In this week’s food industry news in 2 minutes, we examine why some are saying this is the summer of deep-fried chicken, as the fast-food industry rolls out new product after new product featuring the protein. Sales at chicken chains grew 8.9% in 2024 from the prior year, as rising beef costs steer many consumers away from burgers, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story
In other food and beverage news, AI is revolutionizing food supply chains – from predictive maintenance to drone-powered inventory – boosting efficiency, quality, and resilience. But for many, the challenge isn’t potential; it’s cutting through the hype to find real ROI. FI Focus
And finally, brands are increasingly collaborating on snack and beverage mashups in playful crossovers. For example, Mountain Dew and Trolli teamed up on limited-edition sour gummy worms and a zero-sugar Cherry Lemon soda, reported Food Dive. Full Story
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