What Convenience Means to Each Generation of Shoppers

Convenience is a high priority for most grocery shoppers regardless of demographic, but is especially high for millennials.

Study: Italian Cuisine Most Popular Worldwide, Edging Japanese

Restaurant customers appear to be as intrigued as ever by exploring foreign flavors – with a specific focus on Italian cuisine. A new study confirms as much; The Picky Eater website analyzed the world’s most …

The Teens Have Spoken: Chick-fil-A Remains Favorite Restaurant

Three things remain constant in life: death, taxes, and Chick-fil-A. In Piper-Sandler’s recent survey of teen spending in the U.S., the Georgia-based restaurant chain still struts its stuff above Starbucks and Chipotle and accounts for …

Frozen Pizza’s Popularity Spikes Amid Inflation

A new report by Vericast illustrated the lengths consumers are going to save amid inflation. More than anything, many consumers are bypassing restaurants in favor of cooking frozen pizza at home. Vericast’s 2023 Restaurant TrendWatch …

Report: Food Prices Surge in Urban Areas

The pain of high food prices is especially acute in some major metropolitan areas, with August 2021 to August 2022 seeing the largest annual increase since the 1980s, a U.S. Government Accountability Office report found. …

Survey: Boosting Alt-Meat Adoption

A new survey by Sweet Earth explores the decline in alt-meat adoption to source potential solutions to reignite consumer interest.

Vietnamese Cuisine is Exploding, Flavorfully, in America

If the U.S. is truly a melting pot, sandwiches like the banh mi could be considered quintessential American fare. It also makes sense that another menu item of Vietnamese origin – pho (soup featuring rice …

5 Secrets to Winning Over ‘Zoomer’ Consumers

At the recent Future Menus 2023 – a gathering of menu innovators from around the world – emerging food trends were discussed. This year, it was all about offering “arm candy”, as well as appealing …

Webinar Shows ‘Healthy’ Top of Mind for Consumers

The Food Institute was recently joined by two registered dieticians to discuss the state of wellness for the Food Industry. Marie Molde (MBA, RD) from Datassential and Barbara Ruhs (MS, RDN, RD) from Avocados from …

Basket Case: Consumers’ Top 10 Easter Candies

Easter is right around the corner on April 9, and with that comes baskets and egg hunts filled with oodles of candy. Roughly 85% of consumers plan to celebrate Easter this year, and 50% of …

Keto 2.0 Is Less Restrictive Than Keto – Is It Less Effective, Too?

In many ways, keto 2.0 attempts to remedy the pitfalls of the traditional keto diet. This new take on a ketogenic diet is less extreme and more well-rounded, but is it as effective for weight …

Gen Alpha Kids Are Already Influential Consumers

Gen Alpha kids – comprised of children with birth years starting in 2013 – have already developed powerful brand affinities, according to the latest survey from Morning Consult. By 2025, Gen Alpha will number more …

Natural, Organic Food Sales on the Rise

Once was a niche product category, natural and organic foods have now become a thriving sector.

International Cuisine, Natural Ingredients Could Define 2023

A new report suggests healthful ingredients, indulgent dishes, and exotic international cuisine could dominate menus in the months ahead. Cozymeal’s 23 Food Trends for 2023 report made it clear that products catering to the health …

Study Suggests Plant-Based Category Losing Luster

The Food Institute spoke with Rob Dongoski, Agribusiness Leader at EY, about the future of alternative proteins and whether consumers have moved on.

Report: Assessing the Post-Pandemic Alcohol Landscape

Consumers are embracing ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails and drinking at home at a significant rate, according to a new Circana report on alcohol. “The pandemic has been a huge influence on the beverage industry. People got …

Latin, Asian Food Innovation on Display at COEX Event

TAMPA, Florida – A record number of chain restaurant operators, on-premise providers, foodservice manufacturers and others attended the COEX event on March 5-7. Among the food industry event’s highlights: Jack Li and Megan Lynberg of …

Despite Challenges, St. Patrick’s Day Celebrations are Back

As the pandemic wanes, the National Restaurant Federation says 61% of consumers expect to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, spending an average of about $44.

In the Age of Self-Checkout, Great Employees Can Offer Standout Experiences

Convenience is an important aspect of the modern retail landscape, from self-checkout lines to completely cashier-free stores, but frontline associates can still define the experience — particularly in grocery.

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 …

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?

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.

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 …

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.

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 …

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?

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.

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.

Study: Portion Control Top of Mind for Many Americans

The goal of Georgetown’s study was to learn whether America’s eating habits have changed lately. Clearly, Americans now want smaller portions.

Report: Gen Z, Millennials Boosting Candy Sales

New research suggests many consumers have an undeniable sweet tooth these days, and candy sales back that up. A report by the National Confectioners Association (NCA) revealed that non-chocolate candy is the second-largest selling confectionery …

Report: Alcohol Increasingly Part of Super Bowl Parties

It appears overall alcohol consumption will be up at Super Bowl parties this year. Research by retail insights company 84.51°, however, shows an eye-opening drop in planned alcohol consumption among younger adults this year.

America’s Top 3 Grocery Stores Ranked by Consumers

Aldi was named America’s most popular grocery store overall, but it wasn’t the favorite among every demographic, according to a recent poll.