FI Fast Break: June 3, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the JBS cyber attack, Tesla’s reported restaurant plans, and the abrupt departure of Tyson’s CEO. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast …

Ghost Kitchen Expansion Could Create `New Reality’ for QSRs

Many fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and Burger King, continue to expand their ghost kitchen operations and lean further into the delivery space. But with dining restrictions easing and restaurant traffic on rise — why …

Start of Summer Travel Could Mean Long Waits at Restaurants, C-Stores

With over half of Americans now being vaccinated, travel is making a major comeback after more than a year of pandemic lockdowns. AAA forecasts that 37 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from …

‘Bullwhip Effect’ Felt Throughout Industry as Restaurants Ramp Back Up

The start of the return to normalcy has created problems for restaurants, bars and other venues with demand outstripping supplies and creating shortages of a variety of foods and other commodities. Couple that with difficulty …

Restaurant Traffic Up, But Industry Faces Headwinds 

Since the beginning of the year, foot traffic to U.S. food and beverage establishments is up 41 percent, according to Zenreach data. And with the weather getting nicer, vaccinations on the rise, and dining limitations slowly being lifted, restaurant traffic continues to soar. Restaurant …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, TSN, ARMK, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: CPI, PPI, small business optimism, Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), Aramark (ARMK), Utz Brands, …

Restaurants’ Latest Challenge: A Cicada ‘Tsunami’

As if the lingering pandemic hasn’t caused enough headaches for restaurant operators, a new issue has emerged: Cicadas – lots and lots of cicadas. For the past 17 years, so-called Brood X cicadas have slowly …

Food Industry Financials: PPP, Inflation, EM, SYY, SHAK, BYND and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: PPP, Restaurant Revitalization Fund, lumber shortage and inflation, hiring recovery, inflation in Brazil, …

Cinco de Mayo 2021 Highlights Thriving Avocado Market

Nothing says Cinco de Mayo like tacos and guacamole, and this year avocados appear to be plentiful – at least in the near term. Some 100 million Americans are expected to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, …

Food Industry Financials: American Families Plan, MCD, ADM, KHC, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: American Families Plan, restaurant reservations, McDonald’s (MCD), Archers-Daniel-Midland Company (ADM), Kraft Heinz Company …

FI Fast Break: April 30, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down the latest innovations in plant-based protein, a predicted slump for delivery apps, millennials’ favorite brands, and more. To listen, click the play/arrow button …

Study: Delivery Apps Destined for Steep Decline in Business

The food delivery app industry is facing a potentially drastic slump in sales, according to a new study by the Social Sciences Research Network, which tracked 27 delivery apps, including Grubhub, DoorDash and Uber Eats. …

UPDATE: Restaurants Forced to Get Creative to Lure New Hires

Restaurants are struggling to win back employees so far in 2021. The Food Institute reported on this issue back in early April when QSRs were finding hiring new workers particularly challenging, and the issue has …

Food Industry Financials: Surging Commodities, Coca-Cola, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: unemployment benefits, global debt, surging commodities, restaurant reservations, Coca-Cola (COKE), and more Trending …

Delivery Platforms Experiencing Upheaval

In many ways, the pandemic has been a boom time for third-party delivery platforms, which have benefited from consumers largely hunkering down at home and summoning dinners to their doorstep. But business is rapidly changing …

Restaurants’ Labor Shortage Causing Major Concerns for Operators

The push for the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the minimum wage to $15, is pressuring U.S. businesses like restaurants that depend on keeping labor costs in check to survive. QSRs are finding …

Lamb: The Latest Meat in High Demand

Lamb sales are surging. While shoppers used to be wary due to its higher price tag, store sales of lamb jumped 28% year-over-year as of last month, according to Nielsen. Meanwhile, beef sales rose 25.6% …

Quesadilla Wars Ramping Up Among Taco Bell, Chipotle

While the fast-food “chicken wars” have been going on for some time, Taco Bell and Chipotle are now headed for battle on another front. The two largest Mexican-food chains are testing new items and jockeying …

Pandemic Changing Consumer Attitudes Towards Dining Out, Retail

As the pandemic continues and vaccines become more readily available in the U.S., here are some insights into how consumers feel about dining out and shopping in stores: Dining Out A significant number of Americans …

Restaurant Recovery: How Chains are Growing Amid the Pandemic

During the pandemic, restaurants have had to find new ways of winning over consumers. Those who are innovating seem to be recovering well from pandemic-related losses. “300 million people wake up hungry each day, and …

Chick-fil-A Turning to Food Trucks to Leave Pandemic Challenges in Rear-View Mirror

Fast-food restaurant chains are turning their attention to food trucks as a way to give pandemic-beleaguered franchisees an alternative channel to boost sales damaged by restrictions on the number of customers who can dine in …

Dining Off-Premises, Boosted During Pandemic, Looks Like It’s Here to Stay

Consumers are increasing their off-premises dinner purchases, according to the latest weekly survey from the National Restaurant Association. In the early spring 2021 period, Gen Xers and Baby Boomers have increased their weekly off-premises dinner …

Restaurants Seeing Signs of Recovery, Glimmer of Hope

There have been recent signs of recovery for the restaurant industry, but obstacles still need to be scaled before the industry is back to a full bill of health. RESTAURANT SALES SHOWING RECOVERY Restaurant sales …

Traditional CPGs Can No Longer Use COVID-19 Purchasing Trends as a Crutch for Growth

Throughout the pandemic, consumer packaged goods (CPG) companies benefitted from purchases of classic CPG items like canned vegetables, pasta, and coffee, as consumers stocked up during quarantine. However, as the country opens back up, CPG …

As States Roll Back COVID-19 Restrictions, Restaurants Weigh Next Move

President Biden denounced state leaders who are choosing to relax COVID-19 restrictions and protective measures at businesses including restaurants. Biden called the moves “Neanderthal thinking” and “a big mistake,” reported The Hill (March 3). His …

Examining the Viability of Virtual Restaurant Brands

On February 18, The Food Institute, in conjunction with DMA, hosted a webinar that examined the recent explosion of ghost kitchens and virtual brands. The event, which featured executives from Denny’s, Kitchen United, and Lettuce …

Pandemic Inspiring Unique Partnerships Among Restaurants and Hotels

Hotel occupancy in the U.S. fell to a record low 44% in 2020, according to travel research firm STR. “2020 was a complete wash due to international travel restrictions amongst various countries and also within …

The Restaurant of the Future

Dan Rowe, CEO of Fransmart, joined the Food Institute podcast to discuss the restaurant of the future and its many iterations. Rowe discusses the current restaurant landscape in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and …

Restaurant Earnings Show Continued Recovery  

Foodservices’ latest quarters have seen mixed results as restaurants continue to cope with pandemic-related losses. In 2020, restaurant and foodservice industry sales fell by $240 billion, from an expected level of $899 billion, according to …

Consultants: Restaurants Must Adapt Quickly to Pandemic-Era Changes

Tim Hand and Bruce Reinstein, partners with food industry consulting firm Kinetic12, and Wade Hanson, principal with foodservice consulting firm Technomic, participated in a webinar yesterday hosted by The Food Institute and DMA titled “2021 …

Restaurants Receive Boost from Stimulus, But Can it Last?

Restaurant chains are getting a sales bump from the latest round of stimulus money, but if patterns mimic the first round, the lift could be short-lived. STIMULUS IMPACT While the amounts given in the roughly …

Boston Restaurant Owner Gets Creative, Offers Location as Vaccination Site

With the coronavirus pandemic raging throughout much of the U.S., countless restaurant owners have faced indefinite closures. When dealt with that situation himself, Marc Epstein took matters into his own hands. Epstein, owner of The …

New Study Casts Doubt on the Safety of Indoor Dining

Since the beginning of the pandemic, indoor dining has been a point of contention for restaurants. After being banned for some time — leaving restaurants to rely on outdoor seating – indoor dining was brought …

What the Food Industry Needs to Know About COVID-19 Relief

After months of uncertainty, 2021 looks more promising than one might assume for the food industry. For starters, Congress’s recent COVID-19 relief bill should provide a measure of assistance to restaurants and beer manufacturers alike. …

Hope for Restaurants on the Horizon Under New Deals

There is no doubt that restaurants have been beaten down during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or for a long period of time throughout  the U.S., while others face uncertainty as many …

Companies Show Thanks to Employees as Pandemic Continues

Food companies are showing their appreciation for employees in several ways as 2020 comes to a close. Chipotle has paid out over $40 million in bonuses and assistance pay to employees during COVID-19, reported QSR …