Tag: consumer behavior
The Foodservice Industry Unites at DMA’s 2025 Fall Conference
SAN ANTONIO – Foodservice distributors, manufacturers, operators, and insights teams gathered at the InterContinental San Antonio Riverwalk Nov. 18-20, for Distribution Market Advantage’s 2025 Fall Conference. At the event, presentations and panel discussions focused on …
GLP-1 Prediction for 2026: Smarter Portions Will Become Prevalent
GLP-1 drugs are reshaping consumer habits, pushing food makers and restaurants to rethink portions, menus, and indulgence. Circana forecasts lasting demand for protein-rich, wellness-focused options as health-conscious behaviors persist even beyond GLP-1 use.
FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 19, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on the growing list of restaurant chains and operating groups that have filed for bankruptcy.
3 Innovations Fueling the Growth of the Ice Cream Market
Plant-based brands, unique textures, and bold global flavors are reshaping the ice cream category. As billion-dollar deals churn, brands are focused on innovation in a competitive, sensory-driven market.
Plant-Based Faces Headwinds, Yet Pockets of Growth Persist
Now that the plant-based market has matured, it must contend with many of the same problems as the meat industry, including eking out margins as consumers tighten their wallets. However, dairy alternatives continue to be a bright spot for the sector.
Snack to the Future: How Food Brands Can Secure Gen Alpha Customers
Gen Alpha is redefining brand loyalty through flavor exploration, social rituals, and sensory-driven snacks. Food brands that spark chatter and embrace kid-centric culture are winning hearts, along with future market share.
Diners Demand Deals: Why ‘Worth It’ Is the New Must-Have
As diners tighten their belts, value-driven promotions and loyalty perks are proving key to filling restaurant seats. With rising costs and waning confidence, restaurants must deliver far more than just a meal.
The Easiest Meals to Eat on the Go, According to Kelley Blue Book
Kelley Blue Book’s “Fork in the Road” guide spotlights the top car-friendly fast-food picks for mess-free mobile dining. Boneless bites are on the rise, highlighting shifting consumer preferences in QSR innovation.
Gen Z, Millennial Consumers Leading ‘Anti-Algorithm’ Movement
Mintel’s 2026 forecast urges brands to embrace empowered aging, algorithm-free authenticity, and affection-driven design. Food leaders can tap into these shifts to craft experiences that nourish identity, connection, and purpose.
Gen X: The New MVP of Food Industry Spending
Gen Xers may represent the “forgotten generation,” but their loyalty, functionality-first mindset, and $39 trillion inheritance make them a retail force. Ignore their evolving wellness habits and omnichannel expectations at your brand’s peril.
Top 5 National Coffee Chains, Ranked by Craveability
Peet’s tops craveability rankings as consumers seek quality, innovation, and value in a $58.5 billion café market. From cardamom lattes to celebrity collabs, chains are brewing bold strategies to win loyalty amid rising prices.
Candy-flation Is No Match for Halloween Cravings
Despite soaring cocoa prices and shifting consumer budgets, Halloween candy sales are anything but scary. Non-chocolate confections and TikTok-fueled innovations are keeping the sweet season alive, even as chocolate feels the squeeze.
Upgraded Convenience, Thoughtfully Sweet Among 5 Whole Foods Trends for 2026
The Whole Foods Trend Council has been busy this year understanding the forces driving consumer behavior. They found that minimally processed foods that simplify the grocery experience while packing a punch will reach new heights in 2026.
The Power of the Consumer: Top Industry Execs Share the Latest Food Retail Insights
Move Over Dirty Soda, Heavy Soda Goes Viral
Heavy soda — an ultra-sweet, syrup-heavy twist on fountain drinks — is gaining viral traction and nostalgic appeal. With minimal operational lift, it offers high-margin potential and Gen Z buzz for savvy beverage retailers.
Millennials, Gen Z Prefer Functional Foods to Supplements
Millennials and Gen Z are often ditching traditional pill bottles, instead opting for functional foods that blend wellness with daily routines. Brands that deliver science-backed, snackable nutrition are winning over younger consumers.
Investors Keep the Faith With Candy Giants Hershey, Mondelez
Inflation, cocoa chaos, and Ozempic-fueled appetite shifts have battered Hershey and Mondelez, but investors still believe in their near-term outlook. A merger may be the lifeline that turns things around.
Specialty Cheese Is In, Top Challengers Up 9.2% YoY
Specialty cheese challengers are surging, outpacing legacy brands with innovation and indulgent appeal as the market nears $41.1 billion. Consumers are trading up for emotional satisfaction, fueling growth in premium formats and adventurous milk blends.
Upsetting the Apple Cart: Honeycrisp Apple Prices Soar
Honeycrisp apple prices have surged 160% amid crop shortages, rising labor costs, and limited imports. Retailers are pivoting to Cosmic Crisp, frozen produce, and private labels as shoppers seek relief from premium fruit sticker shock.
Investors Have Lost Faith in Conagra and the Industry
Conagra’s stock plunge reveals deep investor doubts about the packaged food sector’s ability to navigate inflation, tariffs, and margin pressure. With volume and pricing power eroding, the industry may be facing a new, uncomfortable normal.
Amazon Prime Day 2025 Inspires Nearly 155K Orders
Amazon Prime Day 2025 smashed records with over $24 billion in sales, fueled by influencer-led campaigns and F&B category dominance. Grocery deals drove traffic, while Premier Protein Shakes emerged as the event’s MVP.
Foodservice Focus: Consumers Can’t Get Enough of Texas Roadhouse, Chick-fil-A
Legacy chains like Chick-fil-A are seeing customer satisfaction scores hold even as growth slows, opening doors for challenger QSRs. Meanwhile, full-service dining has largely stumbled amid rising prices.
Baby Boomers: A Restaurant’s Reliable Friend
Baby Boomers offer restaurants a loyal customer who tends to be more resilient compared to younger cohorts. Contrary to popular belief, data suggests that this cohort is excited by innovative dishes, particularly those that invoke nostalgia, comfort, or function.
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Energy Drink Makers Navigate a Choppy Environment
Energy drinks hit turbulence in 2024, with Celsius and Monster both facing unexpected sales slowdowns. While stock prices have rebounded, lingering consumer uncertainty raises questions about the sector’s long-term prospects.
Why 2025 is the ‘Year of the Sauce’
Sauces are no longer just a sidekick – they’re driving one of 2025’s biggest food trends, blending bold flavors with convenience and versatility. Food businesses that embrace this shift can captivate consumers and boost sales, according to both chefs and CEOs.
Feeling Peachy: Summer Darling Leads Beverage Innovation
Peach-enhanced menu items are growing in popularity, now on 19.8% of foodservice menus, according to one report. The fruit has found its stride in beverage innovation, with legacy brands experimenting with the flavor.
5 Thriving Fast-Food Chains in 2025
Despite rising costs, 2025 is shaping up to be a fairly strong year for many restaurant chains, with top players like Cava and Chick-fil-A thriving by mastering efficiency, marketing, and customer experience. The smartest brands are pricing strategically and leveraging technology to drive success.
Economic Strain: Food Bill Gets Unruly
Despite wage gains, food inflation continues to outpace earnings, leaving consumers increasingly anxious about grocery costs. Meanwhile, new tariffs threaten to disrupt the food industry, with stakeholders bracing for volatile pricing and potential shifts in shopper loyalty.
Tiny Tastemakers: Gen Alpha Dubbed ‘The Foodie Generation’
Gen Alpha’s distinct food and beverage preferences, coupled with its astonishing $5.5 trillion global market share by 2029, shape it up to drive a sustained impact on the food and beverage industry. Learn about why some are calling them “the foodie generation.”
Winner, Loser Disparity Widens Among Casual Dining Eateries
Casual-dining stocks have significantly outperformed the market over the past three years, with Brinker International especially posting eye-opening returns, while chains such as Applebee’s continue to struggle. Clearly, consumers are rewarding brands that offer differentiated experiences.
Diageo Considers American Brand-Selling Strategy
Diageo, the spirits giant, is shifting its long-standing strategy by selectively selling off brands. The industry is watching closely to see whether this pivot will strengthen Diageo’s future or mirror the struggles of American food conglomerates.
Korean Cuisine Takes Center Stage at NRA Show
Fusion-driven Korean entrees, cleaner frying oils, and multi-textured beverages were a few underrated trends on display at the recent NRA Show. From indulgent Gochujang Fried Chicken Sliders to Noli Fruit Oil’s eco-conscious frying solution and TikTok-worthy Fiery Dill Pickle Lemonade, brands tapped into recent trends.
The Diet of the Future: Seaweed, Kimchi, Ancient Grains
By 2050, the average consumer’s diet will look much different than today, shaped by AI, sustainability, and ethically sourced ingredients. Experts predict that ancient grains, fermented foods, and berries will land on consumers’ plates far more frequently in the future.
Target Has Fallen Behind Retail Rivals – Again
Target has struggled to define a unique place in its market, watching rivals like Walmart and Costco capitalize on growth opportunities while its own stock and sales falter. Target’s leadership now faces a critical moment to convince investors that it can once again turn challenges into triumphs.
The ‘Return to Real’ Trend: Why ‘Simple’ is the New Superfood
The “Return to Real” trend signals a growing consumer shift toward authenticity–favoring simple, transparent ingredients and tangible, in-person experiences over hyper-enhanced, tech-driven products. For food industry leaders, this presents a chance to embrace nostalgia, highlight natural ingredients, and rethink marketing strategies to align with consumers’ craving for genuine connection.