Exploring the Future: Illuminating Innovations at CES 2025

Want to know about the most unique inventions being showcased at CES 2025? Look no further! Join The Food Institute as we take you through a quick roundup of the exhibitors we found particularly interesting ...

BREAKING: Panera CEO Steps Down

Panera CEO Jose Alberto Dueñas stepped down from his role as CEO today, with current CFO Paul Carbone taking his place until a permanent position holder is found. What could this mean for the future of the chain?

Food Industry Outlook: Where Are We, Where Are We Going?

Retail volume sales are up for the first time in three years; however, restaurant visits are down, to the chagrin of foodservice. In an FI webinar, experts discussed where the industry is heading in 2025.

IFMA Introduces Rebranded Identity at 2024 Presidents Conference

The 72-year-old organization recently unveiled a rebrand in a new video that retraces its history and reflects the changes seen in the food-away-from-home category since the pandemic.

Driving Profit with the Better-for-You Shopper

The better-for-you shopper has more to spend on groceries every month, attracting grocers and brands to invest in the market. These shoppers are worth an estimated $285 billion each year.

Phygital Prowess: 2025’s Recipe for Restaurant Success

As restaurants compete in an increasingly “phygital” world, blending digital and physical experiences is key to meeting consumer expectations in 2025. Restaurant-tech company Tillster expects curbside pickup to ramp up, too.

What’s Ahead in 2025?

2024 was marked yet again by challenges as inflation, geopolitical instability, the growth of artificial intelligence, severe weather events, and more all impacted the food industry during the year. But with a new administration and ...

Subway Pivots as it Seeks to Get Back on Track

Subway recently scrapped its latest ambitious 6-inch Meal Deal after it failed to meet expectations. Is the company’s latest expansion strategy enough to give it solid footing?

FI Spotlight: What You Need to Know About CES 2025

Step into the future of food service at CES 2025, where cutting-edge tech exhibitions showcase the latest innovations. Let's dive into what's changing at the upcoming show and the top themes in this exciting FI ...

Coffee Omakase, Flights Capture Consumer Interest

A recent Trend Tracker report from Yelp found that “coffee omakase” enjoyed a shocking 5,173% rise in searches between Sept. ’23-’24. What’s behind this surge in interest?

Cava’s Secret Sauce: The QSR Is So Hot Right Now

The latest financial data shows Cava is enjoying tremendous success, outpacing the fast-casual dining segment and sustaining jaw-dropping growth. Some of this success is likely thanks to its Gen Z engagement strategy.

What’s Up with Airline Food? Shake Shack, Delta Partner on Burgers in the Sky

Delta’s latest partnership with Shake Shack has been met with excitement; however, is it enough to shake the airline’s negative in-flight meal image?

FI News Review (November 15, 2024) – Takeout Buyout: Wonder Acquires Grubhub

In a surprising move, Food Startup Wonder bought Food Delivery Service Grubhub for $650 million dollars. What does this mean for Wonder, Grubhub, and the entire food delivery service category? Check out the latest episode ...

Exploring the Transformation and Future Trends in C-Store Foodservice

SPONSORED CONTENT There's no doubt that C-Stores continue to significantly evolve to meet consumer needs. From fresh food offerings to expanded inventory, c-stores have become a growing focus in the foodservice space. But what are ...

Why End-to-End Solutions are Key for C-Store Success

SPONSORED CONTENT When it comes to retail, it's all about the consumer. How has the consumer evolved, and how can businesses properly identify and address these changing needs? What strategy is best for each company? ...

Restaurant Operators Optimistic About Year Ahead

Independent restaurant operators are optimistic as they look ahead to 2025, with 63% reporting profit growth and a focus on cost management over consumer price hikes, according to a new survey. The industry anticipates further expansion, too.

News Roundup (October 25, 2024): Why Are So Many Restaurants Going Bankrupt?

In this week's FI News Roundup, we cover the current state of the restaurant sector as it sets to have the most bankruptcy filings in decades, an update on the TreeHouse Foods, Inc. product recall, ...

Data-Driven Dining: Restaurant Insights for 2025

Amid inflationary headwinds and fluctuating consumer demand, restaurant operators are facing difficult times. What are consumers looking for when they eat out, and what operators are successfully navigating the current climate? The Food Institute hosted …

FI Spotlight: Transforming School Lunches: A New Era of Nutrition & Taste

Join The Food Institute as we dig into the state of school lunches during National School Lunch Week. We will explore how school lunches have evolved with healthier options and increased variety. We will also ...

Safety, Productivity Found at Intersection of People and AI

At a recent International Foodservice Distributors Association (IFDA) event, stakeholders considered AI’s industry impact. Topics included supply chain dynamics, tech-enabled safety measures, and the need for in-person connectivity.

FI Spotlight: Bringing A Restaurant Back To Life

Since 1966, Steak & Ale was a beloved restaurant chain, known for its tableside service and its affordability, enabling patrons to treat themselves to dining outside of the home, once known as an unattainable luxury. ...

How Foodservice is Contending with Home-Centricity

Circana senior vice president David Portalatin discussed the makeup of the current restaurant customer amid inflationary headwinds.

Philly’s Latin Love Affair: Latino Restaurants Celebrated During Restaurant Week

A Philadelphia fiesta is set to take place starting September 15. A unique, weeklong event will highlight some of America’s most innovative Latin restaurants.

Earnings Show Why Major Foodservice Distributors Can Keep Taking Share

Despite declining restaurant traffic, major foodservice distributors reported strong performances in Q2. They remain confident in their strategies, including making long-term investments.

FI Spotlight – Cold Snap: The Hard Earned Success Story of Crazy Mason Milkshakes

Get the inside scoop on how The Crazy Mason's brand defied economic odds through the pandemic to achieve remarkable growth. Despite current inflationary challenges in the consumer market, The Crazy Mason has not only survived ...

Party of One: Why Embracing Solo Dining Is Good for Business

To dine own self be true: solo dining is on the rise, and restaurants are responding with efforts to make parties of one feel comfortable and welcome.

Top 4 Value Meals of 2024

Fast food used to be enticing because it offered comfort food at cheap prices. Today, that’s not necessarily the case. Inflation has hit every industry – with restaurant chains being no exception. As a result, …

Taco the Town: Del Taco Tops Consumers’ Best Fast-Food List

Del Taco, a restaurant chain nearing its 60th anniversary, has never been hotter, winning top marks in a recent best fast-food list.

Biting the Bullet: Q2 Restaurant Earnings Show a Shift in Consumer Appetite

One of the biggest changes in the market over the past 10-15 years is that investors have succeeded solely by buying the best business, not necessarily the best stock. Focusing on fundamentals over quality has …

FI News Review (August 2, 2024) – The Ins and Outs of AI Drive Thru Chatbots

Explore the ins and outs of A.I. Drive-Thru Chatbots at fast food restaurants on this episode of FI News Review. Restaurants like Taco Bell and Bojangles are going all in, while McDonald's is pulling back. ...

Distributing Success: A Deep Dive on Foodservice Distribution

Mark Allen, president and CEO of IFDA, discussed the pressing challenges and innovative solutions in the foodservice distribution industry.

How The National Restaurant Association Predicts Food Innovation and Trends in 2024

Join The Food Institute and Nestlé Professional Solutions as we dive into the most relevant issues in the restaurant industry today with Chad Moutray, VP of Research and Knowledge for the National Restaurant Association. What …

Innovation in Focus: Future Food Trends from SIAL Paris 2024

The Food Institute hosted Comexposium’s Audrey Ashworth and Anne-Claire Petitcol to preview SIAL Paris 2024 – the largest food and beverage show in the world. Audrey delved into the groundbreaking trends and innovations set to …

Nestlé Professional Solutions, WonderWorks Team Up to Create Transformational Foodservice Solutions

Join The Food Institute as we witnessed a new partner launch at the recent NRA Show.  Nestlé Professional Solutions and WonderWorks demonstrate how they have come up with effective solutions for foodservice operators, using state-of-the-art technology …

Opinion: Here’s Why I Haven’t Given up on AI in Drive-Thrus

Restaurants can have a drive-up process even if they don’t have a traditional drive-thru setup.

How Nestlé Professional Solutions and WonderWorks are Changing the Future Kitchen Footprint

When one combines the concept of premium fast-fine menus with efficient foodservice operations, it seems the resulting product is Wonder! And what better team to partner up in expanding opportunities in foodservice than with Nestlé …