FI Fast Break audio news: Nov. 15, 2023

The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on the evolution of self-checkout kiosks and customer service.

California Wage Law: The Dominos Are Poised to Fall

QSR jobs will be in high demand once the law passes as workers try to reduce their dining expenses in lieu of high food costs and an inflationary environment. More importantly, however, California just bolstered the prospects of hundreds of thousands of current and (more importantly) future fast-food workers.

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 4, 2023

This week’s Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest innovations featured at fast-food drive-thrus.

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 27, 2023

The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast updates the global sugar shortage.

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 20, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on unfortunate news for a pair of alt-meat startups.

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 13, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on California’s proposal for a $20-per-hour minimum wage for most fast-food workers.

Late-Night Fast Food Making a Comeback

After-bar snackers rejoice! Late night is back. With the resurgence of late-night activities, such as concerts and sporting events as the Covid pandemic eases, people are out and about later and looking to snack – …

FI Fast Break audio news: August 23, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the Midwest heat wave’s potential impact on agriculture.

Top 5 Highest-Grossing U.S. Fast-Food Chains

Average unit volume (AUV) speaks to a chain’s operational efficiency and overall success, indicating the average annual sales that a brand earns per restaurant—a reflection of how consumers feel about the brand itself. These are the top five highest-grossing fast-food chains in the U.S. by AUV.

FI Fast Break audio news: August 16, 2023

The latest FI news podcast touches on Aldi’s big acquisition, which could shake up the grocery category in America.

Americans Avoid Businesses Without a Drive-Thru

No drive-thru? For nearly half of Americans, that’s a deal-breaker. New research shows that 47% of U.S. consumers would simply avoid going to a store that doesn’t have a drive-thru. And twice as many people …

The Grimace Effect – How Marketing & Memes Drive Sales

Audacious, sublime, organic – these are the hallmarks of profit for brands wise enough to be confident in their values and lucky enough to thread the needle between quality-controlled seriousness and edge-of-the-internet frivolity.

Boosting the Better-for-You Beverage Offer in Foodservice

Better-for-you beverages are booming, but major foodservice players have been slow to diversify their fountain offerings. Can consumer demand for healthier alternatives turn the tides?

Fast Food Tech Evolves

The biggest names in global fast food are adjusting to the new market realities by innovating with cutting-edge technology.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 11, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest in drive-thru technology, for both QSRs and grocers.

It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s a Drone with my Pizza

Retailers can benefit from the cost savings and efficiency of drone delivery, while consumers can benefit from the convenience and accessibility of the evolving delivery method.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 4, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the reignited chicken sandwich wars at fast-food restaurants.

FI Fast Break audio news: Dec. 21, 2022

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on Tim Hortons’ unique, new sustainability initiative.

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

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 7, 2022

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the impact inflation is having on quick-service restaurants.

The Next Big Fast-Food Fight: The French Toast Stick Wars

On the foodservice battleground, the chicken sandwich wars are now giving way to … the French Toast Stick Wars. Wendy’s, Burger King, Jack in the Box, and Sonic are all offering French toast sticks now, …

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 1, 2022

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the increasing candy bar shortage ahead of the Halloween season.

Will AI Ordering Go Mainstream at Restaurants?

In response to labor shortages, some restaurants are turning to AI-powered bots that answer phones and communicate with customers.

Could Harmful ‘Forever Chemicals’ Soon Vanish?

Toxic PFAS chemicals found in items like fast-food wrappers are impossible to destroy – until now, it would appear, thanks to new research.

Experts: Savvy Ghost Kitchen Operators Can Still Succeed

Wendy’s plans to cut back on its use of ghost kitchens, but experts told The Food Institute such operations likely are here to stay.

Has Chick-fil-A Unveiled the Drive-Thru of the Future?

Chick-fil-A is testing an express drive-thru lane to speed up mobile order pick-up. The company calls its Express Drive-Thru model a “game changer” that will streamline the experience for its nearly 50 million mobile app …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 29, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine inflation’s impact on small-business owners, and how much 4th of July cookouts could cost this year. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 22, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the prospects of a looming recession, rising gas prices, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – June 22, …

FI Fast Break audio news: June 15, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the growth of the specialty food market, and Coca-Cola’s unique new cocktail in a can. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break …

Can Subway Reset as Competition Gains Steam?

Just months after revamping its menu and tapping new pitchmen, Subway is making more bold moves, as competing sandwich chains like Firehouse Subs, Jimmy John’s, and Jersey Mike’s gain market share. The world’s largest sandwich …

Dangerous ‘Forever Chemicals’ Seeping into Food Supply

For years, farmers looking for less expensive fertilizer turned to treated sewage sludge. Now, however, there’s evidence the sludge may have contaminated as many as 20 million acres with so-called forever chemicals – per- and …

FI Fast Break audio news: May 25, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine Mexican cuisine’s popularity growth and Arby’s bold menu addition. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – May 25, 2022 The …

FI Fast Break audio news: May 18, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the struggles of many ghost kitchens and update the baby formula shortage. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – May …

Analysis: How Papa Johns is Accelerating Growth

Pizza chain Papa Johns has mounted a charge during the pandemic, leading to plans to open as many as 1,800 new locations worldwide by 2025. “Our outlook for developing new stores and introducing more customers …

Vietnamese Restaurants See Opportunity at the Drive-Thru Window

Vietnamese restaurants see potential in the fast-food category. Many American cities, such as Philadelphia, Washington and San Jose, California, are experiencing a surge of new Vietnamese restaurants, reported The New York Times (April 26). And Vietnamese restaurateurs are hoping to …