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 …
In late 2025, margins are getting squeezed from every direction – ingredients, wages, tariffs – and restaurants are feeling the burn. As costs climb, adaptability isn’t optional; it’s the only way to stay on the menu.
In The Food Institute’s latest Food for Thought Leadership episode, Robyn Carter of Jump Rope Innovation explains how consumers’ demand for authenticity and simplicity is reshaping food retail, restaurants, and wellness, and why “real” is the future of food.
More than 1,000 unionized Starbucks baristas will walk out on the job in over 40 U.S. cities in an open-ended strike. Starbucks Workers United, which represents employees at more than 550 U.S. Starbucks stores, said the strike will begin at 4 p.m. local time.
Gen X is entering its peak spending years, favoring branded, practical food products that deliver real value. F&B leaders should act fast, because this discerning, high-ROI cohort won’t wait for promises to pan out.
As investors managing $11.5 trillion push food giants like Danone, Walmart, and Amazon to diversify their protein portfolios, the message is clear: Sustainability and resilience depend on innovation. From mycelium to electro-fermented proteins, emerging alt-protein technologies are reshaping the future of food production, and investors are hoping to fund it.
Agentic AI is reshaping food tech, driving smarter service and explosive growth. But as automation deepens, legal battles and leadership shakeups hint at a turbulent future.
Target is slashing prices on 3,000 grocery and essentials SKUs ahead of a shaky holiday season, reigniting retail’s value wars. As inflation-weary consumers hunt for deals, global grocers are racing to stay in their baskets.
Once a natural foods juggernaut, Hain Celestial is now a cautionary tale of over-acquisition and underperformance. After a decade of turnarounds, the cupboard of fixes appears bare, and time is running out.
A deadly Listeria outbreak tied to ready-to-eat pasta has triggered massive recalls and renewed scrutiny of sanitation lapses. Experts warn that cold-loving pathogens and hyper-efficient supply chains are a recipe for cross-brand disaster.
Fiber is shedding its stodgy image and emerging as a gut-health powerhouse, flavor-forward snack hero, and even a microplastic-fighting ally. From baby formula to seaweed chips, it’s the next big thing in functional food.
Coffee raves are transforming cafés into wellness-driven, daytime social hubs and boosting margins in the process. As Gen Z redefines nightlife, savvy operators are brewing community, culture, and commerce, all in one.
Plant-based brands, unique textures, and bold global flavors are reshaping the ice cream category. As billion-dollar deals churn, brands are focused on innovation in a competitive, sensory-driven market.
Retail media is evolving fast, and streaming platforms are the new battleground. With managed services and precision targeting, even small food brands can now play big in the personalized, data-driven media landscape of 2025.
Two AI experts just made their boldest move yet: launching Gambit, a kitchen assistant that automates cooking with precision. It’s a game-changer for food technology innovation. Sponsored by Gambit Robotics.
McDonald’s is betting on nostalgia to reignite value leadership, reviving Snack Wraps and Extra Value Meals. But the real play is digital: boosting app usage to drive traffic and reshape consumer perception.
Now that the plant-based market has matured, it must contend with many of the same problems as the meat industry, including eking out margins as consumers tighten their wallets. However, dairy alternatives continue to be a bright spot for the sector.
Grubhub and Instacart’s unlikely alliance fills strategic gaps for both, fueling Wonder’s super app ambitions. It’s a calculated surrender on grocery that unlocks possibilities for a full-spectrum mealtime dominance.
KFC’s U.S. sales are in free fall, even as chicken sizzles across the industry. Yum! Brands’ bold pivot to “Saucy” signals a reinvention, but is it too late for KFC’s comeback?
Consumers are craving connection and comfort as Thanksgiving approaches, but inflation is reshaping how they celebrate. Value-driven choices are influencing holiday traditions, resulting in predictions for pared-down menus.
As diners tighten their belts, value-driven promotions and loyalty perks are proving key to filling restaurant seats. With rising costs and waning confidence, restaurants must deliver far more than just a meal.
