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Pressure Points: Why CEO Tenures are Shrinking

CEO turnover is accelerating as boardroom patience thins, and economic headwinds intensify. In 2025, only the bold, empathetic, and fast-moving F&B leaders survive the pressure cooker of modern corporate leadership.

Starbucks Gets Behind ‘Proffee’ Craze

Starbucks is diving into the booming “proffee” trend with protein-packed lattes and cold foam, now a permanent menu fixture. As rivals race to meet protein-hungry consumers, functional coffee is brewing billion-dollar growth.

Can the Kelce Brothers’ Garage Beer Go the Distance?

Garage Beer, backed by NFL stars and Taylor Swift buzz, is gunning for shelf space in a margin-thin market. But without distributor loyalty and retail muscle, this celebrity-fueled brand may fizzle fast, according to industry insiders.

‘The Great Flattening’ Upon Us: Middle Managers Fired En Masse

AI-driven cuts to middle management may boost short-term efficiency, but experts warn of burnout, disengagement, and workflow chaos. As “The Great Flattening” of organizational charts gains steam, food industry leaders must weigh tech gains against human costs.

3 Secrets to Attract Gen Z Consumers

Gen Zers crave brands that speak their cultural language, not just sell products. From Oreo’s meme creativity to Doritos’ gamer-friendly tech, authenticity and co-creation are the new path to loyalty.

11 GLP-1 Friendly Products Rich in Gluten-Free Fiber, Plant Protein

As more consumers turn to GLP-1 medications, the demand for products high in fiber and protein is booming, but many traditional formulations contain allergens like gluten and dairy, making it difficult for some to find options. However, that’s changing.

Hispanic Shoppers’ Health Priorities Shake Up Industry

Hispanic consumers are reshaping the food industry with health-driven choices, flavor curiosity, and rising purchasing power. Brands ignoring this shift risk falling behind as authenticity and wellness become the new growth frontier.

Consumers Brace for ‘Foodflation’

Tariffs, labor shortages, and rising input costs are fueling “foodflation,” squeezing margins and reshaping consumer behavior. As grocery prices climb 23% since 2022, brands face pressure to innovate or lose share to private labels.

Why Logan’s Roadhouse Is Winning the Casual-Dining War

Logan’s Roadhouse is red hot as of late, using $11.99 value meals and a top-ranked customer experience to outpace competitors. The steak chain’s comeback proves that consistency and affordability beat flash in the eyes of modern consumers.

Gen Alpha’s ‘Pester Power’ is Fueled by YouTube

YouTube’s stealth food marketing is supercharging Gen Alpha’s “pester power,” blurring the line between entertainment and influence. As parasocial bonds deepen, brands gain unprecedented access to young appetites – often without parental awareness.

The Top 5 Flavors Taking Over Fall

Fall flavor innovation is heating up as brands blend nostalgia with novelty – think cranberry punch, chai spice, and pumpkin chipotle. With 66% of consumers shifting food habits, the time appears right to capture seasonal cravings.

Move Over, Uncrustables – Pro Athletes Are Reaching for Rice Krispies Treats

Recent research has revealed that endurance athletes can improve their performance by consuming significantly more carbohydrates than previously advised, prompting a surge in energy gel sales. However, many athletes are reaching for a cheaper – and tastier – alternative found in kids’ lunch boxes.

Energy Drinks Put ‘Value’ Back in ‘Value Proposition’

Energy drinks are thriving as price-conscious consumers pivot from costly coffee to functional, flavorful alternatives. With wellness claims and nostalgic flavors, the category is stealing share from traditional caffeine formats.

New and Next by Nestlé: TOMA Brand Gathering Momentum

TOMA, a fast-growing Latin American food brand founded by Manolo Gonzalez Vergara and his mother, actress Sofia Vergara, is revolutionizing the handheld food space with premium empanadas and other authentic offerings. The brand is reshaping consumer expectations of Latin cuisine by making it accessible and convenient.

Plant-Based Dairy Defies Category Trends

Plant-based dairy is driving the next generation of plant-based growth through innovations in milk, yogurt, and cheese, eclipsing plant-based meat’s claim on the market. Despite yogurt and cheese’s modest menu penetration, they represent the fastest growers in the category.

The Rise of Dirty Soda: A Trend Taking the Beverage Industry by Storm

The “dirty soda” trend continues to be a phenomenon in the beverage industry, driven by social media and the desire for customization and unique experiences, particularly among Gen Z consumers. This trend has seen a 270% increase in social conversations over the past year.

Forces Shaping Foodservice: Biggest Trends

It’s no surprise that consumers are dining out less, citing myriad reasons for this behavior, with the most compelling signaling a return to affordability. TouchBistro 2025 U.S. Diner Trends Report Still, consumers are willing to ...

Brands Are Dying to Work with Liquid Death

Despite its ghoulish aesthetics, Liquid Death’s community is surprisingly wide: “people drink things and they like to laugh,” adroitly summarized Liquid Death creative VP Andy Pearson in an interview with The Food Institute. This has …

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Taco Bell Digs Deeper With Nostalgia-Fueled Menu Revival

Taco Bell is revamping last year’s Decades Menu with a Y2K spin, featuring iconic menu items from 2001-2010. The overt play for nostalgia has been effective for the QSR chain in the past, and this year it’s doing more to support the initiative.

5 Things to Know About the New World Screwworm

The New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasite, is threatening livestock across the Americas, with a human case confirmed in Maryland. USDA is racing to contain the pest before it bites into U.S. food security and cattle profits.

Unraveling the Big Beautiful Bill’s Impact on F&B

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act spices up tax strategy for F&B businesses, unlocking R&D credits and full depreciation on production investments. Tip and overtime tax breaks sweeten the deal for frontline staff.

Food & Beverage M&A Report: 1H 2025

This article is sponsored and written by CohnReznick. The first half of 2025 showed that even in a cautious market, strategic dealmaking in manufacturing and distribution (M&D) is far from slowing down. With new tax incentives, ...

Sweetgreen Plunges, And the Question Is Why

Sweetgreen’s stock nosedived after dismal Q2 results, reigniting doubts about its scalability and consumer appeal. Management blames execution and macro headwinds – but investors may be losing faith in the salad chain’s long-term promise.

Forces Shaping Foodservice: QSR Value Wars

The quick-serve restaurant value wars have never been more important to chains that are losing market share to prepared foods sections at grocery stores and full-service establishments. Concurrently, consumers are rejecting higher fast-food prices resulting ...