Author: Chris Campbell > Page 5

FI Exclusive: Q&A with Simbe Robotics CEO Brad Bogolea

When it comes to inventory management, few companies are automating the process for retailers like Simbe Robotics. The company’s “Tally” autonomous retail robot scans product inventory on shelves and connects data points to ensure products …

A Primer on Stock Throughput Policies

HUB International’s Kaleigh Kemmerly and CRC Group’s Ted Clayton illuminate the benefits of stock throughput policies for the food industry.

Remembering Bill Bishop

Upon returning from vacation, I was saddened to hear of the passing of Bill Bishop, an industry legend who also happened to be one of the nicest guys I ever met. To be fair, many …

Make No ‘Mis-Steak’: Steakhouse Visits on the Rise

After two years of COVID-related limitations on indoor dining, one segment of the restaurant industry is surpassing pre-pandemic traffic figures: steakhouses. That’s according to a recent report from location analytics firm Placer.ai, which reported growth …

The Frontier of Fermented Foods

The opportunities in fermented food stretch beyond kimchi and sauerkraut, and no one has a better vantage point on this than David Zilber, who heads up fermented food research and development at Chr. Hansen.

Report: QR Code Usage on the Rise for Young Consumers

One of the lasting pandemic-related changes in consumer behavior could be the adoption of the QR code, according to a new FoodBytes report from Datassential. A year ago, just a quarter of consumers had encountered …

A Global Perspective on Inflation and Food Trends

John Church, co-head of HSBC Bank’s food and beverage unit, joins The Food Institute Podcast to discuss everything from wheat markets to foodservice drive-thrus to health and wellness.

Will Consumers Continue to Eat at Home?

City National Bank Managing Director Eric Viergutz and RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Nik Modi join The Food Institute Podcast to discuss changing dining preferences.

Port Delays Continue to Pile Up

Global shipping is likely to take another hit in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The invasion adds a level of complexity to an industry already navigating changing consumer demand, inflation, and the ongoing effects …

Building an ESG Business Case

Building an ESG business case for your food company has never been more important as consumers and investors align with these principles.

Zeroing In on Rising Egg Prices

It’s clear that egg prices rose in the first month of 2022, but determining a definitive cause is a bit more elusive. The price of a dozen large white eggs rose to a national average of $2.08 on Feb. 9, representing a 22.5% increase month-over-month.

Analysis: How Will Canadian Trucker Protests Impact America?

What started as a trucker protest against COVID-19 vaccine mandates has grown to include many Canadians who are also pushing back against the rules, and resulting blockages could threaten an already-strained supply chain. In January, …

In the Trenches with Independent Restaurants

Celebrity chef and restaurant consultant Brian Duffy (Bar Rescue, Date Plate) talks about industry pain points, his experience opening a restaurant during the pandemic, and best practices for treating staff.

A Closer Look at Online Grocery Services

Brick Meets Click partner David Bishop reviews ship-to-home, pick-up, and delivery services, and highlights the best uses and challenges for each option.

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Analysis: Four Top Consumer Delivery Trends from 2021

Since the outset of the pandemic, foodservice delivery companies have become a staple of many American consumers’ habits. While they offered a lifeline to hungry consumers earlier in the pandemic during forced closures, many of …

Sugar Reduction Is Ramping Up

Products featuring no- or low-sugar claims are likely to gain steam during the coming years, as is media scrutiny for all types of sweeteners. These were among the key takeaways from The Food Institute’s recent …

Feds Look to Address U.S. Supply Chain Woes

The Federal Reserve reported that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages plagued many parts of the country in November, leading to rising prices across most of the nation, reported The Associated Press (Dec. 1). With …

Restaurant Acquisitions Remain Red Hot

The sandwich market’s potential appears to be underscored by recent quick-service restaurant acquisitions. In the span of two weeks, a pair of QSR parent companies expanded their culinary offerings via acquisitions of established brands. Restaurant …

Recent M&A Illustrate Resilience of Meat Sector

Although plant-based and cell-cultured meat alternatives are grabbing headlines, the animal protein sector remains robust with plenty of opportunities for mergers and acquisitions, according to Mesirow Managing Director Paul Mariani.

Is Frozen Food’s Hot Streak Starting to Cool?

Although the frozen food aisle showcased a 3% increase in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ending Oct. 17, a 0.5% drop in unit sales indicates demand in the red-hot frozen sector could be cooling, …

Foodservice Distributors Face Challenges Despite Better 2022 Outlook

Although the 2022 prospects for foodservice distributors are on the rise, the industry still faces several challenges, according to Technomic Principal Wade Hanson. Hanson, speaking on a webinar hosted by the International Foodservice Distributors Association …