Fiber is rapidly taking protein’s place as the star of functional food. With rising demand for gut health and metabolic support, as well as a massive nationwide fiber gap, CPG brands have a rare opportunity to lead the next wave of nutrition innovation.
After successive quarters of steepening same-store sales declines, Sweetgreen is offering a $10 deal that may turn its luck around. Critiques of the app’s user experience, and friction from tech-enabled back-end efficiencies may be the source of its turmoil.
In late 2025, premiumization has come to mean clarity, convenience, and storytelling. From blockchain packaging to sashimi-grade salmon, premium brands winning trust are those turning transparency and narratives into irresistible consumer experiences.
Agentic AI is shifting retail from answers to actions – transforming discovery, consideration, and conversion. For food brands, metadata mastery and AI literacy are now imperatives.
Subway’s revived Sub Club promises free subs and flashy perks, but franchisees warn of profit risks. The loyalty gamble highlights the tension between corporate marketing ambitions and operators’ bottom-line realities.
Restaurants are cashing in on branded merch this holiday season, with Square data showing strong adoption across breweries, cafés, and bars. Industry pros say the right items and staff incentives can turn T-shirts into high-margin brand builders.
Americans may be leaning healthier, but indulgent snacking still drives growth – especially chocolate, candy, and protein-packed salty options. Gen Z’s “little treat culture” and afternoon tea trends are fueling innovation.
These days, online shoppers demand transparency, trust, and precise product details – photos, reviews, and availability drive conversions. Brands that deliver clarity win loyalty, experts note.
Solo diners, weekday reservations, and breakfast/early-bird slots are altering 2025 dining patterns. Restaurants embracing these shifts can tap new demographics, maximize off-peak traffic, and leverage inflation-driven demand for affordable, intentional dining experiences.
The Plant Based World Expo 2025 spotlighted snack-driven innovation, protein fortification, and smarter labeling as growth levers. For food leaders, the message was clear: consumer nuance will define the next era in the plant-based sector.
Pizza Hut’s nostalgia is fading as sales slump and Yum! Brands weighs a possible divestiture. Experts say streamlined delivery, sharper value messaging, and personalized loyalty could be critical to reclaiming ground from Domino’s and rivals.
AI-fueled dynamic pricing is sparking legislative battles and consumer backlash, especially around essentials like groceries. Experts warn that retailers risk eroding trust and loyalty if algorithms dictate who pays more for the same goods.
Spain’s first African swine fever outbreak in 30 years has rattled the global pork trade, jeopardizing billions of dollars in exports. With bans from China, Taiwan, Britain, and Mexico, industry leaders face a high-stakes test of market resilience.
The Private Label Manufacturers Association’s sold-out 2025 showcase spotlighted protein-plus, gut-health sodas, and Dubai-style indulgence. Industry leaders underscored private label as core strategy, urging suppliers to think globally, not locally.
Nisshin OilliO America’s new B2B hub helps restaurants improve kitchen efficiency, reduce waste, and elevate menu value.
Informed Shoppers are reshaping retail, demanding transparency, wellness, and sustainability. Retailers clinging to legacy formulas risk irrelevance, while those embracing ingredient clarity and tech-driven discovery stand to capture tomorrow’s discerning consumer.
Panera’s “RISE” overhaul tackles shrinkflation, menu missteps, and stalled growth with a $7 billion sales target by 2028. CEO Paul Carbone vows bigger portions, sharper value, and renewed relevance amid fierce fast casual competition.
Recent product innovations and health & wellness macrotrends show that plant-based brands offering protein-added benefits will stimulate the next phase of growth. Already, national CPGs like Danone are bringing a protein value proposition to their legacy lines.
Fiber and metabolic eating are poised to eclipse protein and fasting in 2026, reshaping diet trends. GLP-1 drug influence and global flavors will drive menus toward nutrient density, smaller portions, and adventurous health-forward dining.
Wendy’s “Project Fresh” turnaround slashes 200–300 U.S. units after steep sales declines, while global growth continues. Interim CEO Ken Cook bets efficiency, tech, and sharper value plays can revive the brand.
SAN ANTONIO – Foodservice distributors, manufacturers, operators, and insights teams gathered at the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Nov. 18-20, for Distribution Market Advantage’s 2025 Fall Conference. At the event, presentations and panel discussions focused on …
GLP-1 drugs are reshaping consumer habits, pushing food makers and restaurants to rethink portions, menus, and indulgence. Circana forecasts lasting demand for protein-rich, wellness-focused options as health-conscious behaviors persist even beyond GLP-1 use.
Hemp-derived THC drinks have boomed in recent months due to a legal loophole created by the 2018 Farm Bill. However, Congress passed a bill last week that contained a surprise provision banning nearly all hemp-derived consumer products within one year, sending shockwaves through the emerging industry.
As FI’s European correspondent noted, health-tech stole the spotlight at Web Summit 2025 in Portugal, while FoodTech barely whispered. The real opportunity? Embedding nutrition into predictive health ecosystems.
Tony Roma’s CEO Mina Haque is modernizing the legacy chain with tech upgrades and Gen Z-friendly menu tweaks, without alienating loyal fans. Her slow, strategic approach and legal savvy are reshaping the brand’s future.
Inflation, labor shortages, and rising costs are squeezing foodservice hiring, with 2025 job projections hitting a 15-year low. Operators are turning to tech and retention strategies to weather the storm.
Regional Indian cuisines are quickly becoming America’s next big flavor wave, with soaring Yelp searches, viral tiffin videos, and high-profile restaurant openings shining a spotlight on Kerala, Goa, Nagaland, the Himalayas, and beyond.
Tariff rollbacks on over 200 food items, including coffee and beef, promise relief for grocers and manufacturers alike. Industry leaders cheer the move as a win for affordability, supply chains, and global trade ties.
The ByHeart recall is a stark reminder that crisis readiness isn’t optional – it’s a brand imperative. F&B leaders must treat recalls as enterprise-wide events and build muscle memory through proactive, AI-augmented preparedness.
Inflation-weary consumers are fueling a shift from value meals to value-driven holiday shopping, with retailers responding through bundled bargains. Convenience and cost-consciousness are redefining seasonal food strategies and gift spending.
According to a new report, Buc-ee’s has surprisingly worked its way to the top of the quick-service charts, redefining fast food with convenience and cult-like appeal. As nontraditional players surge, legacy brands must rethink speed, snacking, and breakfast.
Transaction enables reemployment opportunities for local workforce and supports continued beverage production in the region PITTSBURGH., November 17, 2025 (FI NEWSWIRE) –Harry Davis & Company (HDC), a third-generation advisory firm specializing in the food and …
