Focus Archive

Gen Alpha’s ‘Pester Power’ is Fueled by YouTube

YouTube’s stealth food marketing is supercharging Gen Alpha’s “pester power,” blurring the line between entertainment and influence. As parasocial bonds deepen, brands gain unprecedented access to young appetites – often without parental awareness.

The Top 5 Flavors Taking Over Fall

Fall flavor innovation is heating up as brands blend nostalgia with novelty – think cranberry punch, chai spice, and pumpkin chipotle. With 66% of consumers shifting food habits, the time appears right to capture seasonal cravings.

Move Over, Uncrustables – Pro Athletes Are Reaching for Rice Krispies Treats

Recent research has revealed that endurance athletes can improve their performance by consuming significantly more carbohydrates than previously advised, prompting a surge in energy gel sales. However, many athletes are reaching for a cheaper – and tastier – alternative found in kids’ lunch boxes.

Energy Drinks Put ‘Value’ Back in ‘Value Proposition’

Energy drinks are thriving as price-conscious consumers pivot from costly coffee to functional, flavorful alternatives. With wellness claims and nostalgic flavors, the category is stealing share from traditional caffeine formats.

New and Next by Nestlé: TOMA Brand Gathering Momentum

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.

Plant-Based Dairy Defies Category Trends

Plant-based dairy is driving the next generation of plant-based growth through innovations in milk, yogurt, and cheese, eclipsing plant-based meat’s claim on the market. Despite yogurt and cheese’s modest menu penetration, they represent the fastest growers in the category.

The Rise of Dirty Soda: A Trend Taking the Beverage Industry by Storm

The “dirty soda” trend continues to be a phenomenon in the beverage industry, driven by social media and the desire for customization and unique experiences, particularly among Gen Z consumers. This trend has seen a 270% increase in social conversations over the past year.

Brands Are Dying to Work with Liquid Death

Despite its ghoulish aesthetics, Liquid Death’s community is surprisingly wide: “people drink things and they like to laugh,” adroitly summarized Liquid Death creative VP Andy Pearson in an interview with The Food Institute. This has …

Taco Bell Digs Deeper With Nostalgia-Fueled Menu Revival

Taco Bell is revamping last year’s Decades Menu with a Y2K spin, featuring iconic menu items from 2001-2010. The overt play for nostalgia has been effective for the QSR chain in the past, and this year it’s doing more to support the initiative.

5 Things to Know About the New World Screwworm

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, is threatening livestock across the Americas, with a human case confirmed in Maryland. USDA is racing to contain the pest before it bites into U.S. food security and cattle profits.

Unraveling the Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on F&B

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act spices up tax strategy for F&B businesses, unlocking R&D credits and full depreciation on production investments. Tip and overtime tax breaks sweeten the deal for frontline staff.

Food & Beverage M&A Report: 1H 2025

This article is sponsored and written by CohnReznick. The first half of 2025 showed that even in a cautious market, strategic dealmaking in manufacturing and distribution (M&D) is far from slowing down. With new tax incentives, ...

Sweetgreen Plunges, And the Question Is Why

Sweetgreen’s stock nosedived after dismal Q2 results, reigniting doubts about its scalability and consumer appeal. Management blames execution and macro headwinds – but investors may be losing faith in the salad chain’s long-term promise.

Beyond Meat on the Verge of Financial Ruin

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.

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Macro, Tariffs May be All That Can Stop Walmart

Walmart’s Q2 sales crushed expectations, but tariffs and health costs trimmed profits. Grocery and fresh categories surged, signaling strong share gains, even as the retailer braces for a murky, margin-pinched second half.

The Top 3 Flavors Influencing Product Launches

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.

Spinach, Lettuce Get the Inflation Treatment

Spinach and lettuce prices spiked dramatically in July, with producer prices rising over 130% month over month due to tariffs, labor shortages, and climate-related stress. As fresh vegetable inflation accelerates, analysts warn of looming price hikes for consumers and intensified strain on the produce supply chain.

Sweet Science: How CRISPR Could Future-Proof Cacao

CRISPR is rewriting the rules of agriculture, offering precision DNA edits to boost crop resilience and flavor. Mars and Pairwise are leading the charge, targeting cacao to weather climate and supply chain storms.

Investors See Long-Term Risk for Fast-Casual Chains

Fast-casual giants Chipotle and Cava are losing investor confidence after steep post-earnings stock drops. Rising costs, flat traffic, and pricing fatigue signal deeper concerns about the fast-casual segment as a whole.

How AI is Transforming Food Supply Chains

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.

Hive Mentality: U.S. Honey Consumption Sets Record

Honey is having a moment – U.S. consumption hit a record 688.6 million pounds in 2024, driven by health-conscious, eco-savvy consumers. But rising demand may strain bee populations and invite counterfeit sweeteners.

Ultra-Processed Foods: Harmful vs. Helpful

Americans get over half their calories from ultra-processed foods. New research, guidelines, and expert advice offer a roadmap for healthier eating habits.