Starbucks is betting big on European-style aperitivo culture, launching an afternoon menu of small plates and drinks to boost sluggish post-morning sales. CEO Brian Niccol aims to rekindle the coffee chain’s social ambiance.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Starbucks’ big plans to boost afternoon traffic, an uptick in cyberattacks, and more.
Independent cafés and mid-sized coffee chains are chipping away at the dominance of Starbucks and Dunkin’, leveraging bold menu experimentation to capture customers. Challenger brands are expanding aggressively, too.
Amid an uncertain economic environment instigated by tariffs, C-suite executives across the U.S. are dialing back business expenditures. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump indicated he may alter course on his economic plan.
Strikes cost F&B companies and employees $145.9 million in lost wages and revenue in 2024, according to a review by Noggin. Last year’s strikes were complicated by other issues like supply chain pressures as well, signaling the need for better communication among employees and management to avoid labor strife.
Once valued at over $15 billion, Oatly’s market capitalization has plummeted by 98% due to poor execution in expanding production and mounting financial losses. Its sluggish growth in plant-based products makes Oatly’s future murky, according to FI’s resident stock expert.
The Magnetic 100: Restaurants report by dcdx reveals the top brands captivating Gen Z, with McDonald’s, Wingstop, and Starbucks leading the pack due to their organic online engagement and unique customer interactions.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on rising global obesity rates, the future of the Walgreen’s pharmacy chain, and more.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on eye-opening stats regarding consumer sentiment towards regenerative agriculture.
Only a few months into his new role, Starbucks CEO Brian Niccol is laying out a radical plan to curry Americans’ favor with the brand. Tensions are high, as ex-CEO Howard Schultz may not be able to save the café chain if Niccol can’t get it back on track.
Gamification is emerging as a winning strategy for restaurants looking to enhance their customer loyalty programs. 76% of owners said they plan to gamify their programs in the next 2 years, with brands like Starbucks, Jimmy John’s, and Dunkin’ leading the charge.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast offers experts’ tips for restaurants and bars for Super Bowl Sunday.
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.
The latest FI Fast Break podcast touches on the push to reframe products like plant-based dairy and meat alternatives as conventional fare.
Starbucks’ revamped winter menu reflects growing consumer interest in global flavors, with items like customizable matcha lattes. These innovations also highlight the coffee giant’s focus on personalized experiences.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Starbucks’ revamped drink menu for 2025, featuring new beverages like a Cortado.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast notes Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s reported plans to disqualify soda from programs like SNAP.
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?
The U.S. has seen a surge in coffee shops in small towns. The growth is fueled largely by iced, sugary drinks popular among Gen Z and millennials, which are driving the industry toward more drive-thrus and social media-friendly options.
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on the newest beers that are marketed to young adults.
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on the soaring price of cocoa ahead of Halloween.
Starbucks maintains customer loyalty despite higher prices by offering personalized options like mobile ordering and customization. While consumers are sensitive to price, experts feel Starbucks’ focus on convenience and atmosphere helps sustain its growth.
With National Coffee Day (Sept. 29) nearly upon us, specialty coffee maintains a 13-year high. As a result, brands continue to flock to the category for opportunities.
Google trends analysis shows a 60% rise in searches for pistachios since 2019, putting product manufacturers, restaurateurs, and grocers in a unique position to leverage this explosive growth to their advantage.
The pressure is on restaurant chain CEOs to deliver fast in 2024. Private equity is largely to blame, according to one industry leader.
Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.
Pumpkin spice season is upon us earlier than ever in 2024. Data from SpotOn suggest the F&B industry’s also moving toward the most expansive pumpkin season yet.
Gamification refers to the idea of point scoring and applying competitive techniques to encourage consumer engagement.
With summer solidly here, a recent trend in coffee may leave many caffeine junkies wondering what happened to a classic cup of joe.
The origins of kombucha are shrouded in legend, and the drink’s murky beginnings remained in relative obscurity—at least to western palates—until its rediscovery in the 20th century in something of a cultural phenomenon.
