The lines between grocery store and restaurant have been blurring for some time now as retailers offer more takeout options for busy shoppers, but the concept can go beyond grabbing dinner while picking up groceries. …
Consumers across the country are going out to dinner more often—and much earlier—than they were before the pandemic. Turns out, being an early bird isn’t all that special anymore. “Our data indicates that fine-dining customers …
The contemporary C-store is not just a place of commerce and connection, but community and expanded food/bev services. No Loitering signs are giving way to invitations to pull up, sit down, and stay a while.
While 40% of India’s residents are vegetarian, there’s still a large addressable market open to omnivore cuisine. Plus, much of the country is infatuated with western culture – a fact QSRs are taking note of.
There has been a sizable population shift to America’s Sun Belt as well as its suburbs and rural areas in recent years. That fact has reshaped the nation’s commercial real estate, experts say.
A recent confluence of headlines reporting a shift in sales and venture-backed capitalism indicate a change in consumer mindsets surrounding alt meat products and their pseudo-competitors – particularly seafood, fungi, and the versatile mushroom.
What are the major trends shaping the natural and organic products industry today? The Food Institute checked in with industry analysts on the floor at Expo East 2023 to glean the top trends and takeaways …
Are you eating enough protein? Some experts argue the daily recommended 0.8 grams per kg of body weight isn’t nearly enough. “There seems to be no question that protein is needed in times of growth …
No matter how you feel about Jimmy Buffett and “Margaritaville,” the man built a billion-dollar empire from a napkin.
The race to integrate AI chatbots into third-party food delivery apps is on, but major players like DoorDash and Uber Eats are holding their cards close to their chest, for now. Neither company has publicly …
Hot honey is back. The question is, did it ever leave? Helping prompt this question is Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut has been making a quiet comeback in the QSR market the last few years; it …
On a recent earnings call, Yum Brands announced its goal to make 100% of its global system sales digital transactions.
When a food says “natural” on it, 51% of U.S. adults assume the product is made entirely of whole ingredients and 49% believe there are no preservatives.
As the days get shorter and the sound of each crisp breeze rustling through the trees seems to whisper, “pumpkin spice,” it’s time to shine a light on the other fall flavors that consumers crave. …
Starbucks appears poised to overtake Subway as America’s most prolific QSR. Smalltown locations could be key in helping the coffee chain reach its goals.
Average unit volume (AUV) speaks to a chain’s operational efficiency and overall success, indicating the average annual sales that a brand earns per restaurant—a reflection of how consumers feel about the brand itself. These are the top five highest-grossing fast-food chains in the U.S. by AUV.
Despite persistent inflation and cost-of-living concerns, consumers continue to seek out prepared foods for their ease and convenience. In a new survey from good natured, 72% of respondents claimed they have consistently purchased or increased …
No drive-thru? For nearly half of Americans, that’s a deal-breaker. New research shows that 47% of U.S. consumers would simply avoid going to a store that doesn’t have a drive-thru. And twice as many people …
Audacious, sublime, organic – these are the hallmarks of profit for brands wise enough to be confident in their values and lucky enough to thread the needle between quality-controlled seriousness and edge-of-the-internet frivolity.
As the Hispanic Heritage Month approaches this September, the spotlight shines on the vibrant and ever-growing influence of Latin American cuisine on mainstream culinary trends in the U.S. The Food Institute’s upcoming Latam Food Week …
CHICAGO – Product developers and food scientists from over 70 countries learned about the latest in food ingredients and technologies recently at the IFT FIRST 2023: Annual Event and Conference. The Institute of Food Technologists …
For 16 harrowing months at the height of the Covid pandemic, Dr. Morgaine Gaye lost her sense of taste and smell. The experience, she said, “was mind-blowing.” Turns out, you talk an awful lot about …
To cook or not to cook, that is the question. But with grocery prices slowing their increase and restaurant prices rising at a faster pace, the question becomes whether consumers will opt to hone their …
It appears we’re in the middle of a Latin American food renaissance. Twelve Latin American restaurants are among the fifty best restaurants in the world according to a recent ranking – and three Latin establishments …
Though McDonald’s McCafé Bakery concept worked to an extent, it didn’t translate to more snack and coffee sales between mealtimes.
Domino’s and Pizza Hut are two of the largest pizza chains in the U.S., but each have encountered some turbulence in recent years. In April, Domino’s reported a slowdown in its delivery business, and Pizza …
Restaurant chains specializing in spicy offerings are gathering steam in 2023. Case in point: Dave’s Hot Chicken, which grew from two locations to 118 over the past few years, saw May 2023 visits increase 126.6% …
A new report by Brandwatch shows the plant-based category is largely idling while QSRs serving bowls are gaining traction.
World-renowned chef Massimo Bottura spoke with The Food Institute recently and shared his secrets to food industry success.
Alcohol to-go has become a permanent fixture around the United States, presenting a massive growth opportunity for businesses.
The recent struggles of MrBeast Burger – currently available at more than 2,000 restaurants – could be an ominous sign for all virtual brands. Ubiquitous YouTuber MrBeast, aka Jimmy Donaldson, wrote multiple statements in frustration …
The third-party delivery market has had a large number of competitors over the years, but it looks it’s headed toward becoming a duopoly.
Everyone knows “El Nino” by now – hot weather. Big winds. And once again in 2023, much of the world will gain a better grasp of this unpredictable meteorological phenomenon. El Nino generally refers to …
Chicago is reclaiming its role as a national leader in food production and access. But it needs more help from the city’s leadership, according to one industry insider.
New research illustrates the palate Americans have developed for Asian food over the years. Pew Research found that nearly three-quarters of all U.S. counties (73%) now have at least one Asian restaurant of some kind. …
During the pandemic, many Americans did what they could to support their favorite restaurants. Now, however, many of these same consumers who were sympathetic to a struggling industry are fed up with the lack of …
