FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 1, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on talks of a potential government shutdown, and its possible impact on the livestock market.
Tag: placer.ai
The Top 3 Fastest-Growing QSR Categories of 2025
Coffee, chicken, and Mexican restaurant chains sizzled early in 2025, but per-store traffic is cooling fast according to Placer.ai data. With coffee prices spiking, QSRs may be brewing a recipe for over-saturation.
FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 24, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Americans’ lessened confidence in the safety of the food supply.
FI Fast Break audio news: July 30, 2025
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on online grocery sales’ eye-opening rise of late, in addition to other trending industry news.
Eyes on the Aisle: A Mid-Year Food Retail Update
Amazon Prime Day Expansion May Dilute Sales
Amazon is doubling down on Prime Day, stretching it to four days in a bid to woo deal-hungry Gen Z and millennial shoppers. But with cart abandonment rising, will lessened urgency hurt results? Industry opinions vary.
Hot, Crispy, Conquering: The Chicken Chains Outpacing Competitors
Chicken QSRs are dominating, with chains like Dave’s Hot Chicken expanding rapidly to meet surging demand. The secret? Bold flavors, strong branding, and a winning suburban strategy that keeps customers flocking in droves.
Restaurant Industry Insights for 2025
‘Status Quo’ Wont Cut It: Private Label Market Share Threatened
The battle between private label and name brands has taken a new form as analysts portend a stagnating global own brand market. The path ahead relies on innovation and retail portfolio synergy, NIQ noted.
The Billion (Family) Dollar Question: What Happened to Dollar Stores?
After purchasing discount retailer Family Dollar for roughly $9 billion in 2015, Dollar Tree admitted defeat in a recent sale earlier this month that valued the banner at only $1 billion. Is this a signal …
6 Food Retail Trends Grocery Stores Can’t Afford to Ignore
The food retail landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer behaviors, economic pressures, and technological advancements. In “The Future of Food Retail” webinar recently hosted by The Food Institute, R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical …
The Future of Food Retail
Sprouts Tops List of 5 Brands to Watch in 2025
Sprouts has enjoyed a 7.2% year-over-year visit increase, driven by small-format locations and a focus on high-quality products. Meanwhile, H Mart was also named a brand to watch by placer.ai, mainly for its innovation.
Regional Grocers Win in Value-First World
A recent report from dunnhumby found consumers continue to prefer regional grocers with H-E-B holding firm as the most preferred. Kroger and Albertsons, however, fell out of favor, likely due to the ongoing post-merger turmoil.
Black Friday 2024 Beneficiaries: Target, Apple, and Shopping Malls
Black Friday 2024 showcased omnichannel’s growing dominance, with online sales surging nearly 15%. Experts noted that while Black Friday has evolved into a season-long event, its role remains pivotal, sparking optimism for a strong holiday shopping season.
Retail Reimagined: Shoppers Skipping Middle Ground for Luxury, Value
Consumers are reshaping retail by prioritizing convenience, with Millennials driving trends like smaller store formats. Meanwhile, shifts in spending patterns reveal a preference for luxury or value over mid-priced options.
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.
Innovation, Collaboration and Culture Coalesce at DMA’s Annual Conference
NEW ORLEANS – Embracing innovation, cultivating culture, and focusing on collaboration along the supply chain were key themes on display at the DMA Annual Conference. Hosted by Distribution Market Advantage (DMA), this year’s iteration of …
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 …
2024: The Year of the Convenience Store
Convenience stores have seen significant growth in 2024, with visits increasing 58.6% in August compared to 2021, driven by expanded food offerings and smaller, more frequent shopping trips.
Groceries, Healthcare Prove a Winning Retail Combination
A new report from Placer.ai highlights that grocery stores offering in-store healthcare services are seeing increased foot traffic, particularly from higher-income customers. Wellness offerings not only boost store visits but also enhance customer loyalty.
CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks
Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.
Riding High: Data Shows LongHorn Steakhouse Ascending Among Casual-Dining Chains
LongHorn Steakhouse has become a prime candidate to unseat rivals like Texas Roadhouse as America’s preferred steakhouse.
$1.99 Sonic Boom Shakes Up Value Meal Wars
The so-called fast-food “value wars” are ramping up. First McDonald’s and Taco Bell tried to undercut each other; now Sonic’s $1.99 meal has taken things to another level.
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Wild Results: Buffalo Wild Wings Promotion Pays Huge Dividends
The promotion, which started in mid-May, saw visits on Monday, May 27 increase nearly 56% compared to the average number of Monday visitors from the four months prior.
C-Stores Draw Market Share From Grocery, Retail
Casey’s and Maverik are highlighting breakfast while Buc-ee’s and Rutter’s are leveraging increased square footage and store footprints to drive sales and steal market share away from grocers and retailers.
McDonald’s Execs Promise to be Price Sensitive in Q2, as ‘All Income Cohorts Are Seeking Value’
McDonald’s Execs Promise to be Price Sensitive in Q2, as ‘All Income Cohorts Are Seeking Value’
Panera’s Menu Makeover Could be Start of Big 2024 for Fast-Casual Chain
With an eye towards efficiency (and, one presumes, improved profits), Panera Bread recently unveiled it’s largest menu revamp ever.
Webinar: The Future of Food Retail
Can Ghost Kitchens Be Resurrected?
Has the would-be darling of the pandemic-era – ghost kitchens – been resurrected by a partnership between Denny’s and Franklin Junction?
Small But Powerful: Retailers Turning to Smaller Formats
When it comes to the food industry, Kohen said food and restaurant retailers can take advantage of smaller formats in neighborhoods and lifestyle centers, providing a dining experience to the shopping journey.
Eatertainment is Winning the Dining Game
Eatertainment is the crossroads where dining meets entertainment, from arcade havens to upscale dining experiences. Find out why Eatertainment venues are outshining casual dining, even amid the economic challenges of 2023. Hear from experts like …
5 Retail Trends to Watch in the New Year
As the calendar turns toward a new year, many consumers continue to watch their budgets closely. And that factor is shaping retail strategies for 2024. “The average American family has eaten into the savings it …
3 Key Themes for Foodservice from DMA Live in Texas
Labor challenges, diverging dining hours, and burgeoning menus were among the foodservice themes explored at DMA’s event in Texas.
The Future of Restaurants: Data and Insights for 2024 and Beyond
What do consumers desire in 2024 when they eat out? Value and convenience, mostly, and though those are universal qualities most any time, an uncertain economic outlook and increased food prices have seen consumers slowly …
