Fast-food chains are turning to sauces and dips as low-cost QSR menu innovations that boost personalization, drive Gen Z engagement, and create profitable LTO opportunities amid shifting foodservice trends and consumer demand.
A large neurological study links higher artificial sweetener intake to faster cognitive decline, raising fresh questions for food and beverage brands using sugar substitutes in sugar-free products.
Rising transportation costs, climate-related crop losses, banana disease, and global supply-chain pressures are pushing banana prices higher.
Food inflation continued outpacing overall U.S. inflation in June and shows no signs of slowing significantly in the near term, prompting consumers to rethink their spending and menu choices.
A fast-growing cyclosporiasis outbreak has placed lettuce, salad kits and other fresh foods under scrutiny, even as the FDA reversed an initial finding involving a major supplier. Experts share practical precautions for consumers and strategies to help food brands reassure wary customers.
IFT FIRST 2026 spotlighted GLP-1-driven CPG innovation, with protein-fiber formulations, clear-protein beverages, and clean-label ingredients balancing taste, texture, scalability, and cost as food manufacturers respond to evolving consumer, retail, and regulatory demands.
TCBY is pursuing a QSR comeback through healthier frozen yogurt, nostalgia, and customization, as inflation pushes the 45-year-old chain to pursue Gen Z and Gen Alpha.
Nathan’s Famous has entered a new era, as Smithfield completes its acquisition, giving the iconic U.S. hot dog purveyor Chinese ownership while raising questions about strategy, inflation, and long-term hot dog demand.
Pleasure still drives food purchases, but consumers increasingly want indulgence with added function and a justifiable price. Discover how bold sauces, novel textures, and clinical-oriented health claims are shaping North America’s next wave of innovation.
Beans, oats, and omega-3-rich seafood may help lower LDL cholesterol, offering brands growing opportunities as consumers seek heart-healthy foods backed by preventive health research.
The FDA plans to shift routine food-facility inspections to states while using AI to target high-risk cases, signaling major compliance changes.
PepsiCo’s $2 billion Poppi acquisition is raising questions as earnings estimates fall and distribution challenges persist, offering industry leaders fresh insight into M&A execution and the outlook for prebiotic soda demand.
Associated British Foods says U.S. cooking oil demand is weakening due to inflation pressures and changing Hispanic consumer spending.
Wild Alaskan’s DTC seafood strategy shows how authentic storytelling, sustainability, and premium sourcing are driving CPG growth. Plus, Gen Z consumers are embracing DTC shopping due to its convenience.
Fricy flavors – fruity plus spicy – are gaining traction across QSR, foodservice, retail, and RTD beverages as social media spotlights this long-time cultural tradition. Brands are leveraging the trend to accelerate CPG innovation, menu development, and community-driven product launches.
Smucker’s Hostess acquisition underscores how GLP-1 adoption and retail demand for healthier options are pressuring legacy CPG brands.
Early back-to-school promotions are boosting retail traffic as inflation, private label demand, AI-assisted shopping, and value-focused consumers reshape seasonal buying, creating new opportunities for CPG, retail, and foodservice brands to capture spending before classes begin.
Popeyes’ revenue continues rising, but the chicken chain’s declining comparable sales hint at weakening restaurant performance. As inflation-conscious consumers seek value, parent company Restaurant Brands International appears likely to turn to menu simplification and pricing to restore growth throughout the U.S.
Could eating more fruits and vegetables make you look – and even smell – better? A new research review suggests that plant-rich diets may offer short-term perks ranging from a subtle “golden glow” to sweeter-smelling sweat on top of long-term health improvements.
Walmart and Sam’s Club expanded summer grocery discounts on thousands of items, intensifying retail price competition as inflation pressures ease. The move comes ahead of peak back-to-school shopping.
EVOO shots are gaining retail traction at Whole Foods and Sprouts, but nutrition experts say the wellness trend lacks evidence over traditional use.
Early research links GLP-1 drugs to lower breast cancer risk and improved survival, but experts urge caution. The findings could influence healthcare and wellness strategies as GLP-1 adoption continues to expand.
The CDC and FDA are investigating a multistate cyclosporiasis outbreak tied to an unknown food source, raising fresh food safety concerns for supply chains as Michigan cases surge.
Grocery checkout delays are fueling consumer frustration these days, with Kroger banners dominating complaints in major markets.
When it comes to clean-label products, it has become increasingly apparent that taste – not gluten-free claims – is the key to CPG growth and repeat purchases. That’s especially true in today’s clean-label frozen food category.
Fresh ingredients and made-to-order sandwiches executed at scale are what make Jersey Mike’s the chain to watch on the ACSI.
K-Café beverages are fueling foodservice menu creativity, as Gen Z demand for customizable drinks, cheese foam, and dalgona coffee boosts franchise growth across North America.
From Liquid Death to Pepsi, Burger King, and Starbucks South Korea, edgy campaigns can either build buzz or spark backlash. Marketing experts explain why brand permission often makes the difference.
Fresh tomato prices fell 8.5% from April to May but remain 32% higher than a year ago, according to the latest CPI report. Weather disruptions in Florida and Mexico tightened supply earlier this year, and analysts expect prices to ease only gradually.
Plant-based burgers are shifting from meat imitation to veggie-first innovation as QSRs and foodservice operators respond to slowing retail sales and flexitarian demand.
When ‘healthy’ eating becomes rigid, isolating, or anxiety-inducing, it can signal that something more serious is at play. Experts explain why orthorexia rates are rising – and why the disorder often hides in plain sight.
Jack in the Box’s QSR turnaround faces mounting pressure with inflation and California labor costs eroding profitability, offering foodservice, CPG, and retail leaders fresh insight into value-driven dining trends and restaurant sector risks.
FSIS issued a public health alert after testing detected Listeria in Taher Inc.’s Chicken Caesar wraps sold at Holiday stores in Minnesota and Wisconsin, highlighting ongoing food safety, retail, and supply chain risks for CPG and foodservice operators.
AI isn’t driving most F&B layoffs. CPG manufacturers and foodservice companies are instead cutting jobs to manage restructuring, weak consumer demand, facility closures, and margin pressure – revealing what’s really behind 2026 workforce reductions.
Cybersecurity has become a serious business risk for F&B companies. Learn how ransomware, AI-powered phishing, and supply chain threats are raising the stakes – and which defenses matter most.
Consumers are embracing visually striking, tropical, and functional beverages, which is forcing brands and restaurants to rethink innovation as shareability, wellness, and social relevance become the industry’s new growth drivers.
