The Food Institute

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Q4 Crunch Time: Foodservice Foot Traffic & Trend Insights

Foot traffic and consumer trends are shifting across the foodservice landscape—from fast-casual to full-service to quick-service segments. The Food Institute hosted a data-driven discussion on the factors shaping restaurant performance in the second half of ...

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Floral Flavors Blossom on Drink, Dessert Menus

Floral flavors like rose and lavender are in full bloom, emerging in everything from pancakes and baked goods to lattes and lemonades. According to Rubix Foods’ NEXT Flavor Report, 67% of Gen Z diners want to see more floral notes on menus and shelves.

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6 Food Trends to Watch in 2026

From sourdough to zero-sugar energy drinks, 2026’s expected food trends blend indulgence with wellness. Flatbreads, protein-packed snacks, and air-fried favorites signal a shift toward gut-friendly, cost-conscious innovation.

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CEO’s ‘Divine Timing’ Sparks Chi-Chi’s Tex-Mex Renaissance

The Chi-Chi’s restaurant chain is back, revived by the founder’s son with scratch-made Tex-Mex and a nostalgia-fueled equity campaign. With sold-out reservations and $2.3M raised, expansion plans are already in motion.

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Government Shutdown: How the Food Industry Could Feel the Heat

A prolonged government shutdown could jam inspections, stall product launches, and choke supply chains, just as harvest season hits. For F&B leaders, strategic planning and regulatory clarity may be the next casualties.

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LATAM Influence: The Latin American Consumer

Latin American (LATAM) and Hispanic consumers in the United States have a profound impact on domestic food and beverage sales. “The Hispanic/LATAM demographic forces in the United States are unmistakable and enduring,” John LeVert, managing ...

The Cult of Crab Rangoon: Consumers Crave Nostalgia, ‘Play’

Independent Grocers See Hope Amid the Headwinds

Why AI Is the New Grocery Gatekeeper

Q4 Crunch Time: Foodservice Foot Traffic & Trend Insights

Play Next

Food for Thought Leadership: Kellanova’s Deepali Palta on AI, Sustainability, and Growth

Why Is Everyone Excited for the Winter FancyFaire?

FI Spotlight: Surviving Tariffs – True Stories from Food Entrepreneurs

Metabolic Health and Weight Management in the GLP-1 Era

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Metabolic Health and Weight Management in the GLP-1 Era

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FI Spotlight: What Makes Maduros So Special?

Food for Thought Leadership: Kellanova’s Deepali Palta on AI, Sustainability, and Growth

Kellanova vice president Dr. Deepali Palta shares how a focus on the consumer, business, and technology impact global innovation at the company.

Listen Next

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 8, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast provides an update on the government shutdown and discusses how the event could impact food and beverage businesses.

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Chicken, Consumers & Change: A Poultry Market Overview

City National Bank’s Eric Viergutz interviews Wayne-Sanderson Farms CFO T.J. Wolfe on the U.S. chicken market.

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FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 1, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on talks of a potential government shutdown, and its possible impact on the livestock market.

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Food for Thought Leadership: Nostalgia vs. Novelty with Mike Kostyo

Menu Matters vice president Mike Kostyo joins Chris Campbell to discuss the push and pull between nostalgia and novelty in the food industry.

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FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 24, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Americans’ lessened confidence in the safety of the food supply.

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Culinary Innovation at Anuga 2025: The Flavor Fusion Culinary Showdown

JP Hartmann, Preeti Shah, and Nikki Jackson explain the Flavor Fusion Culinary Showdown at Anuga 2025, and U.S. involvement in the show.

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FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 17, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Amazon’s next global Prime Big Deal Days, Oct. 7-8, which offer major retail discounts.

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FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 10, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on the growing concern from American consumers regarding food recalls.

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Events

Sep

Metabolic Health and Weight Management in the GLP-1 Era (Webinar)

Oct

Q4 Crunch Time: Foodservice Foot Traffic & Trend Insights (Webinar)

Oct

Automating Food Production with AI-Enabled Robots (Webinar)

Publications

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FI Report September 2025