LATAM Influence: Future Considerations

LATAM communities have become American tastemakers across all of culture, and as the demographic’s population grows, so will its impact. Hispanic consumers already represent a large portion of growth in the grocery space, and they’re ...

From SKUs to Ecosystems: The Future of Food Innovation

AI is fast becoming shoppers’ trusted assistant, especially in grocery. As a result, brands must now master AI algorithms, build trust, and optimize for voice-driven, chatbot-powered discovery.

A $4B Investment Aims for an Uncertain Turnaround at PepsiCo

Elliott Management just invested $4 billion in PepsiCo, betting it can fix what fizzled. The activist investor envisions a turnaround – assuming legacy brands can still thrive in a GLP-1 world.

Tom Holland, Robert Downey Jr. Unite on Booze-less Buzz

Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr. have fused star power with beverage innovation, launching coffee-beer crossovers that tap into Gen Z’s desire for a booze-less buzz. Their authentic friendship fuels a savvy play in functional, premium CPG.

For Tyson, Investors Worry About More Than Just the Industry

Tyson’s beef woes mask solid gains in chicken and prepared foods, and investors remain skeptical. With leadership shakeups and earnings volatility, the market’s appetite for Tyson stock is far from ravenous.

Floral Flavors Blossom on Drink, Dessert Menus

Floral flavors like rose and lavender are in full bloom, emerging in everything from pancakes and baked goods to lattes and lemonades. According to Rubix Foods’ NEXT Flavor Report, 67% of Gen Z diners want to see more floral notes on menus and shelves.

6 Food Trends to Watch in 2026

From sourdough to zero-sugar energy drinks, 2026’s expected food trends blend indulgence with wellness. Flatbreads, protein-packed snacks, and air-fried favorites signal a shift toward gut-friendly, cost-conscious innovation.

CEO’s ‘Divine Timing’ Sparks Chi-Chi’s Tex-Mex Renaissance

The Chi-Chi’s restaurant chain is back, revived by the founder’s son with scratch-made Tex-Mex and a nostalgia-fueled equity campaign. With sold-out reservations and $2.3M raised, expansion plans are already in motion.

Government Shutdown: How the Food Industry Could Feel the Heat

A prolonged government shutdown could jam inspections, stall product launches, and choke supply chains, just as harvest season hits. For F&B leaders, strategic planning and regulatory clarity may be the next casualties.

The Cult of Crab Rangoon: Consumers Crave Nostalgia, ‘Play’

Crab Rangoon is riding a wave of nostalgic virality, evolving from comfort food to cultural icon. Its playful reinventions and mass appeal offer operators a low-barrier entry into high-impact, trend-driven dining.

Independent Grocers See Hope Amid the Headwinds

Despite fierce competition and inflationary headwinds, regional grocers like Village and Weis are quietly holding their ground. Tight-lipped but resilient, they may be poised for a tech-fueled rebound if they can endure a bit longer.

Why AI Is the New Grocery Gatekeeper

AI is fast becoming shoppers’ trusted assistant, especially in grocery. As a result, brands must now master AI algorithms, build trust, and optimize for voice-driven, chatbot-powered discovery.

LATAM Influence: Unpacking CPG Impact

Latin American foods and flavor profiles are now deeply ingrained in American culture, with brands like Topo Chico, Tajín, Jarritos, and Takis available at traditional grocers, convenience stores, and specialty stores alike. Younger generations, too, ...

Constellation Brands Faces Sobering Reality Amid Alcohol’s Downturn

Constellation Brands blames weak beer sales on tariffs and shifting Hispanic demographics, but Wall Street sees deeper cracks. With alcohol consumption trending down, investors aren’t buying the company’s optimism.

Gen Z Magnetism Report: Authenticity Often Beats Advertising

Gen Z’s brand loyalty hinges on authentic user-generated content, not legacy clout. Food giants like Oreo and McDonald’s are losing steam – while Disney thrives by treating fans like community, not consumers.

Morning Diners Losing Patience with Restaurants

IHOP tops the list of slowest chains, exposing breakfast service bottlenecks that frustrate time-sensitive morning diners. Experts say understaffed models and flawed labor assumptions are costing chains millions in lost loyalty.

A Bundle of Fungi: Demand for Functional Mushrooms Surges

The U.S. mushroom supplement market hit $1.1 billion in 2023, growing at double-digit rates as functional foods move from niche to mainstream. Lion’s mane, reishi, and cordyceps mushrooms are now showing up in products ranging from chocolate to coffee.

Post’s Long-Term Outperformance Seems at Risk

Post Holdings has long defied gravity in packaged foods – but even its stellar acquisition record can’t outrun cereal’s decline. As M&A slows, investors are asking: has Post finally met its match?

Restaurants Leverage ‘Personal Touches’ to Level Up the Delivery Experience

Restaurants are redefining delivery with “hospitality beyond the four walls,” using personal touches like handwritten notes and smart packaging to boost satisfaction. The payoff? A warmer brand experience and repeat business.

3 Key Takeaways from Groceryshop 2025

At Groceryshop 2025, leaders tackled topics such as value-driven shoppers, evolving retail media, and AI’s seismic impact on grocery. From TikTok disruption to digital twins, the future of food retail is already knocking.

PepsiCo, NatGeo Bet Big on Regenerative Agriculture

PepsiCo has helped launch Food For Tomorrow to champion regenerative agriculture across 10 million acres by 2030. The initiative blends data, storytelling, and science to future-proof farming and the global food supply.

The Top 3 Fastest-Growing QSR Categories of 2025

Coffee, chicken, and Mexican restaurant chains sizzled early in 2025, but per-store traffic is cooling fast according to Placer.ai data. With coffee prices spiking, QSRs may be brewing a recipe for over-saturation.

LATAM Influence: Attracting the LATAM/Hispanic Consumer

The Latin American consumer is complex and multifaceted, reflecting the many cultures of the region.

Halloween 2025: Consumers Crave Flavor Mashups, Value

Halloween spending is rather strategic in 2025, with consumers craving novelty, better-for-you treats, and – above all else – value. Budget-conscious buying is especially reshaping the candy aisle.

Investors Can’t Get Much More Impressed With Costco

Costco has emerged as a clear winner of today’s difficult macroeconomic environment, enjoying 7.3% same-store sales growth over the year. The club store’s aggressive strategy to expand to 20 more markets indicate it will only get bigger.

Why American Diners are Skipping Breakfast

Breakfast is losing its sizzle for many restaurants, as diners skip morning meals amid shifting habits. But with smart value strategies, restaurant brands still have a shot at reclaiming the morning crowd.

The Top 5 Gen Z Food Trends This Fall, According to Chartwells

This fall, the Gen Z food trends are smoky, global, and TikTok-approved, according to Chartwells’ 2025 campus dining forecast. From ube brunch items to Monster Matcha, flavor innovations are meeting students where they scroll.

Smithfield Is Still Proving Itself to Investors

Smithfield’s IPO stumbled, but its pivot to packaged meats is winning over Wall Street – slowly. Despite strong returns, investors remain wary of ownership optics, GLP-1 headwinds, and valuation lag.

Ultra-Processed Update: MAHA Definitions, Non-UPF Verification

Plant-based products often bear the brunt of the blame for the health issues associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), but experts note that meat and dairy UPFs may pose greater risks. With competing definitions and a new non-UPF verification program in the works, consumer education remains key in understanding what really makes a food “ultra-processed.”

Can Congress Fix Runaway Coffee Inflation?

Congress brewed up the “No Coffee Tax Act” to slash tariffs and tame surging bean prices. But with climate shocks and record demand, the fix may need more than a legislative shot.

Fast-Food Chains Feeling Pain in ‘Two-Tier Economy’

As budget-conscious diners trade down, QSRs face a traffic slump while casual-dining chains surge with value bundles. The winners? Brands that nail the value equation in a fiercely discerning dining economy.

GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Ride Health, Wellness Wave

As consumers continue to take their health and wellness goals seriously, GLP-1 drug usage will continue to grow. With as much as 20% of U.S. adults taking or considering the medication, the food and beverage industry must adapt to these consumer need states.

Millennials, Gen Z Prefer Functional Foods to Supplements

Millennials and Gen Z are often ditching traditional pill bottles, instead opting for functional foods that blend wellness with daily routines. Brands that deliver science-backed, snackable nutrition are winning over younger consumers.

Beef Prices Shock Food Inflation Metrics

Beef prices have shot past inflation benchmarks, driven by supply shocks, tariffs, and parasite outbreaks. As consumers pivot to poultry, food leaders face a meaty challenge in forecasting demand and managing margins.

LATAM Influence: The Latin American Consumer

Latin American (LATAM) and Hispanic consumers in the United States have a profound impact on domestic food and beverage sales. “The Hispanic/LATAM demographic forces in the United States are unmistakable and enduring,” John LeVert, managing ...

Eatertainment Implosion: Pinstripes, Rival Interactive Dining Chains Feel Pain

Pinstripes’ Chapter 11 filing underscores the eatertainment sector’s struggle with rising costs, weak food offerings, and shifting consumer habits. Experts say the concept needs reinvention – or risk becoming yesterday’s novelty.