In late 2025, premiumization has come to mean clarity, convenience, and storytelling. From blockchain packaging to sashimi-grade salmon, premium brands winning trust are those turning transparency and narratives into irresistible consumer experiences.
Pizza Hut’s nostalgia is fading as sales slump and Yum! Brands weighs a possible divestiture. Experts say streamlined delivery, sharper value messaging, and personalized loyalty could be critical to reclaiming ground from Domino’s and rivals.
Fiber and metabolic eating are poised to eclipse protein and fasting in 2026, reshaping diet trends. GLP-1 drug influence and global flavors will drive menus toward nutrient density, smaller portions, and adventurous health-forward dining.
Retail media is evolving fast, and streaming platforms are the new battleground. With managed services and precision targeting, even small food brands can now play big in the personalized, data-driven media landscape of 2025.
Michelob Ultra didn’t just sell beer, it sold a lifestyle, and now it’s America’s best-selling beer, by volume. Its secret, according to marketing experts? Relentless consistency, wellness-driven branding, and staying in its lane.
Mintel’s 2026 forecast urges brands to embrace empowered aging, algorithm-free authenticity, and affection-driven design. Food leaders can tap into these shifts to craft experiences that nourish identity, connection, and purpose.
Despite investor jitters and industry shakeouts, Impossible Foods founder Patrick Brown recently told FI he remains bullish on alt-meat’s future. With tech advancements and health-driven messaging, plant-based protein may yet win over skeptical consumers.
At this week’s Transform Food and Agriculture USA event, industry leaders tackled inflation, AI, and the protein boom with cautious optimism. From pineapple byproducts to predictive tech, the future of food appears to be leaner and considerably more sustainable.
In 2025, restaurants are battling inflation and labor woes with smarter tech and sharper marketing. Toast’s latest survey shows operators leaning into AI, efficiency, and guest experience to protect profitability.
From sourdough to zero-sugar energy drinks, 2026’s expected food trends blend indulgence with wellness. Flatbreads, protein-packed snacks, and air-fried favorites signal a shift toward gut-friendly, cost-conscious innovation.
The Chi-Chi’s restaurant chain is back, revived by the founder’s son with scratch-made Tex-Mex and a nostalgia-fueled equity campaign. With sold-out reservations and $2.3M raised, expansion plans are already in motion.
AI is fast becoming shoppers’ trusted assistant, especially in grocery. As a result, brands must now master AI algorithms, build trust, and optimize for voice-driven, chatbot-powered discovery.
Breakfast is losing its sizzle for many restaurants, as diners skip morning meals amid shifting habits. But with smart value strategies, restaurant brands still have a shot at reclaiming the morning crowd.
As budget-conscious diners trade down, QSRs face a traffic slump while casual-dining chains surge with value bundles. The winners? Brands that nail the value equation in a fiercely discerning dining economy.
Restaurant menu prices are climbing, with burgers, wings, and burritos leading the charge amid rising ingredient costs. New data reveals inflation’s bite is hitting both entrees and profits.
From prebiotic sodas to clean-label meat sticks, 2025’s fastest-growing F&B brands are rewriting the rules of consumer engagement. Authenticity, health-forward innovation, and bold storytelling are fueling the brands’ momentum.
CEO turnover is accelerating as boardroom patience thins, and economic headwinds intensify. In 2025, only the bold, empathetic, and fast-moving F&B leaders survive the pressure cooker of modern corporate leadership.
Garage Beer, backed by NFL stars and Taylor Swift buzz, is gunning for shelf space in a margin-thin market. But without distributor loyalty and retail muscle, this celebrity-fueled brand may fizzle fast, according to industry insiders.
Logan’s Roadhouse is red hot as of late, using $11.99 value meals and a top-ranked customer experience to outpace competitors. The steak chain’s comeback proves that consistency and affordability beat flash in the eyes of modern consumers.
TOMA, a fast-growing Latin American food brand founded by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara and his mother, actress Sofia Vergara, is revolutionizing the handheld food space with premium empanadas and other authentic offerings. The brand is reshaping consumer expectations of Latin cuisine by making it accessible and convenient.
Creatine’s comeback isn’t just for athletes – the supplement is now a $1.1 billion wellness juggernaut. With aging consumers and GLP-1 users fueling demand, food brands are giving the supplement a long look.
Beyond Meat is buckling under financial pressure, with overdue bills and shrinking sales. Despite denying bankruptcy rumors, the company’s pivot to “Beyond” signals a desperate bid to stay relevant in a cooling market.
Flavors like matcha, hot honey, and pickles are surging in 2025, driven by viral trends and nostalgic cravings. Social media-savvy consumers are rewriting the flavor playbook – and retailers are hustling to keep pace.
AI is revolutionizing food supply chains—from predictive maintenance to drone-powered inventory—boosting efficiency, quality, and resilience. But for many, the challenge isn’t potential; it’s cutting through the hype to find real ROI.
Post-pandemic consumers crave mental clarity, but trendy snacks often miss the mark. Experts urge F&B brands to spotlight whole foods, omega-3s, and gut-friendly nutrients to support brain health.
Amid deepening tariff fatigue, F&B leaders brace for prolonged disruption while rethinking sourcing and private-label strategy. With costs rising and margins thinning, industry players are innovating, deploying strategies like alternative sourcing. FI recently gleaned business tips from dozens of industry leaders regarding tariffs.
Gen Z and Millennials are fueling “Summerween,” sparking early seasonal candy sales and viral Halloween-themed celebrations. Brands tapping into this cultural moment are winning attention with creative campaigns and shareable experiences.
Tariffs are reshaping supply chains, squeezing margins, and testing consumer loyalty. In the weeks ahead, food industry leaders will need to pivot quickly, CEOs note.
Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …
Sauces are no longer just a sidekick – they’re driving one of 2025’s biggest food trends, blending bold flavors with convenience and versatility. Food businesses that embrace this shift can captivate consumers and boost sales, according to both chefs and CEOs.
Once dismissed as an oxymoron, healthier ice cream is now a booming category. From high-protein formulas to cutting-edge fat replacers, brands are rethinking indulgence without sacrificing texture.
As retail shelves continue to overflow with healthier-for-you snacks, KIND has launched new branding, with a new packaging initiative looming. One KIND executive told FI the brand aims to evolve to meet consumers’ growing demands for sustainability and health-claims such as “high-protein.”
Despite escalating trade tensions and a growing Canadian consumer boycott of American products, U.S. brands still have opportunities in Canada, particularly in resilient categories like soft drinks. A poll by Leo & Dragon revealed that Millennials and Gen Z consumers remain open to purchasing American goods.
By 2050, the average consumer’s diet will look much different than today, shaped by AI, sustainability, and ethically sourced ingredients. Experts predict that ancient grains, fermented foods, and berries will land on consumers’ plates far more frequently in the future.
Canadian cuisine is gaining international acclaim, with chefs showcasing The Great White North’s diverse food culture – from Indigenous influences to locally sourced seafood. As culinary innovators tap into Canada’s vast, untapped gastronomic potential, the world is finally taking note.
Bold global flavors are captivating the culinary world, with 87% of Gen Z diners craving international tastes like those offered by Minor’s sauces and concentrates. As consumer demand for diverse cuisines surges, such products can help food businesses thrive in the trend-driven market.
