Pumpkin spice season is starting earlier, with Yelp searches for pumpkin spice lattes surging 301%. Starbucks, Hershey, and other CPG brands are bringing fall flavors to coffee, retail, and snack aisles weeks ahead of schedule.
Instacart leads third-party grocery delivery with 58% market share, but competition from Walmart, Amazon, DoorDash, and Uber has made investors wary. The company’s growth, retail partnerships, advertising business, and market dominance also face increasing pressure.
Coffee prices are rising despite record global production forecasts, while Super El Niño and higher costs could keep prices elevated.
Peptide demand is moving faster than the science and regulation behind it. A recent FDA advisory vote could make that gap even more consequential.
McKinney’s 2026 F&B trends report finds consumers shifting from “goblin mode” to “pilot mode,” as they often try to take more control of their daily choices, focusing on small, actionable ways to improve their life.
A new report revealed some ominous findings for bar owners. A survey by The Harris Poll found that 68% of Gen Z adults feel going out simply isn’t worth the cost these days. The report …
Applebee’s faces a casual-dining crossroads as inflation-weary consumers demand value and differentiated experiences. The legacy casual-dining chain is betting on menu innovation and dual-branding to regain relevance.
Ranch’s global popularity is opening new opportunities for brands, from Poppin’ Ranch and swicy flavors to cleaner-label innovations, despite salad-related cyclospora concerns.
Domino’s is betting on solo dining with its new Detroit-style Domino pizza, targeting customizable, portable occasions as pizza competition intensifies across QSR, convenience, foodservice and retail markets.
Cereal brands are betting on nostalgia as sales decline, bringing cereal toys back to the box to drive CPG demand.
Sweetgreen’s 2026 struggles expose deeper challenges in restaurant traffic and pricing. As inflation pressures affordability, the salad chain’s pivot to lower-priced wraps raises questions about its growth and future.
Krispy Kreme and other doughnut chains face pressure as GLP-1 adoption, protein-focused diets, and value-conscious consumers impact demand. Beverage-led strategies and menu innovation are emerging as critical growth drivers for doughnut businesses.
Restaurant operators face mounting workforce uncertainty as Temporary Protected Status rulings complicate I-9 compliance, E-Verify deadlines and hiring. The evolving immigration landscape could deepen foodservice labor shortages, raising operational risks for QSRs, restaurants and hospitality employers.
Barrière has transformed lactase into tiny pieces of wearable art… but do they actually work? Two lactose-intolerant ‘guinea pigs’ put the wellness brand’s discreet, stylish Dear Dairy patches to the test.
Gen Z’s demand for protein, convenience, and 20-minute meals is boosting shrimp’s appeal, creating opportunities for CPG, retail, and foodservice brands to win with simple recipes, cooking education, and confidence-building marketing targeting younger consumers.
Jersey Mike’s muted IPO reflects valuation concerns and fast-casual market sentiment, not weak fundamentals. Despite slowing same-store sales amid inflation, the QSR chain’s franchise model, strong unit economics, and expansion runway continue to attract long-term investors.
The USDA is racing to deploy NovoFly against the New World screwworm as the livestock pest threatens cattle producers and meat supply chains.
A forecast Super El Niño could lift global food prices significantly, disrupting CPG, retail and foodservice supply chains as coffee, cocoa, wheat, rice and other key commodities face weather-driven production and logistics risks.
Federal Colorado River water cuts could disrupt U.S. food supply, raising inflation risks as reduced irrigation threatens agricultural output.
Kearney finds quick commerce is accelerating CPG and grocery retail, with AI, predictive analytics and 30-minute delivery fueling impulse purchases.
JAMBAR founder and PowerBar co-creator Jennifer Maxwell is linking CPG, retail, and community engagement through a partnership with a California outdoor amphitheater, highlighting how purpose-driven brand alliances can strengthen brand visibility.
New Yelp research challenges four Gen Z myths, finding younger consumers prioritize authentic reviews, value pricing, and thorough research over influencers or AI, offering fresh insights into purchasing behavior and marketing.
Consumers increasingly want to support small businesses, but inflation is making that harder. A new Constant Contact report explores how SMBs are using AI, social media, and authentic content to compete.
CORE’s rebrand reflects expanding opportunities across foodservice, CPG, retail and beverage, as the Acosta Group agency uses AI, culinary expertise and strategic partnerships to help manufacturers, distributors and QSR operators accelerate sales and menu innovation. Sponsored by Acosta Group agency CORE
New HHS dietary guidelines boost protein, but data show consumers remain confused about healthy eating and concerned about food costs, creating challenges and opportunities for CPG, retail, grocery, foodservice, GLP-1, and nutrition brands.
Cracker Barrel’s CEO exit highlights how inflation, restaurant traffic declines, pricing strategy, brand identity, and execution—not just a failed logo change—challenged the casual dining chain’s turnaround, offering key lessons for business leaders.
U.S. trade policies are changing faster than supply chains can handle, putting economic pressure on the food and beverage industry, experts told The Food Institute. And there’s no end in sight.
Restaurant hiring “ghosting” is costing businesses thousands, with 60% of candidates now disappearing after job offers.
Convenience now tops health as a grocery purchase driver, creating new opportunities for CPG, retail, and foodservice brands. From protein-rich grab-and-go meals to GLP-1-friendly portions, speed, value, and taste are driving food and beverage innovation.
The FDA is reviewing caffeine-content labeling as energy drinks surge, signaling potential compliance changes for beverage brands. Experts urge companies to improve transparency now to reduce regulatory and litigation risks later.
A report by Restaurant365 revealed AI is widening a restaurant profitability gap in 2026, with AI-powered foodservice operators reporting lower labor and food costs.
What fuels healthy aging? A lifelong marathoner shares habits centered on Mediterranean eating, gardening, and exercise, highlighting consumer demand for minimally processed foods and wellness opportunities across CPG and retail.
New Circana findings reveal how GLP-1, protein demand, private label, and TikTok Shop are influencing CPG snack innovation, retail merchandising, and foodservice growth as consumers prioritize functional nutrition and value.
The traditional convenience store visit is disappearing. From computer vision and agentic AI to purchases made directly at the pump, new technology is helping C-stores reduce friction, shorten wait times, and offer more perks to consumers.
‘Grandmacore’ dining is emerging as a powerful foodservice trend, as diners seek nostalgic comfort foods tied to emotional eating and connection.
