Starbucks Has Big Plans for Smalltown America

Starbucks appears poised to overtake Subway as America’s most prolific QSR. Smalltown locations could be key in helping the coffee chain reach its goals.

What Target’s ‘Drive Up with Starbucks’ Signals For Curbside Pickup

While the mid-pandemic rush around curbside pickup has cooled off, the potential benefits for consumers and retailers alike are still shaping the grocery landscape. The number of shoppers opting in for the convenience of in-car …

Why McDonald’s is in the Midst of a McCafé Makeover

Though McDonald’s McCafé Bakery concept worked to an extent, it didn’t translate to more snack and coffee sales between mealtimes.

The Teens Have Spoken: Chick-fil-A Remains Favorite Restaurant

Three things remain constant in life: death, taxes, and Chick-fil-A. In Piper-Sandler’s recent survey of teen spending in the U.S., the Georgia-based restaurant chain still struts its stuff above Starbucks and Chipotle and accounts for …

FI Newscast (March 3, 2023) – Featuring Hunter Thurman, Alpha-Diver

Welcome to the FI Newscast! Each week, we note the latest industry trends and consumer insights, with guest appearances by the foremost industry experts. This week’s guest was Hunter Thurman, President of Alpha-Diver – one …

Precision Fermentation Promises a More Sustainable Future

Precision fermentation technology makes it possible to create alternative egg and milk proteins identical in taste, texture, and functionality to the traditional stuff—without using any animals.

Upping the Ante: Walmart Joins List of Retailers Increasing Pay

Now that Walmart has joined Target and Costco by raising their minimum pay to about double the federal rate of $7.25 an hour, fast-food outlets may have to consider boosting their minimum to $20 to …

Consumers’ Top 10 Craveable Coffee Chains

Technomic polled consumers to rank their top coffee chains, finding consumers valued taste, specialty flavors, and high-quality beans.

Conservation Could Soon Take Center Stage for Many F&B Companies

Food and beverage companies are finding water and energy conservation practices are not only good for the planet, but good for the bottom line. Intense drought is making finding fresh water more difficult while Russia’s …

Survey: Tracking Gen Z Food Preferences

Here are key stats on what, and where, Gen Z is eating these days, according to Piper Sandler’s Fall Taking Stock with Teens survey.

QSRs Lamenting ‘Line Balk’ Trend

Much like remote working and zoom conferencing, long waits at the drive-thru line are a pandemic vestige that just won’t go away. And that’s causing line balk among consumers. As COVID-19 took hold in the …

Analysis: Why Consumers Crave Pumpkin Spice

Almost as ubiquitous as the changing colors of the leaves or a crisp chill in the air, the arrival of pumpkin-spice-flavored everything signals that fall is here. Ever since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte …

Starbucks Plots a Revival

A wave of unionization efforts spurred by frustrated workers and outdated systems are signs that Starbucks must plot a revival. At this pivotal moment for the coffee giant, what exactly needs to change? Let’s take …

Consumers Cutting Back … But Not at Coffee Shops

During a dark economic time, coffee shops seem to be doing just fine, with sales actually rising as the rest of the industry stalls.

Concerns About Discretionary Spending Jolt Coffee Chains

Consumer concerns about discretionary spending pushed Dunkin’ Donuts and Starbucks traffic lower in June, new data show.

FI Fast Break audio news: June 8, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine inflation’s global impact, and Smucker’s costly recall. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – June 8, 2022 The FI Fast …

Why Restaurant Chain CEOs are Jumping Ship

While leadership changes are nothing new for restaurant chains, CEOs have been resigning in spades over the past two months, including departures from prominent brands like Starbucks, Dominos, Denny’s, Red Lobster, and Wingstop. What’s behind …

What Do Consumers Want from Loyalty Programs?

Newsweek recently released its America’s Best Loyalty Programs 2022 list and several food brands stood out. In the grocery category, Kroger, Sprouts Farmers Market and Publix Super Markets landed the top spots, while Jersey Mike’s …

What Will the Key Restaurant Tech Investments Be in 2022?

From robots to scheduling software, restaurants are implementing all types of new technology into their operations of late. With so many new developments this year, The Food Institute decided to take a closer look at …

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 12, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine projected food-cost increases, businesses’ “boomerang” employee issue, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Jan. 12, 2022 The …

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 5, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the flexitarian movement, the rise of convenience stores, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Jan. 5, 2022 …

Starbucks Imposes Vaccine Requirement for Employees Amid Single-Day New Case Record

The U.S. reported a single-day record of COVID cases with more than one million new infections as the Omicron variant spreads across the country. The total may be partly due to delayed reporting from over …

Is the Fast-Food Industry Ripe for Unionization?

Multiple Starbucks locations have examined unionizing of late, which begs the question: Is this a harbinger of things to come in the fast-food industry? Fast-food workers have pushed for a $15 minimum wage, and the …

Author: Gen Z Consumers Seek Brands with Clear Purpose

Following in the footsteps of Millennials, Gen Z has taken a liking to chains such as Olive Garden and Starbucks, proving everything is cyclical, according to Piper Sandler’s latest Taking Stock with Teens survey. The Food …

Coffee Innovations Hitting Higher Gear

Coffee’s popularity in the U.S. shows no signs of slowing. More than half of Americans over 18 years old drink coffee daily, with the average coffee drinker consuming three cups of coffee per day, as …

Worker Shortages Spurring Rash of Labor Unrest

Chronic labor shortages and mandatory overtime appear to be fueling union unrest as the economy bounces back from the pandemic, with workers realizing they aren’t as powerless as they once were. “With the pandemic and …

Digesting This Week’s Earnings from McDonald’s and Other Food Companies

With a slew of earnings being released over the past week, The Food Institute looked into which companies are thriving, as well as which companies are experiencing issues. EARNINGS ‘WINNERS’ McDonalds (MCD) Global comparable sales …

‘Double Whammy’ of Drought, Frosts in Brazil Propels Coffee Prices

Extreme weather and supply chain issues have impacted prices for the vast majority of commodities in 2021, ranging from lumber to corn. Until recently, coffee (and avocados) seemed to be surviving in an inflationary market …

UPDATE: Major Ingredient Shortage Impacting Multiple QSRs

Taco Bell is the latest restaurant chain to be hit by significant ingredient shortages. “Sorry if we can’t feed your current crave,” reads an orange banner atop the fast-food chain’s website. “Due to national ingredient …

Corporate Diversity Initiatives One Year After George Floyd

George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests and ultimately served as a catalyst for anti- discrimination efforts. Many companies also responded by releasing statements against racism. And some took action, setting quantifiable goals to increase diversity …

The Masks Are Off: Retailers, Restaurants Grapple with Updated Mandates

U.S. retail stores and restaurants are weighing updated CDC guidelines that allow fully vaccinated people to remove their masks in both indoor and outdoor settings. According to the CDC, a person is fully vaccinated two …

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 …

World Celebrates Women’s Day as Gender Equality Lagging in Food Industry

Today is International Women’s Day (IWD), a day created in 1911 to celebrate the achievements of women. These days, IWD is largely viewed as an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of women in areas such …

Dairy Farms Decline as Milk Alternatives Go Mainstream

The latest USDA data shows that dairy farms are on the decline, while plant-based milk alternatives are growing in popularity. DAIRY FARM NUMBERS DECLINE USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service’s latest Milk Production report shows another …

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 …