Economy Inspiring Big Changes Among Wine Brands

Recent financially driven decisions by major wine producer E&J Gallo underscore key changes impacting its industry. In the changing U.S. wine industry, it appears “less” may be “more.”

Report: Latest Fast-Food Innovation Paced by Taco Bell

At 2023’s outset, several restaurant chains have been innovating their dine-in experience to stay relevant and competitive; some with great success. A recent report by Placer.ai noted that some chains are making waves with consumers …

Is AI the Future of Grocery Customer Service?

AI is the future of food retail. A recent study found that the global AI-in-retail market was worth $8.4 billion in 2022 and will jump to nearly $46 billion by 2032.

CPG: Economic Pressure Impacting All Consumer Groups

Economic pressure continues to put a squeeze on consumers across all income tiers, leaving them vulnerable to further downturns in the year ahead.

America’s Top 5 Grocery Loyalty Programs in 2023

As food prices continue to rise in these economically uncertain times, value is at the forefront of many consumers’ minds and grocery loyalty programs are more important than ever. But which grocery loyalty programs do consumers value most?

Q&A: Nestlé Targets Plant-Based at University Dining Halls

The success of plant-based in food service will come down to making foods “attractive and craveable so that they are the choice and not the compromise to a meal experience,” according to one Nestlé executive.

Texas Roadhouse: A Blueprint for Success

Texas Roadhouse is defying the odds and welcoming more guests than ever, even as other establishments have been forced to scale back.

The Food Industry’s ‘Unique Vulnerabilities’ to Cyberattacks

Cyberattacks at food companies have sounded alarms throughout the industry, leaving many businesses wondering when they will be attacked.

Resurgence of Avian Influenza Predicted in Spring

The USDA predicted a resurgence of avian influenza in spring as wild birds begin their semiannual migration.

Larger Manufacturers Are Winning the Price Wars

2022 was a fantastic year for larger food manufacturers, and there’s one clear reason why: the majors have been able to stress pricing.

Report: Less Than Half of Consumers Grocery Shop In-Store

Walking into a grocery store used to be how most people bought groceries, but now only 44% of consumers do most of their shopping on premises.

C-stores Innovating Foodservice Offerings

  Convenience-store operators are embracing creativity. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, 70% of C-store leaders say innovating foodservice offerings is a top priority. C-store customers seem ready for the innovation as well. …

How Omnichannel Experiences Build Loyalty

Providing a seamless experience is more than one great transaction—it’s using omnichannel opportunities to meet shoppers wherever they are.

Cell-Cultured Snapshot: How to “Make” Meat

Cell-cultured meat continues to expand on a global scale as start-ups and major meat producers target the category. But how exactly are cuts of cultivated meat created — and how soon can consumers purchase these products?

How Bioprotection Naturally Prevents Moldy Yogurt

Bioprotection prevents yeast and mold from growing, extending the shelf life of fermented foods and the manufacturer’s bottom line.

Poll: Consumer Optimism Plummeting

Optimism grew around the world last year as the pandemic receded and economies improved, an Ipsos poll of 24,000 global citizens indicated, but that consumer optimism faded as 2023 dawned. Many of those queried expressed …

Fast Food Tech Evolves

The biggest names in global fast food are adjusting to the new market realities by innovating with cutting-edge technology.

Analysis: Why Private-label Product Sales are Surging

In trying to control household costs, consumers often turn to private-label products, which the Private Label Manufacturers Association reported grew at 11.3% — to a record $228.6 billion last year. “Lacking the marketing cost component …

Another City Bans Junk Food at Supermarket Checkout

Perris, California has become the second U.S. city to ban junk food at supermarket checkouts, replacing sugary snacks with healthier alternatives.

Game On: Restaurants Use Gaming Tech to Boost Efficiency

Restaurants are a tricky business and the competition is fierce. That’s one reason why it’s imperative to set yourself apart and find ways to attract and retain high-quality employees. In that spirit, Perfect Company recently …

The Future of Digital Grocery is Data-Driven

Now that digital grocery has become normalized, future growth will depend on creating a service that can stand out from the competition.

Foodservice Distributors Continue to Prosper

2022 was a strong year for food and beverage stocks – and particularly the biggest manufacturers in the industry. On average, including dividends, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Campbell Soup, Kellogg, and Conagra Brands returned 22.6%. …

COLUMN: Answer to Plant-based Segment’s Issues Found in Forests, Biotech

Clean, natural, plant-based proteins could help strengthen the industry segment amid market volatility, according to one CEO.

3 Keys to Understanding Gen Z Employees

The generation gap is back. Gen Zers say they’re misunderstood by their elders – including those people who a couple of generations back said they’d never trust anyone over 30. How did we get here? …

Catching Lightning: TikTok & Blowing Up Your Brand

The TikTok algorithm doesn’t care about followers; it cares about what you watch. The No. 1 thing consumers watch is authentic brands and people.

Study: Consumers Crave Instantly Edible Foods Most

Instantly edible food that does not need to be cooked, peeled, or unwrapped is around 15% more appealing than food that requires any form of preparation, according to a new study.

Search Still on for Convenient Peanut-allergy Pill

The new peanut-allergy treatment Palforzia has been slow to gain acceptance, due to both its price and its inconvenient treatment regimen. Meanwhile, two other peanut-allergy medications are in the development stages.

Report: CAVA & Chicken Salad Chick Earn Rave Reviews

As inflation persists, it becomes more challenging for restaurants to lure customers. Nevertheless, new research shows a few chains are making strides when it comes to winning guests. Merchant Centric, a data analytics and reputation …

3 Emerging Technologies About to Reshape Food Retail

Tech companies are transforming grocery retail with innovative solutions to common problems in the checkout aisle, on store shelves, and beyond.

The Kids Aren’t Alright: Restaurant Bans Children Under 10

You’re sitting at the table in a moderately priced restaurant, and the 9-year-old twins at the next table are throwing rolls at each other, or the 5-year-old behind you is having a melt-down because he …

Can Vegan Dating Apps Impact the Plant-Based Category?

A growing number of vegan dating apps are putting a social spin on the plant-based movement. But how relevant are these meatless match-making services to the food industry at large?

Impossible Challenge? Are Alt-Meat Company’s Layoffs an Ominous Sign?

Impossible Foods recently laid off 20% of its employees. Is this the beginning of the end for alt-meat?

Free Decatur Supermarket Shuttle Drives Shoppers to Publix

City officials in Decatur, Georgia have partnered with Publix to test out a free electric shuttle that drives shoppers to the supermarket following the closure of a downtown Kroger location.

3 Keys for Employee Retention in 2023

The past few years have presented numerous challenges to business owners, including an ongoing labor shortage. The hospitality industry certainly isn’t immune to the struggles of employee retention. “For a long time, the hospitality industry …

NA Drinks & Wings Win Super Bowl Sunday

Chicken wings are cheap and beer is expensive. Amid inflation, brands need an omnichannel approach to reach consumers, especially as it relates to snacking.

Weakened Chicken Demand Pummels Tyson

Tyson Foods’ first quarter earnings missed Wall Street estimates as improved beef and pork supplies weakened demand for chicken, the company said. And chief financial officer John R. Tyson said the next quarter also will …