Optimism Abounds for Foodservice Despite Recent Challenges

Despite some uncertainty about future challenges, restaurant operators, suppliers, and distributors remain optimistic about the future of foodservice.

Sustainable Packaging Goals Must Be Aspirational and Achievable

As consumers are starting to demand more sustainable packaging solutions for foodservice products, operators, suppliers, and distributors must make sound business choices in their sustainability journeys.

Talking Turkey: Inflation Altering Thanksgiving Spending

The effects of the COVID pandemic, continuing labor shortages and higher transportation costs, as well as drought and outbreaks of avian influenza, will impact Thanksgiving spending, sending turkey prices up more than 70% compared with …

Kerry Unveils Flavor Trends to Watch for 2023

This article is written and sponsored by Kerry. Each year, Kerry evaluates trending flavors and tastes across five key categories: sweet, salty snack, savory, hot and dairy-based beverages, and cold and water-based beverages. Within each category, …

Supply Chain Success Depends Upon Collaboration

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – For supply chain success, all stakeholders from manufacturers to operators must collaborate openly and effectively. That was the general theme of the “Supply Chain Talent All Star Panel” at the DMA Nashville …

Survey Reveals Four Ways Americans are Cutting Food Costs

Inflation is hitting Americans hard and is causing most to cut back everyday items. A recent survey from Attest proves that food and beverages are not immune to necessary cutbacks. Dr. Lin Carson, CEO of …

Plant-Based QSRs Boosting Consumer Trial

A growing number of plant-based burger chains are cropping up across the country as more younger consumers flock to quick service restaurants

COLUMN: Operator Notes Foodservice Lessons Learned from COVID-19

When COVID-19 crashed into my booming New Jersey food truck business in 2020, the damage was significant: State lockdowns quickly led to catering event cancellations that resulted in massive revenue losses. Not only that, but …

‘Cookie Wars’ Rev Up Over Lawsuit in Utah

Cookie chain Crumbl is suing a pair of smaller competitors, alleging their packaging and presentation are too similar to its own.

Experts’ Top 3 Flavor Trends to Watch in 2023

New flavor trends are emerging at the intersection of persistent food inflation and pent-up consumer demand leftover from COVID lockdowns.

Next Successful Franchise Opportunity Could Be Ramen

Interest in ramen has grown over the past five years, with mentions of ramen entrees increasing more than 32% during the period, mostly at full-service restaurants.

Report: Loyalty Members Defying Inflation with Higher Spending

Loyalty spending reached the highest point on record across all restaurant and convenience store concepts in 2021. This traction reflects the value of loyalty programs as a source of revenue during inflationary periods. According to …

Restaurants Get Creative to Aid Consumers Reeling from Inflation

It’s been a year of shifting priorities as inflation firmly holds its grip on the US economy. For those in the food industry, it’s a battle over managing prices while facing limited supplies and labor. …

Execs: Food Industry on Verge of Major Tech Transformation

The food industry is on the precipice of a tectonic shift, according to industry insiders. Technology is the driving force behind the projected change.

Survey Suggests Takeout, Deliveries Increasingly Popular

Inflation be damned, consumers are ordering more delivery and takeout orders today than they were prior to the recent increase in the cost of living. New global research shed light on consumer behavior and delivery …

The Food Institute Acquires Latin America-focused Food Media Assets

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2022/FINewswire/– The Food Institute, the leading source for food industry news, data, and trends, announced today that the Company has acquired four Latin America-focused food media platforms: Global Fruit Latam, Global …

Analysis: Why World Hunger is Worsening

World hunger has gotten significantly worse in recent years, with the World Food Program reporting 345 million people suffering from it.

Pickles Surging in Popularity

Pickles have been around for thousands of years, yet they appear to be as popular as ever. Whether as a side or as a burger topping, pickles have become a true staple at restaurants, especially …

QSRs Lamenting ‘Line Balk’ Trend

Much like remote working and zoom conferencing, long waits at the drive-thru line are a pandemic vestige that just won’t go away. And that’s causing line balk among consumers. As COVID-19 took hold in the …

Trends Impacting the Dairy Industry

Jennifer Pricco Braasch is a managing director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. Based in Milwaukee, she supports industry executives with creative financing solutions and industry intelligence. The Food Institute recently asked her …

Analysis: Why Consumers Crave Pumpkin Spice

Almost as ubiquitous as the changing colors of the leaves or a crisp chill in the air, the arrival of pumpkin-spice-flavored everything signals that fall is here. Ever since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte …

Case Study: TiNDLE Trying to Take Alt-Chicken to Next Level

CHICAGO – TiNDLE, plant-based chicken from Next Gen Foods that was started in Singapore in 2020, recently announced its U.S. headquarters in Chicago and hosted an open house for its new R&D and Innovation Center. …

Survey: 2023 Could be Big Year in Restaurant Tech Investment

Restaurant industry executive Kevin Bryla closely monitored the sector during the past two years, and he walked away rather impressed by operators’ resilience. Despite pandemic-related challenges, many restaurateurs displayed more than enough savvy to survive. …

Recession Still Looms as a Risk to F&B Stocks

Many investors believe that food and beverage stocks are safe places in which to hide when the stock market turns towards recession. That belief centers on a simple thesis: people still have to eat. The …

WEEKEND UPDATE: Hurricane Ian’s Impacts on Food Industry Likely Far-Reaching

Editor’s note: Article updated on 9/30: Hurricane Ian regained strength as it reached the Atlantic Ocean as the weekend approached, and the storm began moving toward the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm. Meanwhile, recovery …

Frozen Yogurt Chains Fighting to Make Comeback

Is frozen yogurt still relevant, or has its time come and gone? It depends who you ask. While major chains’ sales have dipped in recent years, the healthier-for-you dessert still appeals to many consumers.

Consumers Care About Last Mile Sustainability – Which Can Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

Could AR Restaurant Menus Boost Customer Experience?

AR restaurant menus have yet to gain traction in the U.S., yet stats suggest that fact could change rather soon.

Investors See Tough Times Ahead for Fast Casuals

It’s difficult to project how the fast-casual industry will perform in a recession. The current version of the industry hasn’t really seen one. To be sure, the fast-casual concept predates the financial crisis of the …

Study: Gen Z Flocking to Fast-Casual Restaurants

These days, members of Gen Z are flocking to quick-service restaurants. In the 12 months ending July 2022, Gen Z consumers made 5 billion total restaurant visits, and 4.3 billion of those visits were to …

How Grocers Can Prepare for a Delivery-Centric Future

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

CEO: Consumers Adopting ‘Drastic’ Lifestyle Changes, ‘Inflation Diet’

With August food prices increasing 11.4% year-over-year, Americans are experiencing a fundamental shift in their everyday patterns, with some even adopting an “inflation diet.” A recent survey by consumer research platform Attest took a closer …

Investors Demand Profitability for Delivery Stocks

Perhaps the biggest change in the equity markets over the past 18 months has been the sudden focus on profitability. For years, both public and private companies were allowed – more accurately, encouraged – to …

Thanksgiving Turkeys Could be More Expensive This Year

Avian flu and energy prices are pushing turkey prices to new heights, with breast meat going for more than $6.50 a pound.

Starbucks Plots a Revival

A wave of unionization efforts spurred by frustrated workers and outdated systems are signs that Starbucks must plot a revival. At this pivotal moment for the coffee giant, what exactly needs to change? Let’s take …

As Food Recalls Mount, Experts Urge Food Safety ‘Culture’ Change

Recent food recalls illustrate a “disturbing” lack of food safety culture, according to Dr. Vanessa Coffman. One in six Americans fall ill from foodborne illness annually these days. Making matters worse, the public is often …