When U.S. delivery startup Zero Grocery abruptly closed recently, it stunned northern California businesses that sold its products. Many were owed money and questioned what went wrong with the fast-growing startup, reported San Francisco Chronicle (March …
Food businesses are losing faith in Instagram following a change in its algorithm. The social media platform’s choice to prioritize videos over photos has created unforeseen costs for small businesses, leaving many owners frustrated, reported …
Phil Kafarakis knows the pandemic has created dire situations for many restaurants. At the same time, he’s also encouraged by the resilience displayed by many operators. “I think this pandemic gave people an opportunity to …
After two years of COVID-related limitations on indoor dining, one segment of the restaurant industry is surpassing pre-pandemic traffic figures: steakhouses. That’s according to a recent report from location analytics firm Placer.ai, which reported growth …
One of the lasting pandemic-related changes in consumer behavior could be the adoption of the QR code, according to a new FoodBytes report from Datassential. A year ago, just a quarter of consumers had encountered …
Users sharing their food on social media is nothing new, but TikTok is taking the phenomenon to new heights. Earlier this week, the hashtag for “food” had garnered a whopping 268 billion views on the …
With masks coming off, restaurants are bracing for a surge in business, evidenced by increased job posting for servers, bartenders and a host of other rolls, reports PeopleReady, an on-demand labor company. Unfortunately, many of …
Are consumers willing to shell out $20 for a cheeseburger, fries, and a milkshake at their favorite fast-casual restaurant? As inflation and gas prices soar, we’re likely to find out soon. In fact, consumers appear …
Burger giant McDonald’s led the way among fast-food chains, suspending operations in Russia less than two weeks after the Kremlin began its invasion of Ukraine and the West began imposing sanctions on Moscow. The likes …
Gamers are proving to be an influential demographic in the food industry. In fact, research from Wunderman Thompson Commerce’s Future Shopper Report 2021 shows that globally, 84% of online shoppers are gamers. With this in …
Editor’s note: This article is a free, one-time preview of The Food Institute’s new Premium articles, which will be available to members. To join FI, click here. After nearly two years of intermittent pandemic-related lockdowns, consumers are seeking …
Alternative meat sales continue to plateau at retail following strong performance in recent years. Has plant-based meat reached its peak, or is this just a lengthy chapter in the emerging category’s evolutionary process? According to …
The drive-thru lane is no longer exclusive to fast-food chains. Applebee’s recently revealed it would be “aggressively” leaning into drive-thrus as it gets back to new unit growth, reported Forbes (March 3). The chain will …
After ten consecutive months of traffic gains, the U.S. restaurant industry’s recovery slowed in January, according to The NPD Group. However, things are looking up. OMICRON-INDUCED SLOW DOWN IN JANUARY The surge of the COVID-19 …
For some time, it seemed like there was a new app every week promising New Yorkers food and other deliveries in 15 minutes or less. Now, it looks like there could be a bump in …
Consumers are getting more adventurous with their pizza. In fact, Slice’s 2022 Slice of The Union report indicates that three types of not-so-traditional pizza had their best year ever: Dairy-free pizza was 333% more popular New …
For much of the 1980s and ‘90s, American malls were where seminal moments occurred in the lives of adolescents. They bought puppies at the basement pet store. They rented tuxedos for proms. And they socialized in …
Newsweek recently released its America’s Best Loyalty Programs 2022 list and several food brands stood out. In the grocery category, Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market and Publix Super Markets landed the top spots, while Jersey Mike’s …
Hiring new employees is hard for businesses across the food landscape. Retaining them is even harder. And if you are a restaurant operator amid the current worker shortage, your staffing problems are the hardest. The …
U.S. companies should be prepared for retaliatory cyberattacks following Biden Administration sanctions against Russia for invading Ukraine. U.S. Rep. Jim Langevin, a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, said private companies should be …
Meal kits are at a crossroads. Despite strong sales earlier in the pandemic, customers have dropped meal kits in droves as restrictions ease, while soaring food and logistics costs squeeze margins. In December, HelloFresh released 2022 …
Interactive & Educational Conference Designed to Meet the Needs of Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Food Manufacturers, Investors, Financial Services and Policy Makers, Scheduled for June 1-3 February 16, 2022/FI Newswire/ – The Food Institute and The Lempert …
As states ease mask mandates, consumers remain wary of omicron and future variants. At the same, experts say businesses need to brace for an expected surge in demand in the second quarter. With that, the …
The Los Angeles Rams have won eight of their last nine games, the Cincinnati Bengals six of their last seven. As impressive as that is, the teams aren’t nearly as hot as one Super Bowl …
The Biden administration has issued transitional standards for school lunches to get cafeterias back on a healthier course as they recover from the pandemic. Here’s what to expect: WHAT IS CHANGING? During the pandemic, schools …
Things are looking up in the world of foodservice. Restaurant industry sales are expected to hit $898 billion this year, up from $864 billion in 2019, according to the National Restaurant Association’s State of the …
Drive down the main drag of Duluth, Minnesota – a city with less than 90,000 residents – and you’ll soon notice something: Craft breweries are as abundant as SUVs in this northern town. Duluth’s Superior …
Fast-food value deals are back, but they’re not quite the same as before. Over the past several weeks, brands such as McDonald’s have returned to value messaging for the first time in several years, noted …
Demand for coffee outside the home increased substantially in 2021, while traction at the grocery store remained strong – further solidifying the category’s overall appeal and adaptability to shifting consumer behaviors. According to a recent …
It’s apparent at deli counters and restaurants all over: Caribbean cuisine is gaining traction with consumers. The National Restaurant Association recently identified Caribbean food as one of its top trends to watch in 2022. AF&Co/Carbonate …
Just 2% of restaurants reported an increase in sales in December. Yet, a survey by TD Bank found 81% of restaurant operators are nevertheless optimistic about the future. Restaurant operators are faced with several challenges …
Ghost-kitchen startup Reef Technology is temporarily closing about one-third of its food trailers, reported Business Insider. (Jan 13) This activity comes on the heels of numerous operational challenges the delivery-only kitchen business has faced in recent …
Editor’s note: The Food Institute has a new Plant-Based Insider newsletter, coming in February! To sign up, click here. Plant-based chicken is taking center stage in 2022. KFC is the latest chain to introduce a …
More quick service restaurants (QSRs) are rolling out subscription services in the new year to leverage the pandemic pivot towards mobile ordering and remain top of mind with consumers. Throughout the month of January, Sweetgreen …
The so-called Great Resignation is only picking up speed, it seems. LinkedIn data show millions of baby boomers are retiring early, and millions of Gen Z workers in their 20s are quitting and re-evaluating life …
The leisure and hospitality industries posted solid job growth in December, but it remains to be seen how the fourth wave of COVID-19 will affect consumer demand and labor force participation. BLS Report Muted Compared …
