FI Fast Break audio news: May 7, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Starbucks’ big plans to boost afternoon traffic, an uptick in cyberattacks, and more.

FI Fast Break audio news: April 28, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on what, exactly, defines the latest U.S. “vibecession,” as well as more industry news.

The New Rules of Food Innovation in the Age of GLP-1

The popularity of GLP-1 medications is compelling brands to innovate with smarter portion sizes and functional ingredients. This shift represents a revolutionary convergence of biotech, nutrition science, and consumer demand, reshaping how food supports appetite management and metabolic health.

FI Fast Break audio news: April 16, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on a study that puts the impact of recent strikes in an eye-opening perspective.

FI Fast Break audio news: April 9, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on messaging about carbon footprints on food labels that may be key to sustainable food choices.

The Stock Market Thinks Tariffs (Mostly) Benefit Food Industry

Tariffs rattled the stock market, leading to a sharp overall decline, yet food industry stocks like McDonald’s demonstrated resilience, buoyed by their perceived safety in economic downturns. This reaction highlights the food sector’s potential advantages in navigating recessionary environments.

Tariffs and Trade Wars: How the Food Industry Can Adapt

Fresh tariff legislation is reshaping the food industry’s landscape, with skyrocketing costs and logistical hurdles threatening the flow of fresh produce across North America. To thrive in this era of uncertainty, businesses must embrace innovation, leveraging automated tools and real-time data to adapt swiftly and maintain supply chain efficiency.

FI Fast Break audio news: April 2, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on the future of the Hooters restaurant chain, after it filed for bankruptcy on March 31.

FI Fast Break audio news: March 26, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on an innovative new product that uses pea protein and targets those using weight-loss drugs.

FI Fast Break audio news: March 19, 2025

The latest FI Fast Break news podcast notes new research that points to the link between diet and lung cancer.

‘Bed Rotting’ Culture: What the F&B Industry Needs to Know

A common social media trend, so-called “bed rotting” has taken over Gen Z and Millennial culture, granting a permissible indulgence in snacking and scrolling. The food industry is reacting accordingly.

Seal the Deal: Proven Tips for Slashing Food Packaging Costs

Businesses can significantly reduce food packaging costs by using strategies like group purchasing. In 2024, there is an ever-growing list of factors to consider first, however.

Uber, Lyft, Take Minimum Wage Debate to Next Level in Massachusetts

Agreement by Uber and Lyft in Massachusetts to pay a minimum wage of $32.50 an hour plus some benefits to drivers takes the whole minimum wage debate to a new level and raises questions about what it will mean to other sectors.

Column: Why Your Company Needs an Innovation Center

An Innovation CoE is the creative engine of an organization, dedicated to spotting the next big trends, carving out new opportunities, and developing strategic, forward-thinking solutions.

Column: The Food Industry is at a Crossroads

Food industry leaders face myriad challenges in the months ahead, like elevated inflation, geopolitical risks, and economic recession. How leaders act could serve as a litmus test for long-term success or failure.

Experts: Weather-Related Disasters Increasing, Taking Toll on Food Industry

As of October 11, the U.S. has experienced a total of 15 billion-dollar weather and climate disasters this year, making 2022 the eighth consecutive year with 10 or more billion-dollar weather and climate-related disasters.

Execs: Food Industry on Verge of Major Tech Transformation

The food industry is on the precipice of a tectonic shift, according to industry insiders. Technology is the driving force behind the projected change.

7-Eleven’s Recent Acquisition Could Reshape Delivery Space

7-Eleven’s recent acquisition of start-up Skipcart offers the convenience store chain many future opportunities, a consultant said.

IRI: Consumers Seeking Bargains Amid Inflation

Grocery shoppers are on the hunt for deals with food-at-home prices rising 14.4% year-over-year as of July 31.

Analysis: Why Demand for Cold Storage is Sky High

The food industry feels cold storage space helps hedge against volatile agriculture prices, but such space is in short supply of late.

The Psychology of Food: A Deeper, Actionable Understanding of the Modern Consumer

Food and beverage companies have historically used demographic analysis to understand consumer and shopper behavior. The traditional demographic framework involves segmenting a population into buckets based on age (e.g., Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennial, Gen ...

Food & Beverage Industry M&A: What to Expect in 2022

This webinar, hosted by the Food Institute, will look at the major M&A trends in the food and beverage industry in 2022, featuring presentations by John Siegler of BMO Capital Markets and David Schoeder of ...

Probiotics: Consumer Perceptions and Opportunities

More than ever, consumers are prioritizing health and finding ways to make positive changes to their lifestyle. To address wellness needs in this health-focused consumer landscape, food processors turn to functional ingredients like probiotics to ...

Navigating the Supply Chain Crisis in 2022

As we enter 2022, many food and beverage executives are wondering if the supply chain crisis will abate this year. In this FI-exclusive webinar, we delve into the questions that are top-of-mind for many companies: ...

FI Small Bites: Is Walmart Getting into the “Metaverse?”

Walmart recently filed applications to engage in business in the virtual world, a significant move amidst Facebook’s new launch of Meta.

2022 Outlook of Plant-Based and Next Gen Protein

With plant-based products making deep inroads in 2021, many food industry insiders and investors expect plant-based foods to become an even larger part of our diet moving forward. With consumers increasingly focused on health and ...

Discover the Power of Purple: The MaquiBerry from Chile

This webinar was sponsored by ProChile, Chilealimentos, and the MaquiBerry from Chile Committee.  Superfruits are often touted as having remarkable health benefits. Many consumers already know of about superfruits such as blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, acai …

Sizing up the Sugar Reduction Trend: Key Insights and Industry Applications

As the world emerges from the pandemic, it’s no surprise that consumers are taking a more proactive approach to their health and wellness. In particular, sugar reduction is top-of-mind, as consumers are increasingly conscious of ...

What’s Ahead In 2022?

The food and beverage industry has gone through tremendous change over the past 12 months. 2021 has shown us that this industry can adapt quickly and pivot in the face of adversity. But what lies ...

Top Restaurant Investment Trends: 2022 Outlook

Top Restaurant Investment Trends: 2022 Outlook Over the past 18 months the US restaurant industry has gone through one of the most challenging periods in its history. Despite the setback that the pandemic has brought ...

From Great Resignation to Great Retention

From Great Resignation to Great Retention Even before 2020, remote work, flexible hours and an emphasis on a more diverse workforce had begun to alter recruiting and onboarding for small and medium-size businesses (SMBs). The ...

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 …

FI Webinar Recap: What’s Driving Food & Beverage M&A Activity? 

The food and beverage industry has seen no shortage of mergers and acquisitions of late, to put it mildly. And that begs the question: What, exactly, are the driving forces behind these transactions? In a recent webinar …

Update: Major Food Companies Ramping up ESG Efforts

With ESG topics becoming increasingly important to consumers, food companies are noticeably increasing their efforts. Below are a few recent examples of new ESG initiatives in the industry. MCCORMICK ADVANCES SUSTAINABILITY STANDARD McCormick & Company …

How High Can Prices Go: Top Consumer Foods

As pandemic restrictions eased, pent-up consumer demand kept inflation elevated. In July, the overall consumer price index (CPI) rose 0.5%, a somewhat moderate gain relative to recent increases. Yet, over the past 12 months, price …

No Magic Bullet in Sight for U.S. Labor Shortage

With schools reopening and unemployment benefits scheduled to expire, employers have earmarked September as a hopeful turning point for the labor shortage. However, many economists and business owners warn that deeper issues will extend staffing challenges …