More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or for a long period of time throughout the U.S. as the industry is contending with the coronavirus pandemic, says the National Restaurant Association. The total, which represents …
Chick-fil-A filed a federal lawsuit accusing 16 poultry suppliers of inflating prices on billions of dollars of chicken that it bought, reported The New York Times (Nov. 6). The suit accuses the producers of violating …
Financing for large and mid-tier restaurant franchisees is back to near pre-pandemic levels, according to the head of restaurant finance for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Brian Geraghty. Geraghty pointed out factors including aggressive loan terms, …
Grubhub released its 2020 Year in Food report, analyzing what foods were most popular with diners this year. Consumers turned back to comfort foods and caffeine to get through the pandemic, turning away from vegan …
As COVID-19 continues to dampen sales at restaurants, some are trying a new strategy by opening in retail stores, which have profited from the pandemic. Hy-Vee Inc. is preparing to open its 20th Wahlburgers at …
While the pandemic continues, food delivery and ghost kitchens are gaining in popularity as 2020 comes to a close. Media company Thrillist is working with New York-based ghost kitchen company Zuul to open a ghost …
Weak gift card sales could be an obstacle to full recovery for restaurant chains, reported The Wall Street Journal (Dec. 1). As COVID-19 cases rise, more restrictions are being placed on restaurants and less people …
With about 25% of restaurant locations expected to shut in the U.S., there has been huge growth in digital sales during the pandemic, according to the Limited Service Restaurant Digital Maturity Benchmark, 2020 report from …
Despite rising coronavirus cases across the country, hazard pay for retail workers is not keeping pace. Industry observers say many retailers are not sharing enough of the profits they have earned during the pandemic with …
The year 2020 has been like no other in recent memory. The pandemic has left Americans with many new government-enacted laws which were instituted in order to keep people as safe as possible and they …
Across the nation, mayors of cities and governors of states are restricting hours for businesses in an effort to tamp down on a rising trend of COVID-19 infections. The legislation was not unwarranted. With the …
Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population are trying new plant-based meat alternatives, according to a study from Herbalife Nutrition. Since the pandemic, buying spree sales of plant-based foods are up 35% as more Americans …
DoorDashfiled for its IPO on Nov. 13, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 13). The filing revealed the company’s rapid growth during the pandemic, as revenue for the September quarter more than tripled from the …
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 …
Rising COVID-19 cases in several states have led to lockdown measures being reinstated, providing more opportunity for delivery and online shopping. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced new restrictions, some of which target restaurants …
Several leading foodservice companies have revealed plans for more convenient store models that are designed with pickup and delivery in mind. Chipotle Chipotle is opening its first digital-only restaurant called the Chipotle Digital Kitchen. Located …
Have you heard of carbon-labeled menus? Sandra Noonan, chief sustainability officer at Just Salad, joined the Food Institute Podcast to discuss her company’s decision to launch carbon-labeled menus and the ethos behind the move, and …
Grocers’ COVID-19 gains with consumers could evaporate quickly in the year ahead, unless grocers refresh their approach to customer loyalty, according to a Bain & Co. report, reported CNBC (Nov. 9). The firm said that …
When it comes to foodservice distributors’ results, the U.S. looks to the big three, and Sysco Foods (SYY), Performance Food Group (PFGC) and US Foods (USFD) all reported quarterly earnings this past week. There is …
Aphria, a Canadian cannabis company, plans to acquire Atlanta’s Sweetwater Brewing Co., which is known for its “420” beer. The $300 million deal is the latest hook-up between the alcoholic beverage and pot industries, and …
Wendy’s posted its highest same-store sales growth performance in more than 15 years in its third quarter, reported Nation’s Restaurant News (Nov. 4). The chain was buoyed by breakfast sales, a daypart that’s been a …
Companies in various sectors of the food industry reported positive quarterly results. Foodservice Starbucks expects to recover and return to growth in 2021 after a fourth quarter where its same-store sales in the Americas declined …
The U.S. economy grew at a record pace in the third quarter, reported The Wall Street Journal (Oct. 29). It increased 7.4% over the prior quarter and at a 33.1% annual rate—recovering about two-thirds of …
DoorDash is investing in a restaurant for the first time, reported The Verge (Oct. 24). It will work alongside CA-based Burma Superstar for a brick-and-mortar store called Burma Bites. It will be designed for delivery and …
State and local officials around the world are reinstating lockdown orders as coronavirus cases rise. Newark, NJ, is reversing course on reopening as cases increase across the city, reported CBS News (Oct. 27). Many of …
Several major food companies have recently made headlines with sustainability-forward initiatives. Chipotle With the debut of Real Foodprint, Chipotle Mexican Grill becomes the first brand to provide detailed sustainability impact data about its ingredients for …
Dunkin’ Brands is in talks to sell itself to private equity-backed Inspire Brands, reported The New York Times (Oct. 25). The deal would take Dunkin’ Brands private at a price of $106.50 a share, according …
In honor of National Food Allergy Awareness Week 2020, the Food Institute Podcast invited Lisa Gable, CEO of Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), to speak on the state of food allergies in the U.S. …
What’s the key to marketing in a pandemic? The Food Institute’s Chris Campbell speaks with Shelley Forrester, founder of the Forrester Network, on marketing and advertising strategies that can be employed during the time of …
What makes consumers so sweet on stevia? The Food Institute spoke with the International Stevia Council’s executive director Maria Teresa Scardigli and president Andy Ohmes regarding the rise of stevia, the natural, no-calorie sweetener. In …
As fast food chains battle for the best chicken sandwich, poultry is in high demand. The chicken war began in the summer of 2019 when Popeyes launched its chicken sandwich. Months later, the chain is …
Food Institute Focus – Labor Shortages During Coronavirus
Food Institute Focus – Starbucks Reopens in China, Closes First U.S. Location
Food Institute Focus – Future of Food Ordering Businesses Unclear
Food Institute Focus – What Will be Big in 2020?
Lab grown meat, ghost kitchens and alcohol-free beverages are expected to be trends in 2020, according to Baum + Whiteman’s 2020 Food & Beverage Report. Lab grown meats, made from animal cells, are coming to the …
