A growing number of young consumers are flocking to hemp‑derived THC drinks even as a sweeping federal ban looms. Brands and retailers now face a high‑stakes regulatory shakeup that could upend a fast‑growing category and thousands of jobs.
Multiple food and beverage giants are cutting jobs as margin pressure, automation, and shifting consumer behavior force a painful reset. Experts warn that rolling layoffs and “quiet cuts” may define 2026 as companies restructure.
Restaurants and bars are bracing for a Super Bowl surge that now demands running two businesses at once: a busy dining room and a booming takeout operation. Success hinges on meticulous prep, smart menu engineering – and knowing whether your brand should even play the game.
GLP‑1 drugs may be shrinking waistlines, but new research shows they’re also shrinking nutrient intake, leaving many users low on key vitamins. As private prescriptions surge, dietitians warn that poor guidance could turn weight‑loss drugs into a long‑term health liability.
Smart sourcing is driving consumer demand for quality wine at accessible price points. As shoppers grow more discerning, the sellers who pair curation with competitive pricing are winning both loyalty and market share.
Inclusive dining technology is quickly shifting from optional to essential, as operators lean on accessible design to serve a wider range of guests with fewer friction points. The payoff is empowered diners.
Pro athletes from the NFL, NBA, and MLB are backing Waiākea, betting on a purpose-driven water brand focused on sustainability. The sports stars’ investment underscores the growing power of mission aligned partnerships in the F&B industry.
CES roared back to full strength in 2026, and food focused innovators stole a surprising share of the spotlight with breakthroughs in water tech, AI powered cooking, and experiential retail. For brands watching the future of food and beverage, a handful of standout exhibitors offered a glimpse of where consumer expectations are headed.
Tensions flared at the World Economic Forum, as the U.S. pushed a Greenland framework and the EU weighed its “trade bazooka,” putting a $2T transatlantic trade relationship on edge. Food industry leaders should brace for ripple effects as potential tariffs threaten to reshape global supply chains.
Cocktails are entering their maximalist era, with bars embracing chef driven techniques, purposeful garnishes, and tiny pours that turn drinks into full sensory experiences. This year expect umami rich creations, amaro riffs, and endlessly reimagined martinis.
Gen Z is reshaping restaurant strategy with digital-first connection, solo dining, and a hunger for immersive, social media-ready experiences. Operators that deliver storytelling, sensory “food moments,” and premium non-alcoholic options are most likely to win over the young cohort.
Dole’s new FRUIT FWD report spotlights 2026’s biggest shifts, from a surge in tropical flavor demand to consumers replacing meals with snack centric “on the go” eating. With wellness, mocktails, and affordable indulgence all rising, the data points to clear innovation lanes for brands ready to move fast.
AI is shifting from pilot projects to full scale deployment in restaurants, reshaping everything from kitchen workflows and pricing to fraud prevention. As automation ramps up, operators gain efficiency – and space to refocus on culture.
The 2026 Winter FancyFaire spotlighted a wave of genre-bending innovation, from collagen packed “beauty drinks” to Asian-inspired comfort mashups. Wellness shots, playful chocolates, and global better-for-you brands largely stole the show.
President Trump’s backing may help usher the Credit Card Competition Act through Congress and the House of Representatives. Banks warn it could gut rewards programs, but food retailers see long‑overdue relief.
Roma’s evolution reflects the challenges and opportunities of the U.S. pizza industry, offering insights into brand strategy, product consistency, and long-term foodservice impact.
Mexican avocado imports are set to smash records ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl, signaling strong supply-chain confidence and sustained U.S. demand. Avocados From Mexico is pairing that momentum with an AI-powered fan experience designed to drive even more guac consumption.
Retail’s biggest show, NRF 2026, signaled a reset, with economists forecasting steadier growth as AI, health-forward innovation, and omnichannel discipline reshape how food retailers compete. Leaders left aligned on one theme: 2026 belongs to operators who cut friction, elevate fresh, and deploy tech with purpose.
From autonomous convenience stores to robotic baristas and ingredient traceability platforms, CES 2026 highlighted how automation and AI are moving deeper into food, retail, and supply chain operations.
A sweeping U.S. visa freeze across 75 countries signals deeper turbulence in global labor mobility. Food and beverage leaders may face fresh uncertainty as immigration scrutiny tightens and long term workforce pipelines grow less predictable.
Two major recalls – Salmonella‑linked chocolate bars and Listeria‑tainted cheeses – are putting food safety back in the spotlight. With Class I risks in play, brands are reminded how quickly routine testing can become a reputational stress test.
Foodservice chains are charging into 2026 with bold menu revamps that tap breakfast demand, nostalgia, and the protein boom to spark traffic and repeat visits. From Dutch Bros to Chick-fil-A to Shake Shack, operators are leaning hard into trend-driven innovation to stay competitive.
Dutch Bros is rewriting the coffee playbook with tiny, hyper efficient drive thru huts built for speed and Gen Z friendly indulgence. Its rise signals that the next big coffee chain may look more like an energy drink competitor than a café.
Dry January has inspired a cultural reset, with consumers swapping booze for tea, soda, and other NA options. Health, cost‑cutting, and medication‑assisted moderation are accelerating the shift, creating fresh whitespace for beverage innovators.
Target is muscling into Whole Foods territory with a major wellness expansion, betting that value priced “better for you” goods can revive slipping sales. But with Walmart and Amazon escalating their own health pushes, the retailer’s path to growth remains anything but simple.
The food manufacturing industry’s most pressing challenges—labor shortages and high turnover, inconsistent quality, food giveaway, and constrained throughput—now have a proven solution. Chef Robotics has developed AI-enabled robots for meal assembly to flexibly automate production …
Health and wellness are top of mind as consumers consider their food and beverage purchases.
Mid‑sized pizza chains are gaining ground as consumers prioritize hot, high‑quality pizza over sheer delivery speed. With giants slowing and carryout times rising, operational discipline is becoming the new competitive edge.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s flipped food pyramid champions whole foods and fuller fat proteins, but nutrition experts warn the shift could spike chronic disease risks. The shake-up also raises big implications for producers, as federal guidance realigns around less processing.
Food companies limped through a bruising 2025 as CPG giants, grocers, and fast casual chains saw valuations crumble under weak demand and structural headwinds. Yet, recent weeks hint at selective rebounds, rewarding the players best positioned to execute in a more fragmented market.
Canadian farmers enjoyed record harvests recently, despite floods, drought, and extreme heat, thanks to high tech farming and advanced seed genetics. As climate volatility accelerates, northern growers expect similarly bountiful harvests in the future.
Health-driven consumer habits are shaping produce trends, with broccolini selected as the 2026 Vegetable of the Year and sweet potatoes earning a spot as the honorable mention. FullTilt Marketing also identified the kabocha squash and endive as vegetables to watch this year.
The well-publicized lawsuit that claims McDonald’s misleads consumers with the McRib’s name has sparked debate over transparency in QSR marketing. While legal impact may be minimal, experts say perception risks could force tighter messaging and PR control.
Digital signage is becoming core QSR infrastructure, boosting ticket sizes, reducing decision fatigue, and strengthening guest trust through real time updates. Operators leveraging dynamic menus and time sensitive promos are benefitting.
