DoorDash Raises $3.4 Billion in IPO

DoorDash raised $3.4 billion in its IPO, making it the second highest IPO in 2020, according to Renaissance Capital. The IPO represents a year of massive growth for the food delivery company. In the first …

McDonald’s Franchisees to Raise Happy Meal Prices

Some McDonald’s franchisees said they would raise prices on Happy Meals after the company revoked a longstanding rebate to subsidize the cost of toys, reported The Wall Street Journal (Dec. 8). In January, the company …

Doing Something Meaningful about Food Insecurity

Doing something meaningful about food insecurity is something we can all do. In the spirit of the holiday season, the Food Institute Podcast welcomed Hugh Welsh, general counsel, secretary, and president of DSM North America, …

Over 100,000 Restaurants Close During Pandemic, While Others Adapt

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 …

Companies Look to Recoup Losses Following Poultry Price-Fixing Charges

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 Franchisees Back Up, While McDonald’s Plans to Pass Along More Fees

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, …

Chicken Sandwiches Reigned Supreme in 2020 Delivery

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 …

Restaurants Combining with Retail Stores to Drum up Sales

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 …

Ghost Kitchens Expanding Across the U.S.

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 …

Will Consumers Be Attracted to Buy Restaurant Gift Cards this Holiday Season?

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 …

Starbucks has Most Advanced Digital Capabilities Among Limited Service Chains

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 …

COVID-19 is Increasing, but Hazard Pay for Retail Employees is Not

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 …

Breakfast Delivery is Ramping Up

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 …

Cities, States Renew Lockdown Orders with COVID-19 on the Rise

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 …

New Plant-Based Products Enter the Market

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 …

DoorDash Files for IPO, but Still Losing Money

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 …

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 …

More Opportunity for Delivery Amid New COVID Restrictions

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 …

Foodservice Pivots Towards Convenience

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 …

Carbon-Labeled Menus for the Future

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 …

Grocery Gains Could Evaporate Without Consumer Loyalty, But a Vaccine Looks Promising

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 …

Have the Three Major Foodservice Distributors Turned the COVID-19 Corner?

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 …

Is the Pendulum Swinging for Cannabis?

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 Posts Highest Same-Store Sales Growth in 15 Years, Buoyed by Breakfast

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 …

Positive Quarterly Earnings Results Reported for the Food Industry

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 …

QSRs Benefit From Economic Growth

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 Lends a Hand to Struggling Restaurants

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 …

More Coronavirus Restrictions Across the Globe

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 …

Food Brands Focus on Sustainability

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 …

Continued Private Equity Investments in Restaurants

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 …

National Food Allergy Awareness Week 2020

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. …

Marketing in a Pandemic with Shelley Forrester

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 …

Sweet on Stevia with the International Stevia Council

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 …

The Chicken War’s Strain on Supply

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 …

Labor Shortages During Coronavirus

Food Institute Focus – Labor Shortages During Coronavirus

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

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