Once valued at over $15 billion, Oatly’s market capitalization has plummeted by 98% due to poor execution in expanding production and mounting financial losses. Its sluggish growth in plant-based products makes Oatly’s future murky, according to FI’s resident stock expert.
The bipartisan reintroduction of the Hot Foods Act aims to modernize SNAP policies by allowing participants to purchase hot, prepared meals. This legislative change, strongly backed by industry leaders, could open new avenues for the food sector to meet the evolving needs of over 42 million Americans.
While inflation and global trade challenges have pressured the grocery market, specialty foods remain resilient.
Innovative brands in the alt-protein space are combining multiple technologies to create better products. By integrating methods like precision fermentation and enzymatic cross-linking, these companies are solving major pain points in taste, texture, and affordability.
If you’ve flown in the past few years, you’ve likely run into a poor customer experience on an airline: albeit from overworked staff trying their best, delayed and canceled flights, more turbulence, and smaller seats. …
Castillo Hermanos has made a bold $1.5 billion move to acquire Harvest Hill Beverage Company, home to brands like SunnyD. While SunnyD’s surprising sales growth defies health-conscious trends, Castillo Hermanos plans to leverage evolving consumer needs and Harvest Hill’s infrastructure to unlock growth opportunities.
Facing a volatile egg market, the USDA is leveraging global partnerships to stabilize U.S. supplies amid sanitation challenges, bird flu impacts, and tariff threats, with egg imports from countries like Turkey and South Korea. Complex trade opportunities remain for food industry leaders to navigate.
As food delivery apps make fresh meals just a tap away and younger diners prioritize experiences over portion sizes, the once-revered doggie bag is fading into obscurity. Experts feel shifting social norms and portion fatigue are driving the trend.
Tariffs rattled the stock market, leading to a sharp overall decline, yet food industry stocks like McDonald’s demonstrated resilience, buoyed by their perceived safety in economic downturns. This reaction highlights the food sector’s potential advantages in navigating recessionary environments.
Fresh tariff legislation is reshaping the food industry’s landscape, with skyrocketing costs and logistical hurdles threatening the flow of fresh produce across North America. To thrive in this era of uncertainty, businesses must embrace innovation, leveraging automated tools and real-time data to adapt swiftly and maintain supply chain efficiency.
The battle between private label and name brands has taken a new form as analysts portend a stagnating global own brand market. The path ahead relies on innovation and retail portfolio synergy, NIQ noted.
With food-related holidays happening almost daily, brands are capitalizing on events like National Burrito Day (April 3) to drive sales, boost loyalty program engagement, and introduce gamified promotions. Restaurants from Chipotle to Taco Bell are taking advantage, rolling out limited-time deals.
After purchasing discount retailer Family Dollar for roughly $9 billion in 2015, Dollar Tree admitted defeat in a recent sale earlier this month that valued the banner at only $1 billion. Is this a signal …
Dairy-free cheese maker Violife debuted a line of lentil-based coffee creamers, Violife Supreme Coffee Creamers. To spread the word, the brand launched Creamy Confessions, a nationwide ad campaign featuring a series of reality TV stars, social media influencers, and online content creators.
The “3:45 Dinner” trend is gaining momentum as parents embrace earlier mealtimes to curb post-school hunger, prevent evening tantrums, and simplify family routines. With growing consumer demand for early dining, restaurants have a prime opportunity on their hands.
A list of the most innovative food businesses for 2025 highlights companies reshaping the restaurant and foodservice landscape. Mediterranean chain Cava topped the list for its focus on in-person experiences, proving that hospitality and human connection are just as vital as efficiency in the evolving food industry.
Stricter immigration policies are set to worsen labor shortages in the restaurant industry, driving wages up by as much as $3 per hour and putting financial pressure on operators, according to industry data. Many mid-tier and independent establishments could face closures as a result.
The Las Vegas Convention Center became the epicenter of the pizza world this week, as it hosted the International Pizza Expo. The event highlighted the latest, greatest, and most innovative pizza ingredients.
Non-alcoholic wines, such as alcohol-removed Sauvignon Blanc, are growing in popularity as more consumers aim to moderate or eliminate alcohol consumption. Despite challenges in replicating the complexity of traditional wines, innovations in production methods are driving opportunities in NA wine.
Extravagant MLB concession stand foods have become as American as apple pie. On the official opening day of the Major League Baseball campaign, FI breaks down the wildest concession stand items in 2025 – from massive tiramisu orders at Yankee Stadium to dyed corn dogs in Seattle.
The 2025 Bar & Restaurant Expo featured celebrity chefs, expert mixologists, and food suppliers. Key themes included authenticity, “unreasonable hospitality,” and organically growing and cultivating a staff.
Retail media networks are evolving from data gatekeepers into comprehensive media companies. This transformation is prompting marketers to rethink ad strategies as RMNs push for larger brand commitments and integrate advanced media formats like video and shoppable content.
As better-for-you salad chains stagnate, they take on novel growth strategies to complement ambitious expansion strategies. Sweetgreen and Just Salad are two major chains endeavoring to take on new consumer need states.
The plant-based food industry may have found a way through its stagnation. A recent report found consumers increased their plant-based purchases throughout 2024, a signal of a healthy year ahead. Nutpods CMO Patrick Coyle recommended brands in the sector strike the right balance between “value” and “values.”
Gen Z consumers demand authenticity from brands, viewing them as extensions of their personal identity. One restaurant consultant notes that, to capture Gen Z’s loyalty, businesses must align with their values and leverage micro-influencers for genuine connections.
Upcycled citrus waste offers many benefits over traditional petroleum-based plastic for packaging purposes. However, barriers to adoption are high, particularly regarding regulatory and safety challenges.
The FDA recently delayed the compliance date for a fiercely debated section of the Food Safety Modernization Act which requires additional record-keeping requirements for “high-risk” foods. Overall, the industry is pleased with the decision.
A recent report from NCS Solutions shows that nearly 50% of Americans are trying to reduce their alcohol consumption in 2025, with Gen Z leading the movement. Bill Shufelt, CEO of Athletic Brewing Company, highlighted the rapid growth of the non-alcoholic sector, driven by health-conscious trends, at the recent UBS Global Consumer and Retail Conference.
Immunity-boosting products are gaining traction as consumers seek long-term wellness solutions, driving F&B brands to innovate with nutrient-dense offerings. The market is expected to grow at a 9% CAGR through 2028 and offers ample business opportunities.
Despite high awareness, only a small fraction of consumers understand and consistently pay premiums for regenerative agriculture products, highlighting significant psychological and economic barriers. However, with increased crop yields and profits for farmers and the potential for nutrient-rich produce, the industry stands on the brink of transformative growth.
Companies like PepsiCo face long-term challenges, particularly with the declining consumption of soda. PepsiCo is attempting to get ahead of competitors with its acquisition of prebiotic soda brand Poppi. Still, obstacles line its path, according to one financial analyst.
After being fired in 2008, Melissa Ben-Ishay founded Baked By Melissa, transforming her home-based cupcake baking into a successful business with 14 locations. Known for its innovative flavors and high-quality standards, the company has avoided acquisitions to maintain brand integrity.
The proposed tariffs by the Trump administration on Mexico and Canada are expected to significantly increase fresh produce costs in the U.S.
New research suggests that those who consistently replace animal-based fats with plant-based oils may have a lower rate of total mortality, as well as lower mortality from cancer and cardiovascular disease. After accounting for control variables, researchers found that the group with the highest butter intake had a 15% higher total mortality risk than the group with the lowest intake.
Wendy’s has set aspirational financial goals for the next few years and is leveraging innovative practices to achieve them. Capitalizing on various dayparts with compelling value propositions and tapping collaborations are key tools the brand is using to achieve a new era of growth.
Oklahoma’s proposed Senate Bill 4 aims to ban several synthetic additives, including aspartame, due to growing health concerns, and would take effect on November 1 if passed. The legislation reflects increasing scientific evidence of the additives’ potential health risks.
