Athletic Brewing – The King of NA Beer?

It comes down to how to make craft beer flavor and aroma become credible as a basic refreshment on occasions currently dominated by soft drinks. This is the real NA beverage battle the brand faces.

2023: The Year of Private Label Sets the Stage for 2024

Millennials grew up with store brands and they see them for what they are – a brand. Without a doubt, there is a transformation taking place in the private brand mainstream tier where products are moving away from strict equivalency to national brands and becoming true national brand alternatives.

Walmart Defines Adaptive Retail, the Next Evolution in Shopping

“Choose a future that puts people first – if we keep doing that, we can help people around the world live a better life. That’s what we want to do – that’s the world we want to help create.”

Alcohol and No/Low Trends in 2024

Dozens of brands are experimenting in the nonalcoholic (NA) and low-alcohol space, offering consumers the opportunity to not so much choose sides but merely choose wisely according to their preferences, dietary needs, and personal goals. 

Analysis: Albertsons’ Healthy Eating Incentives Could Set Industry Trend

“In the sea of nearly identical programs, grocers are racing to keep up by adding perks such as free delivery or bigger buy-one-get-one savings,” Upside’s Thomas Weinandy said in a blog post.

More Cheese, Please: 2024 Cheese Insights

People eat cheese for all sorts of reasons; this year, however, taste and health were the primary ones as 33% of consumers around the world considered it a necessary staple in their diets.

Innovation Tips for Plant-Based Bakery Treats

Sweet baked goods are a hotspot for indulgence-happy consumers, making convenient, sharable treats like cookies a prime target for plant-based innovation.

Mochi Mania Reaches Donut Shops

Mochi donuts are a mix between American-style donuts and Japanese mochi and originated in Hawaii. Mochi donuts are typically circular, like an American donut, but are pieced together with eight small balls that can be pulled apart and come in many different flavors. 

Preparing for Launch: CosMc’s and the Next Wave of Beverage Chains

In terms of the beverage industry overall, this is a very smart play for McDonald’s and other brands will follow.

Plant-Based Trends to Watch in 2024

What key topics will drive plant-based evolution in the year ahead? The Food Institute spoke with several industry analysts and thought leaders to outline major trends to watch in 2024 — and beyond.

Texas Roadhouse Shows Good Restaurant Operators Can Still Succeed — Even Now

Texas Roadhouse has built itself into one of the two best operators in casual dining, and one of the best operators in its entire industry.

How to Shelf Actualize in Grocery & Retail

“Grocers now have more technology at their disposal than ever before, and effectively leveraging this data to drive in-store performance has become increasingly difficult,” Boyle said.

A Hallmark Movie, but Make it Shoppable: Walmart’s Add to Heart

Airing on three platforms (YouTube, Roku, and the pocket-laden TikTok) and also playing in stores, Add to Heart is nothing if not a bold step into the media-laden retail environment increasingly influenced by in-store retail media networks.

8 Innovation Lessons from the World’s Largest C-Store Brand, 7-Eleven

Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven chief marketing & sustainability officer, explains the company’s ascent amid a digital revolution.

2024 Tech & Digital Trends in Restaurant & Retail, Part 2: The Cold Chain

“Today’s warehouses often have the three D’s – they are dull, dusty, and dangerous…automation and simulation environments can support operators in performing their jobs more efficiently and in safer work environments.”

What Dishes are Winning at Plant-Based QSRs?

Plant-based restaurants are experiencing a shakeout as operators recalibrate their menus to address economic challenges. FI checked in with T.K. Pillan, CEO of Veggie Grill, to explore how the vegan QSR is streamlining its offerings to meet evolving consumer demands.

2024 Tech & Digital Trends in Restaurant & Retail: Part 1

There is no new normal and innovation will continue to advance at lightning speed.

Global Plant-Based Products Gain Traction in America

Among the plant-based options highlighted at a recent PLMA event were convenient, handheld snacks such as porkless carnitas and alternative chicken fries.

3 Key Cybersecurity Tactics for 2024

According to the 2022 Internet Crime Report by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, the potential total loss from cybercrime in the U.S. increased from $6.9 billion in 2021 to more than $10.2 billion a year later. Current projections suggest that the cybercrime problem will only worsen.

Four Areas of Innovation Featured at the 2023 IFMA Presidents Conference

Innovation was on the menu at the 2023 IFMA Presidents Conference – including new technology, emerging international flavors, and more.

Zepbound: Latest Weapon in Weight-Loss Drug Arsenal

Eli Lilly’s Zepbound, recently approved by the FDA, is the most potent weight-loss drug yet. Could it impact the food industry? At least one expert says ‘yes.’

How the Food Industry Can Use AI to Improve Holiday Sales

LSEG analysts estimated Amazon’s advertising business will increase nearly $3 billion over last year’s fourth quarter to $14.2 billion as a result, Reuters reported.

Cider is the Next Craft Beer Movement

Like session beers, Guiver said many ciders feature a higher ABV than what many people are used to (or remember!). “We’re seeing more ciders with ABVs of 7% or more as customer trends change,” she added, “and cider is walking this line of tradition as well as approachability and innovation.”

Caffeine Craze Reaches Chewing Gum Aisle

If you have a difficult time starting your day unless you’ve had your morning cup (or three) of coffee, you’re not alone. Roughly 90 percent of Americans consume caffeine regularly, according to the United Brain …

Loitering Encouraged: Have a Seat at the C-Store

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.

How F&B Companies Can Leverage Generative AI

Generative AI burst onto the scene this year as programs like ChatGPT, Bard, and Midjourney demonstrated the vast potential of this emerging technology. Many experts predict that generative AI will soon transform how businesses operate, making right now the perfect time to get ahead of the competition.

Making LTOs Permanent: When Fans Influence Brands

Sometimes fans get the best of their preferred brands and flavors by creating demand for a once-unthinkable product or simply demanding the return of favorite LTOs.

Top Trends at the Plant Based World Expo 2023

The Food Institute was on the scene at the 2023 Plant Based World Expo taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly—tastes—while chatting with exhibitors about their offerings. Here are the top trends we spotted:

The Slow, Rewarding, Delicious Business of Branded Apples

The American apple harvest could reach 250 million bushels this year, a 1.5% increase from 2022. Branded apple varieties account for 15% to 20% of apple sales.

What Do Plant-Based Consumers Want Most?

Curiosity is the number one reason consumers try plant-based foods, but what will keep them coming back for more? At the Plant Based World Expo in New York City last week, Steve Markenson, VP of Research & Insights at The Food Industry Association, addressed this essential question.

Plant-based Dairy Indulgences Intriguing Consumers

Plant-based creamer has ascended to become the third largest plant-based category – as new product releases have highlighted.

Under the Influence: Protecting Business from Poor Influencers

It’s the influencers’ world and we’re just living in it. Here’s how to avoid the next Fyre Festival with your brand.

What’s Next in Precision Fermentation?

The global precision fermentation market is predicted to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 40.5% between 2022 – 2031. The dairy sub-segment is expected to dominate, while increasing consumer preference for plant-based meat is anticipated to fuel growth over the long-term.

Plant-Based Sweetener Innovations to Watch

The plant-based category is humming with natural sweetener innovation as artificial alternatives face mounting scrutiny from both consumers and government regulators.

Top 5 Highest-Grossing U.S. Fast-Food Chains

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.

Can Microalgae ‘Ghost Proteins’ Resurrect Alt-Meat?

Food tech startups are developing new techniques to transform microalgae into “ghost protein,” a powerful alternative protein source with an undetectable, completely neutral flavor.