Fiber is emerging as the next big functional battleground, but its complexity – and consumer confusion – means brands must balance tolerability and transparency. As GLP 1 users and wellness seekers drive demand, smart formulation and clearer education will separate leaders from laggards.
Corned beef prices are up 44% from 2020, pushing St. Patrick’s Day meal costs higher for both consumers and operators. Even so, restaurants and bars still expect strong traffic this Tuesday, as Americans indulge in reliably lucrative holiday traditions.
Frozen pizza is booming, with consumers flocking to globally inspired flavors, new crust styles, and restaurant quality innovation. As indulgence rebounds and mash ups surge, brands that push creativity in the freezer aisle stand to win big.
Colorectal cancer is rising sharply in adults under 50, with unclear causes but growing links to diet, lifestyle, and environmental exposure. Experts urge earlier screening and renewed scrutiny of ultra‑processed foods, alcohol, and other risk factors shaping consumer health.
As pricing volatility, supply chain disruptions, and extreme weather plague the cocoa industry, manufacturers are continuing to explore innovations like cell-cultured technology and cocoa-free alternatives. However, some consumers believe that cell-cultured chocolate is “artificial,” signaling that more education is needed.
Restaurants are no stranger to challenges, and the labor environment has forced leaders to rethink how they build high-performing teams. Piada Italian Street Food VP Corban Nichols explores key considerations to build better businesses.
Celsius has evolved into a bona fide energy drink heavyweight, yet its stock still whipsaws like a speculative upstart. Investors remain torn over brand momentum, margin pressure, and whether Alani and Rockstar can deliver durable, Monster level staying power.
According to a report released today, Americans are swapping drip coffee for canned caffeine, as rising bean prices push consumers toward energy drinks, diet sodas, and premium barista beverages. The shift signals both price sensitivity on everyday brews and a willingness to splurge on café indulgences.
RBC Capital Markets Managing Director Nik Modi breaks down what has — and hasn’t — changed in the food and beverage industry since mid-2025.
Office workers are eating out more but remain underserved, creating a wide open lane for restaurants that can deliver protein rich, fiber forward, globally inspired lunches at a $12–$15 price point. Operators who design specifically for repeat weekday demand can turn office lunch into a high frequency growth engine.
Expo West 2026 showcased consumers’ growing demand for products that merge clean ingredients, functional benefits, and nostalgic delight. Brands winning the moment are using wellness claims to stay relevant.
Food M&A is shifting from volume to surgical, synergy driven deals, as buyers chase premium, health-oriented brands and under-used operational assets. With credit conditions easing and PE circling, 2026 could reignite consolidation – just with far sharper discipline.
Expo West 2026 signaled a high‑stakes shift as functional snacking and hydration surged, fueled by GLP‑1 consumers and a booming $342 billion natural products market. Yet a counter‑trend toward simple, indulgent “no‑function-needed” treats shows shoppers still crave joy.
Deal activity never found its footing last year, finishing at its lowest level since 2020 and well below market forecasts; however, sentiment is beginning to turn. As firms look ahead to 2026, we are seeing signs of re-engagement that could mark a pivot away from the caution that defined much of the past year.
NA beer is shifting from hype to habit as growth slows but consumer commitment deepens, driven by health minded Gen Z and demand for better flavor and clarity. The category’s future hinges on expanding drinking occasions – not replacing traditional beer.
Tariff rulings are throwing U.S. supply chains into flux, with courts, Congress, and the White House reshaping which duties stand, as well as which may be refunded. Food and beverage leaders now face a volatile import landscape that demands documentation, contract reviews, and constant vigilance.
Walmart’s slight stock dip masks a powerhouse retailer that continues to out-execute rivals, expand margins, and hold its ground against Amazon’s scale. Its trillion-dollar valuation reflects a business so strong that investors now question how much higher it can climb.
Sweet proteins may be 1,000 times sweeter than sugar, but they don’t spike blood glucose, and food-tech startups are betting big on their future. With FDA clearances rolling in and fermentation scaling up, these novel ingredients could reshape sugar reduction strategies across the industry.
Manufacturers are zeroing in on several science-backed functional ingredients – from soluble fibers to botanical extracts – that can support metabolic health. The shift signals a growing industry push toward proactive, nutrient-dense formulations.
From a financial perspective, the performance of Albertsons is very much in the eye of the beholder.
In recent years, food delivery has become a fixed expense for weekly food budgets, taking market share from in-store grocery, dining out, and traditional takeout needs. At the same time, consumers have become more “cash-strapped.” …
Gen Alpha is reshaping school dining as students demand more choice, all‑day breakfast, and hands‑on food experiences. Chartwells K12 is turning those preferences into menu innovation and wellness programs that hint at where the next generation’s eating habits are headed.
Competition from less expensive weight-loss drugs has prompted Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk A/S to announce cuts to pricing for GLP-1 products Wegovy and Ozempic. Novo’s GLP-1s will cost $675 a month across the board, down …
Snapple is leaning into ’90s nostalgia with retro packaging and new flavors as Keurig Dr Pepper tries to revive the brand for Gen Z. Experts say authenticity – not flashy redesigns – will determine whether the comeback sticks in today’s health minded market.
Wendy’s is scrambling to reverse a steep sales slide, abandoning 2025 growth goals to refocus on basics, value, and franchisee execution. But history suggests its premium-leaning identity may struggle in a price-sensitive market.
Recalls surged to a nine year high in 2025, as weaker processes, globalized supply chains, and sharper detection systems exposed widespread gaps in quality control. Experts feel that only renewed effort in audits, traceability, and accountability will stem the tide.
Outdated robots sitting under tarps have become a cautionary symbol for manufacturers wary of stranded automation investments. A recent FI webinar explored how flexible, phased deployment models may help food processors modernize operations without creating a future scrap heap.
Foodservice marketers are drowning in data, but winning teams cut through the noise by building trusted, repeatable operator level insights that sales can actually use. Precision targeting is becoming the real competitive edge in foodservice growth.
New global data shows whole‑food, plant‑based diets consistently cut grocery costs, challenging long‑held perceptions of premium pricing. The findings open fresh opportunities for food companies and operators to reprice, reposition, and profit from affordable plant‑forward offerings.
Restaurant operators remain mostly upbeat despite softer consumer spending, doubling down on experience and targeted marketing to stay competitive. But with price sensitivity rising, diners are demanding value, consistency and richer engagement before they choose where to eat.
Shoppers convinced inflation is spiraling are flocking to value-driven grocers, supercharging private label growth and digital deal hunting. Walmart is capitalizing on the shift, posting record penetration and momentum that’s redefining the competitive grocery landscape.
Hormel is riding the protein boom and snack as meals craze, doubling down on value and global flavors. With AI insights and a premium to budget portfolio, the processor is aggressively positioning itself for fragmented, omnichannel consumers.
Strikes continue to ripple through the food and beverage sector in 2026 as workers push for fair pay, safer conditions, and lawful bargaining. For employers, proactive engagement and genuine trust-building may be the only real antidotes to escalating labor unrest.
Food makers are bracing for another wave of inflation as tariffs, supply disruptions, and ingredient shortages push companies like McCormick, Hershey, and Conagra to raise prices. Executives warn this is only the opening act, with broader increases likely as cost pressures ripple through the industry.
