The New America: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

Political perceptions are shaping how Americans define value – and it’s not just about price. Today’s consumers demand empathy, convenience, and strategic engagement across life stages.

Gen Z, Millennial Consumers Leading ‘Anti-Algorithm’ Movement

Mintel’s 2026 forecast urges brands to embrace empowered aging, algorithm-free authenticity, and affection-driven design. Food leaders can tap into these shifts to craft experiences that nourish identity, connection, and purpose.

Gen X: The New MVP of Food Industry Spending

Gen Xers may represent the “forgotten generation,” but their loyalty, functionality-first mindset, and $39 trillion inheritance make them a retail force. Ignore their evolving wellness habits and omnichannel expectations at your brand’s peril.

Junior Size Me: 44% of U.S. Adults Now Order Kids Meals

Nearly half of U.S. adults now order kids’ meals, driven by inflation, smaller appetites, and a craving for comfort. Restaurants are responding with nostalgic offerings, downsized portions, and delivery deals to match.

Candy-flation Is No Match for Halloween Cravings

Despite soaring cocoa prices and shifting consumer budgets, Halloween candy sales are anything but scary. Non-chocolate confections and TikTok-fueled innovations are keeping the sweet season alive, even as chocolate feels the squeeze.

Poultry Industry Outlook: Rising Demand Challenged by Disease, Inflation

Wayne-Sanderson Farms CFO T.J. Wolfe discusses inflation, disease, and the tech transforming the poultry industry.

Why AI Is the New Grocery Gatekeeper

AI is fast becoming shoppers’ trusted assistant, especially in grocery. As a result, brands must now master AI algorithms, build trust, and optimize for voice-driven, chatbot-powered discovery.

Gen Z Magnetism Report: Authenticity Often Beats Advertising

Gen Z’s brand loyalty hinges on authentic user-generated content, not legacy clout. Food giants like Oreo and McDonald’s are losing steam – while Disney thrives by treating fans like community, not consumers.

Morning Diners Losing Patience with Restaurants

IHOP tops the list of slowest chains, exposing breakfast service bottlenecks that frustrate time-sensitive morning diners. Experts say understaffed models and flawed labor assumptions are costing chains millions in lost loyalty.

3 Key Takeaways from Groceryshop 2025

At Groceryshop 2025, leaders tackled topics such as value-driven shoppers, evolving retail media, and AI’s seismic impact on grocery. From TikTok disruption to digital twins, the future of food retail is already knocking.

The Top 5 Gen Z Food Trends This Fall, According to Chartwells

This fall, the Gen Z food trends are smoky, global, and TikTok-approved, according to Chartwells’ 2025 campus dining forecast. From ube brunch items to Monster Matcha, flavor innovations are meeting students where they scroll.

Millennials, Gen Z Prefer Functional Foods to Supplements

Millennials and Gen Z are often ditching traditional pill bottles, instead opting for functional foods that blend wellness with daily routines. Brands that deliver science-backed, snackable nutrition are winning over younger consumers.

Tex-Mex Takeover: Moe’s, Chipotle Announce Global Expansion Plans

Chipotle and Moe’s are spicing up global growth with bold Tex-Mex debuts across Asia. Partnerships and localized menus will be key.

Starbucks Gets Behind ‘Proffee’ Craze

Starbucks is diving into the booming “proffee” trend with protein-packed lattes and cold foam, now a permanent menu fixture. As rivals race to meet protein-hungry consumers, functional coffee is brewing billion-dollar growth.

3 Secrets to Attract Gen Z Consumers

Gen Zers crave brands that speak their cultural language, not just sell products. From Oreo’s meme creativity to Doritos’ gamer-friendly tech, authenticity and co-creation are the new path to loyalty.

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 …

Creatine Has Become the Billion-Dollar Darling of the Wellness Aisle

Creatine’s comeback isn’t just for athletes – the supplement is now a $1.1 billion wellness juggernaut. With aging consumers and GLP-1 users fueling demand, food brands are giving the supplement a long look.

Dubai Chocolate Trend Gains Momentum Despite Ongoing Cocoa Crisis

Dubai chocolate’s viral rise is influencing menus worldwide with its craveable crunch and flair. However, climate-driven cocoa and pistachio shortages hint at deeper disruptions for the confectionery industry.

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.

The 10 Best Snacks for Brain Health

Post-pandemic consumers crave mental clarity, but trendy snacks often miss the mark. Experts urge F&B brands to spotlight whole foods, omega-3s, and gut-friendly nutrients to support brain health.

Lights, Camera, Snackin’: The Psychology of ‘Performative Snacking’

Millennials and Gen Z are snacking with style – treating pantry items as identity statements and status symbols. Brands that blend bold packaging with shared values are seizing this flavorful form of modern self-expression.

CPG Giants Pledge to Remove Food Dyes

Over the past few weeks, CPG giants have pledged their support in removing select artificial food dyes in an apparent bid to align their practices with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and …

Purple Craze: Ube Moves from Filipino Tradition to Viral Trend

Once rooted in Filipino comfort food, ube is now infusing menus and retail shelves with color and cultural depth. F&B leaders are embracing it as both a flavor trend and storytelling vehicle.

Tariff Tactics: How Food Brands Are Battling Rising Costs

Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …

The New Rules of Customer Retention: Winning Over Increasingly Disloyal Consumers

Consumers are ditching brand loyalty in favor of value, leaving food businesses scrambling to win repeat visits. Upside’s latest report reveals that personalized incentives – not traditional marketing – are the key to turning uncommitted customers into habitual buyers.

The Future Is Swalty: 3 TikTok Trends Reshaping Food Retail

Viral social media trends can often translate to real-time impacts for brands – and TikTok’s algorithmic pull is particularly strong.

Canadian Cuisine is Gaining Acclaim, from Top Chef to Award-Winning Restaurants

Canadian cuisine is gaining international acclaim, with chefs showcasing The Great White North’s diverse food culture – from Indigenous influences to locally sourced seafood. As culinary innovators tap into Canada’s vast, untapped gastronomic potential, the world is finally taking note.

7-Eleven, Live Nation Partnership Exemplifies Experiential Marketing

7-Eleven is redefining experiential marketing by embedding its brand into live music culture as it works to appeal to to younger consumers.

NGA Takes Aim at Proposed SNAP Cuts, Industry Concerned

The National Grocers Association recently led efforts to urge Congress to reject a proposal that will slash SNAP funding by 20%.

Grocers’ Gen Z Digital Playbook

Grocers are rethinking the shopping experience to engage with Gen Z, which wields $984 billion in spending power and demands digital-infused interactions.

People’s Union USA Kicks Off 7-Day Economic Blackout of General Mills

Recently, People’s Union USA began calling on consumers to boycott products from various businesses in protest of alleged social, economic, and environmental offenses. Monday, participating consumers kicked off a seven-day economic blackout of General Mills.

The True Anti-Inflammation Diet, According to Research

Chronic inflammation has been associated with health issues ranging from anxiety and depression to heart disease and neurodegenerative disorders. Research reveals that the Mediterranean diet, which includes a large quantity of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats like fish and olive oil, shows substantial promise in lowering inflammation markers.

Sticker Shock: 44% of Companies Plan to Pass Tariff Costs to Customers

A new survey by Zilliant reveals that nearly half of businesses plan to pass tariff-related costs onto consumers. As companies navigate tariff-related challenges, transparency with consumers will be critical to maintaining trust and avoiding backlash.

Open Sesame: Tahini Latte Searches Surge 900% on Yelp

After the Maman Salted Tahini Honeycomb Latte and Edith’s Tahini Frozen Cold Brew went viral on social media, Yelp searches for tahini coffee drinks soared. While the plant-based sesame seed paste has been a staple in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries, lately tahini has been carving out a space for itself within the coffee category.

Hot is Hot: Spicy Beverage Flavors Taking Center Stage

The spicy flavor trend is setting the F&B world ablaze, with bold innovations such as hot honey sausage for pizzas and chili-infused ice cream captivating adventurous consumers. These days, the innovation even extends into drink aisles.