Focus Archive
Labor Shortages Costly Problem for Restaurants
The fear of immigration raids is now interfering with restaurant operations, leading to chronic restaurant labor shortages.
Survey: Shoppers Want Personalized Pricing, Smarter In Store Media
A recent consumer report by dunnhumby revealed that most shoppers will trade data for relevant ads, but only when trust and timing align. Retailers who blend familiar products with smart recommendations can influence purchases without crossing into intrusive territory.
Survey: Summer 2026 Shopping Will Be Led by Gen Z, Millennials
Young shoppers plan to boost summer spending, and food and beverage tops their list, according to a recent survey, giving retailers a seasonal demand surge to court. Rapid trend cycles and omnichannel habits mean brands need sharper forecasting.
Rising GLP-1 Usage Spikes Demand for Flavorful Sauces, Spices
Sauce makers are poised to win with the new GLP-1 consumer as these shoppers seek out low-calorie, intense flavor experiences. This shift contextualizes the recent sales of Japanese sauce brand Bachan’s and hot sauce maker Tapatío.
In Europe, Gen Z is Redefining Healthy Living
European Gen Zers are reshaping food culture with a sharper focus on clean labels, functional ingredients, and sober curious lifestyles that prioritize long-term well-being. Brands hoping to win over this cohort must pair innovation with credibility as transparency becomes the real differentiator across EU markets.
Cereal Slump: Brands Innovate Against Waning Sales
Cereal aisle sales fell 1.1% year-over-year, shocking the breakfast category. Gradually, consumers are demanding healthier offerings, and brands must rise to meet them.
$300M USDA-Palantir Deal to Improve U.S. Food Security, Ease Farmer Red Tape
The USDA is partnering with Palantir Technologies on a $300M modernization of its farm support systems. The effort aims to simplify how farmers access services while improving data coordination and cybersecurity, highlighting the increasingly integral role of digital infrastructure in managing and protecting the U.S. food supply.
California Requires That Folic Acid be Added to Corn Masa Flour
California’s new folic acid mandate for corn masa flour spotlights a long overlooked gap in national fortification policy. As more states follow, food manufacturers face rising pressure to adapt formulations that better support public health.
Pricier Pints: A Beer Costs HOW Much These Days?!
A recent report shows the cost of beer in the U.S. has climbed to a median price of $6.52. As a result, more consumers are pausing before paying for a pint.
Why the Digital Shelf Label Backlash is History Repeating Itself
Walmart’s sweeping digital shelf label rollout has sparked a familiar debate. The last time retail faced this much resistance to a shelf-level technology, it was called the barcode.
3 Berries Brightening Seasonal Menus
Menu revamps are putting seasonal berries at the center of innovation. Health halo effects, vivid colors, and nostalgic flavors are fueling this trend.
Foodservice Battle: Channel Deep Dive
Circana: Consumers Look to Supplements to Reduce Stress
Consumers are leaning into supplements and “functional indulgence” as they look for stress relief and mood support. Food and beverage brands that spotlight credible adaptogens and familiar flavors can take advantage of the wellness trend.
Mother’s Day 2026 Spending Predicted to Break Record
Mother’s Day spending is set to break records as consumers lean into premium treats and experience driven celebrations. Chocolate emerges as the emotional anchor of the holiday, with dark varieties surging as shoppers seek meaningful yet affordable indulgence.
Pesticide Concerns Grow Ahead of Supreme Court’s Ruling on Roundup
Bayer’s Roundup faced a pivotal Supreme Court showdown on April 27 amid intensifying concerns over cancer-causing pesticides and many produce items showing high levels of pesticide residue, including PFAS, or “forever chemicals,” in a recent report. However, the court was divided on the issue, with a final ruling expected by the end of June.
Why 2026 Could Include the Summer of the Staycation
With gas prices surging past $4 per gallon in many states and the U.S. engaged in a heated conflict with Iran, this could be the summer of the staycation.
BMO: M&A Opportunities Abound in F&B
Coming off a year where food and beverage M&A activity remained relatively stable, 2026 is shaping up to be a strong year for dealmakers. The current market is characterized by fewer, higher transaction deals, with an appetite for disruptive brands.
3 Emerging Innovations in Eco-Friendly Packaging
Sustainable packaging materials are moving from concept to real-world testing as scrutiny of microplastics intensifies. Explore three emerging solutions that show promise, though experts say scalability and cost remain barriers to widespread adoption.
Why the Jersey Mike’s IPO Might Be a Challenge
Jersey Mike’s is gearing up for a splashy IPO as Blackstone seeks a lofty valuation that tests whether investors still crave fast-casual growth stories. Strong unit expansion and a proven operator have converged with a market growing more selective.
The 3 Most Popular Fast-Food Chains in 2026
McDonald’s, Starbucks, and Chick-fil-A dominate U.S. traffic by pairing speed and consistency with sharp cultural relevance, as detailed in a new report. Their mix of operational precision, value messaging, and viral marketing are strengthening customer loyalty even as inflation pressures diners.
Savory = Premium: 3 Flavor Profiles Surpassing Sweetness on Drink Menus
Savory flavors are emerging as a premium signal in beverages, as consumers tire of predictable sweetness and seek layered flavors. Spicy, smoky, and umami profiles are elevating both alcoholic and non alcoholic menus and opening fresh innovation territory for brands.
Foodservice Battle: The Landscape
The ‘Restaurant 2.0’ Shift Reveals a Fractured Dining Landscape
Restaurant loyalty is dwindling as consumers trade brand allegiance for food quality, convenience and a frictionless experience. Tillster’s new survey shows diners are shifting spend to grocery and C stores, signaling that restaurants must elevate experience fast.
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Lamb Weston Is Not the Typical Food Story
Lamb Weston’s current slump stems from a painful mix of commodity style cyclicality and self inflicted operational stumbles. The company is now cutting costs and is focused on fixing execution.
New Tech Driving Food Plant Closures Amid Market Transition
Legacy food factories have been closing as automation, AI, and new compliance demands make older facilities inefficient and costly to operate. Companies are shifting toward contract manufacturing and tech‑enabled, specialized sites to stay flexible.
Restaurant Coffee Prices Jolt Up 5.4 Percent
Coffee prices are climbing faster than the rest of foodservice as weather shocks, labor pressures and commodity speculation squeeze operators. Even premium brews are hitting eye opening levels, signaling more menu inflation ahead for restaurants.
3 Summer Retail Trends to Watch in 2026
Lower income consumers are pulling back from fast food as years of price hikes push QSRs past their affordability threshold. Brands are scrambling to win them back with sharper value plays.
FAO Warns of Global Agrifood Catastrophe
Global fertilizer chokepoints tied to the Strait of Hormuz crisis are putting 2026 crop yields and food inflation at real risk. Industry leaders are being urged to secure inputs early and rethink supply chains before the squeeze truly tightens.
Digital Twins: Agri-Tech’s Secret Weapon
Biofilms rarely make headlines on their own, but the contamination, spoilage, and recalls that they contribute to are part of the roughly $75B that the U.S. loses to foodborne illness every year, according to USDA estimates. Now, food producers are turning to digital twins to identify risks earlier – before they escalate into costly problems.
Big CPG in Big Trouble: Private-Label Gap Is Unsustainable
National brands are becoming more strategic in their battle to reclaim market share from private label and challenger brands. Meanwhile, as store brands capture 24% of the market, they’re leaning on some tactics of their own to support bottom lines.
From Aisles to Appetites: Global Flavors, Authenticity Redefine Grocery Growth
Global flavors are moving from niche to mainstream as shoppers reward retailers that deliver culturally authentic products with real stories and ingredient integrity. Grocers that pair local insight with true global depth are capturing the next wave of growth. Sponsored content from Forvis Mazars.
7-Eleven Learns the Lesson of Economic History
7-Eleven’s new CEO is racing to modernize a sluggish convenience giant while rivals move ahead with fresher food and bigger formats. Store closures and a delayed IPO indicate a deeper overhaul than leadership first expected.
Possible ‘Super El Niño’ Could Further Threaten Food Supply
A potential “Super El Niño” is raising alarms, as experts warn that extreme weather layered onto war-driven energy and fertilizer shocks could squeeze global food supplies. Analysts say even normal U.S. yields may not prevent pricing volatility as climate issues ripple through sourcing and manufacturing.
Mountain Dew Bets on ‘Dirty Soda’ as Brand Expansion Continues
Mountain Dew jumped into the dirty soda craze with a creamy new line aimed at boosting relevance as traditional soda volumes slip. PepsiCo is also doubling down on Baja Blast as a year round sub brand. Will the investments pay off long term?
Food Safety Advocates Demand Faster Recalls
Food safety advocates warn that recalls are slowing even as illness outbreaks tied to raw dairy and other products grow more contentious. With delayed traceability rules and rising corporate pushback, regulators face mounting pressure to modernize oversight.