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 …

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 …

Some Important Changes Coming to Starbucks

Starbucks has recently made several notable updates to its business, including boosting its outlook, announcing planet-forward initiatives, more diversity on its board, and better pay for employees. In its latest financial release, Starbucks reaffirmed its …

Have the Coffee Wars Come Home?

The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, but that hasn’t stopped the global consumption of roughly 2.25 billion cups of coffee per day. What has certainly changed during this 2020 crisis is how …

Creating More Diversity in Leadership Roles

While diversity in leadership roles in the food industry has historically been lacking, companies today are making the business case for inclusion and upping their commitment to advance racial equality. For instance, the Multicultural Foodservice …

Convenience to Push Fast Food Ahead of Casual Dining this Winter

Fast food may weather winter better than casual dining as the pandemic continues and flu-season arrives, reported MarketWatch (Sept. 21). Analysts are boosting their ratings and targets for fast food companies, in large part, due …

Plant-Based Expands into International Markets

Several plant-based meat companies are making strides in international markets. Impossible Foods is rolling out Impossible Sausage Made From Plants in Hong Kong. Consumers in Hong Kong can now buy the sausage as a breakfast …

Food Businesses are on Frontlines of Mask Debate

Food Institute Focus – Food Businesses are on Frontlines of Mask Debate

Advertisers Boycott Facebook in Protest Against Hate Speech

Food Institute Focus – Advertisers Boycott Facebook in Protest Against Hate Speech

Coffee Market Heats Up

Sixty-four percent of Americans aged 18 and older surveyed in 2019 said they drink a cup of coffee every day, with 42.9% doing so just because they like the taste, according to research from MyFriendsCoffee. …

Starbucks to Transform Store Formats

Food Institute Focus – Starbucks to Transform Store Formats

Food Industry Gives Back

Food Institute Focus – Food Industry Gives Back

Starbucks Reopens in China, Closes First U.S. Location

Food Institute Focus – Starbucks Reopens in China, Closes First U.S. Location