A major Amazon Web Services outage on Monday disrupted thousands of sites, including foodservice platforms, underscoring the industry’s digital dependence. Experts warn the cost could reach billions, as DNS errors rippled through operations and productivity worldwide.
Peet’s tops craveability rankings as consumers seek quality, innovation, and value in a $58.5 billion café market. From cardamom lattes to celebrity collabs, chains are brewing bold strategies to win loyalty amid rising prices.
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.
Organized crime members are infiltrating waste disposal sites to relabel expired food, reintroducing it into the supply chain at unprecedented scale. Europol’s recent $110M bust exposes a growing threat to safety, traceability, and brand integrity.
At this week’s Transform Food and Agriculture USA event, industry leaders tackled inflation, AI, and the protein boom with cautious optimism. From pineapple byproducts to predictive tech, the future of food appears to be leaner and considerably more sustainable.
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.
Wayne-Sanderson Farms CFO T.J. Wolfe discusses inflation, disease, and the tech transforming the poultry industry.
Precision fermentation is transforming dairy, creating lactose-free milk made without cows. Strive Nutrition’s FREEMILK uses real dairy proteins – identical to those in cow’s milk but produced sustainably through fermentation – to offer the taste and nutrition of milk with fewer emissions and less sugar.
The Whole Foods Trend Council has been busy this year understanding the forces driving consumer behavior. They found that minimally processed foods that simplify the grocery experience while packing a punch will reach new heights in 2026.
In 2025, restaurants are battling inflation and labor woes with smarter tech and sharper marketing. Toast’s latest survey shows operators leaning into AI, efficiency, and guest experience to protect profitability.
Heavy soda — an ultra-sweet, syrup-heavy twist on fountain drinks — is gaining viral traction and nostalgic appeal. With minimal operational lift, it offers high-margin potential and Gen Z buzz for savvy beverage retailers.
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.
Elliott Management just invested $4 billion in PepsiCo, betting it can fix what fizzled. The activist investor envisions a turnaround – assuming legacy brands can still thrive in a GLP-1 world.
Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have fused star power with beverage innovation, launching coffee-beer crossovers that tap into Gen Z’s desire for a booze-less buzz. Their authentic friendship fuels a savvy play in functional, premium CPG.
Tyson’s beef woes mask solid gains in chicken and prepared foods, and investors remain skeptical. With leadership shakeups and earnings volatility, the market’s appetite for Tyson stock is far from ravenous.
Floral flavors like rose and lavender are in full bloom, emerging in everything from pancakes and baked goods to lattes and lemonades. According to Rubix Foods’ NEXT Flavor Report, 67% of Gen Z diners want to see more floral notes on menus and shelves.
From sourdough to zero-sugar energy drinks, 2026’s expected food trends blend indulgence with wellness. Flatbreads, protein-packed snacks, and air-fried favorites signal a shift toward gut-friendly, cost-conscious innovation.
The Chi-Chi’s restaurant chain is back, revived by the founder’s son with scratch-made Tex-Mex and a nostalgia-fueled equity campaign. With sold-out reservations and $2.3M raised, expansion plans are already in motion.
A prolonged government shutdown could jam inspections, stall product launches, and choke supply chains, just as harvest season hits. For F&B leaders, strategic planning and regulatory clarity may be the next casualties.
Crab Rangoon is riding a wave of nostalgic virality, evolving from comfort food to cultural icon. Its playful reinventions and mass appeal offer operators a low-barrier entry into high-impact, trend-driven dining.
Despite fierce competition and inflationary headwinds, regional grocers like Village and Weis are quietly holding their ground. Tight-lipped but resilient, they may be poised for a tech-fueled rebound if they can endure a bit longer.
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.
Constellation Brands blames weak beer sales on tariffs and shifting Hispanic demographics, but Wall Street sees deeper cracks. With alcohol consumption trending down, investors aren’t buying the company’s optimism.
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.
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.
The U.S. mushroom supplement market hit $1.1 billion in 2023, growing at double-digit rates as functional foods move from niche to mainstream. Lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps mushrooms are now showing up in products ranging from chocolate to coffee.
Post Holdings has long defied gravity in packaged foods – but even its stellar acquisition record can’t outrun cereal’s decline. As M&A slows, investors are asking: has Post finally met its match?
Restaurants are redefining delivery with “hospitality beyond the four walls,” using personal touches like handwritten notes and smart packaging to boost satisfaction. The payoff? A warmer brand experience and repeat business.
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.
PepsiCo has helped launch Food For Tomorrow to champion regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres by 2030. The initiative blends data, storytelling, and science to future-proof farming and the global food supply.
Coffee, chicken, and Mexican restaurant chains sizzled early in 2025, but per-store traffic is cooling fast according to Placer.ai data. With coffee prices spiking, QSRs may be brewing a recipe for over-saturation.
The Latin American consumer is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the many cultures of the region.
Halloween spending is rather strategic in 2025, with consumers craving novelty, better-for-you treats, and – above all else – value. Budget-conscious buying is especially reshaping the candy aisle.
