Since acquiring Whole Foods for $13.7 billion in 2017, Amazon has been looking to further expand into the $900 billion U.S. grocery industry through its Amazon Fresh stores. And, with online grocery delivery growing about …
In a major merger announced Thursday, Panera Bread joined forces with Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to form Panera Brands. The new group includes more than 4,000 fast-casual restaurants. The pact sent reverberations throughout …
A rise in cases linked to the highly infectious Delta coronavirus variant could result in a new wave of disruptions for the U.S. food industry, particularly in the U.S. Southeast. Less than 35% of the …
Pandemic-related restrictions pushed many people away from restaurants, out of their kitchens, and towards their backyard grills, a small comfort in a most unsettling time. And, whether for a simple change of scenery, a desire …
The hard seltzer market may be falling on hard times. While it may not seem that long ago that beverages like Truly Hard Seltzer were a highlight of many summer get-togethers, the popularity of the …
Vertical farming is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, the evolving form of agriculture has become a multibillion-dollar industry and is expected to reach $12.77 by 2026, growing at a compound annual growth rate …
Among the factors behind soaring agricultural commodity prices this past year has been China’s food imports and its efforts to boost food security. And while pandemic-related supply constraints among exporters grabbed headlines, China has been …
In today’s omnichannel world, customer loyalty is difficult to earn and just as tough to maintain. With that, keeping pace with customers’ evolving tastes is an undeniably tall task. These issues were analyzed recently during …
The statistics are staggering. According to a recent poll conducted by job site Monster.com, 95% of respondents were “currently considering changing jobs,” and 92% said they’d switch industries to get a new job. The top …
Chick-fil-A was rated America’s top fast-food restaurant for a seventh straight year, according to the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI), which provides customer satisfaction benchmarks for major companies in the foodservice sector. At the …
Two-thirds of Americans plan to return to normal Independence Day celebrations this weekend, according to Numerator. So, as pandemic restrictions ease and Americans resume their Fourth of July traditions, The Food Institute takes a closer …
Jason Dorsey knows it’s not easy to keep up with all the evolving forms of social media. Nevertheless, the Gen Z expert feels it’s time to embrace marketing on TikTok, a social network which has …
While consumers have a general understanding of how Amazon.com disrupted the retail landscape, most probably don’t know how the company’s signature sales event, Prime Day, also forced the industry to pivot. And with e-commerce sales …
Despite the rapid growth of social media, many companies are just beginning to grasp the power of influencers, noted Kevin Brown, the chief marketing officer of Onbe, a payments partner for several brands. “To build …
Youthful consumers that comprise “Generation Z” are becoming a powerful economic force. The group — comprised of preteens, teens, and young adults – is now 2.5 billion strong. Jason Dorsey, a keynote speaker and co-author …
While The Food Institute has previously explored some NASA-inspired innovations in the agriculture industry, we’re going to stay somewhat closer to Earth and take a deeper dive into how The Internet of Things (IoT) has …
On countless occasions during her career, Kerrie Lopez wished she had analytics to back up an idea. That said, Lopez, the head of merchandising marketing with Thrive Market, is careful not to rely on analytics …
As COVID-19 eases in the U.S., retailers are preparing for business in a new, post-pandemic paradigm. Here are some recent highlights: Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day always has a big impact on the company’s …
Today’s corporate leaders have a much different perspective on business than the CEOs of generations past. Gone is the mentality of profits at all costs and a general disdain for anything that cuts into the …
In 2021, demand has been intense for pet food. And it makes sense, considering Americans are pampering pets like never before. Consider: adoption rates at U.S. animal shelters jumped as much as 40% in 2020 …
The modern concept of vertical farming was put forth in 1999 by Columbia University microbiologist Dickson Despommier, who along with his students, came up with a design of a skyscraper farm that could feed 50,000 people. …
Since the beginning of the year, foot traffic to U.S. food and beverage establishments is up 41 percent, according to Zenreach data. And with the weather getting nicer, vaccinations on the rise, and dining limitations slowly being lifted, restaurant traffic continues to soar. Restaurant …
Big-box retailers have reported surprisingly strong first-quarter results as consumers – with more money from stimulus checks and rising optimism about a return to normal life – spent more in-store and online as COVID-19 cases fell and vaccination rates increased. And, while Walmart posted sector-leading earnings that surged past Wall Street estimates …
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down restaurants’ labor shortage, mask mandates, and the plant-based protein market. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – May 20, …
Matt Thomas didn’t found his company, Brew Dr., thinking he would someday sell kombucha that’s infused with hemp derived CBD. In fact, in 2021, CBD-infused products still only make up roughly one-tenth of 1% of …
As if the lingering pandemic hasn’t caused enough headaches for restaurant operators, a new issue has emerged: Cicadas – lots and lots of cicadas. For the past 17 years, so-called Brood X cicadas have slowly …
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the impact of inflation, oat milk’s surge in popularity, rising consumption of coffee, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast …
Kerry Group recently released its 2021 Taste Trends report, highlighting food and beverage trends that are gaining traction in several regions worldwide. The annual report aims to highlight the key ingredients and tastes currently influencing …
Cryptocurrency is more than just a financial news talking point. It has real-world applications that are now being implemented in the food industry. And while the sky-high stock prices of crypto companies like Bitcoin and …
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down record beef and pork exports, the persistent chicken wing shortage, Kroger’s new drone delivery program, and more. To listen, click the play/arrow …
Restaurants throughout America are dealing with a frustrating shortage of chicken wings that shows no signs of slowing. This has pushed executive chefs like Dan Miles to do what was previously unthinkable: either sell a …
Most consumers recognize the importance of addressing climate change. What may not be top of mind, however, is food waste’s impact on climate change. When food is wasted, so is the water, fuel and other resources that were used …
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the latest innovations in plant-based protein, a predicted slump for delivery apps, millennials’ favorite brands, and more. To listen, click the play/arrow button …
With Memorial Day around the corner and signs of the pandemic easing, the alcoholic beverage industry is gearing up for summer and beyond. Here are some recent highlights and innovations from the sector. Champagne sales are popping Whether it’s for meeting up with friends and loved ones in person or …
While COVID-19 has kept celebrities off the red carpet, a number of product collaborations, endorsements and corporate finance endeavors have kept them in the spotlight. And while star power has certainly proven to be a …
In the first installment of The Food Institute’s quick-hitting news podcast, we break down the trend of major food companies raising prices, worsening drought conditions in the western U.S., meatpacker JBS’ move into the plant-based …
