Concerns About Discretionary Spending Jolt Coffee Chains

Consumer concerns about discretionary spending pushed Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks traffic lower in June, new data show.

Cold Beverages Red Hot at Coffee Fest 2022

CHICAGO – While coffee shops had previously been viewed as a “third place” to hang out and meet friends over a cup of hot java, shops are evolving to offer more cold beverages along with …

Nestlé Boosts Dairy Alternatives Investment with New Arizona Beverage Facility

As Americans grow ever more enamored with alternatives to milk, cream and other dairy-based items, Nestlé USA has decided to make a major investment in the sector with a $675 million beverage facility in Glendale, …

FI Small Bites: Coffee-less Coffee

Would you be willing to try a cup of coffee that had no coffee in it? Nope, it’s not a typo, this is real. Some companies are working on – and already have come up …

Report: Cost of Breakfast Commodities Hits 10-Year High

The cost of ingredients for breakfast staples continues to rise as global food production, processing and transportation challenges collide with higher demand from the pandemic rebound. According to the Financial Times breakfast indicator, futures prices …

Are Climate Conditions Affecting Coffee?

A new study suggests changing climate conditions might be affecting the taste, aroma, and overall quality of coffee. Trends found by researchers from Tufts and Montana State University indicated that farms at higher altitudes were …

FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 3, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine encouraging holiday retail sales news, and update trucking delays. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Nov. 3, 2021 The …

Millennials, Gen Z Fueling Coffee Sales Boom

Coffee consumption is going strong throughout the U.S., with drinks away from home on the rise and younger consumers driving the popularity of specialty, refrigerated, and ready-to-drink brews. According to the National Coffee Data Trends …

Coffee Innovations Hitting Higher Gear

Coffee’s popularity in the U.S. shows no signs of slowing. More than half of Americans over 18 years old drink coffee daily, with the average coffee drinker consuming three cups of coffee per day, as …

CEOs: Merger of Panera, Caribou, and Einstein Bros. Should ‘Turbocharge’ Growth

In a major merger announced Thursday, Panera Bread joined forces with Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels to form Panera Brands. The new group includes more than 4,000 fast-casual restaurants. The pact sent reverberations throughout …

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 4, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine Kroger’s unique new ghost kitchen setup, how restaurants are addressing wage “compression,” and the dwindling American beer market. The Food Institute Podcast · …

FI Fast Break audio news: July 28, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the surging prices of both seafood and coffee, vaccination requirements in California, and new unemployment statistics. The Food Institute Podcast · FI …

‘Double Whammy’ of Drought, Frosts in Brazil Propels Coffee Prices

Extreme weather and supply chain issues have impacted prices for the vast majority of commodities in 2021, ranging from lumber to corn. Until recently, coffee (and avocados) seemed to be surviving in an inflationary market …

Explaining ‘Shrinkflation’: An Increasingly Common Phenomenon 

Ever had the odd feeling that something you buy regularly doesn’t look quite right? It’s more than the new colors on the label or a new shape. The price is the same, but … You’re …

Coffee Subscriptions a Proven Prescription to Boost Restaurant Traffic

Free is good, as any customer will tell you, and fast-casual restaurants are beginning to see the benefits of offering free (or virtually free) coffee to drive increased traffic and revenue. In February 2020, Panera …

Coffee Prices on the Rise, But Sellers Aren’t Concerned … Yet

Some coffee purveyors say they’re not too worried – at least in the short term – about the shipping container shortage that is pressuring already tight coffee supplies, the result of a South American drought …

Consumers Expected to Wake Up to Higher Coffee Prices Soon

U.S. coffee processors are reporting significant cost increases in their operations, mostly related to transportation, and expect to raise retail prices soon. Mid-sized and smaller roasters have been hit hardest, but even larger companies say …

NextGen Coffee Is a Trend to Watch

In today’s world, people are looking for more than just an average cup of joe. And because the pandemic is keeping many consumers away from their local coffee shops, there’s a growing trend to recreate …

Have the Coffee Wars Come Home?

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, but that hasn’t stopped the global consumption of roughly 2.25 billion cups of coffee per day. What has certainly changed during this 2020 crisis is how …

National Chains Thrive, While Independent Restaurants Struggle

National chains are growing while locally owned restaurants suffer in the pandemic, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 12). Large chains have more flexibility both when it comes to moving money and locations around and …

Pandemic Turns Consumers into At-Home Baristas

The at-home coffee market is set to grow by 4.9% in 2020 to reach $15.6 billion, according to new research from Mintel. In comparison, the market experienced a total of 3.9% growth between 2015-2019. “With …

Coffee Market Heats Up

Sixty-four percent of Americans aged 18 and older surveyed in 2019 said they drink a cup of coffee every day, with 42.9% doing so just because they like the taste, according to research from MyFriendsCoffee. …

Starbucks Reopens in China, Closes First U.S. Location

Food Institute Focus – Starbucks Reopens in China, Closes First U.S. Location

Creamer Gets Creative

Food Institute Focus – Creamer Gets Creative