Unlocking Gen Z Loyalty: Why Experiential Branding is the Future

According to brand strategy experts, Gen Z consumers currently seek experiences and cultural relevance from CPG companies.

Cloud Bread to Burn-away Cakes: Tomorrow’s TikTok Trends in Restaurant & Retail

From chefs to retailers to restaurant operators, catching fire with a dish that went viral on TikTok can ignite a fan base (and bolster quarterly revenue).

Debunking the Myths Surrounding Gen Z Consumers

Many brands miss the mark when they attempt to connect with Gen Z – a cohort that’s now coming into economic power.

Consumer Buzz: Top 3 Wellness Trends

Across the U.S, social chatter is shaping wellness conversations and boosting demand for related ingredients. Here are three wellness trends to watch, according to a new report from Brightfield Group. Immunity Now Within Brightfield’s Wellness …

Study Examines the Attitudes, Inspirations of Gen Z Consumers

Just as baby boomers changed everything that came before them, Gen Z consumers, the oldest of whom are now 26, is poised to do the same, demanding everything from corporate accountability to guaranteed minimum income …

Prominent Doctor Fears Impact of TikTok Diet Trends

Americans are getting away from healthy habits like meal prepping and perusing produce aisles. Instead, many consumers opt for quicker, more convenient food that often include preservatives and copious amounts of sugar or oils.

A Hallmark Movie, but Make it Shoppable: Walmart’s Add to Heart

Airing on three platforms (YouTube, Roku, and the pocket-laden TikTok) and also playing in stores, Add to Heart is nothing if not a bold step into the media-laden retail environment increasingly influenced by in-store retail media networks.

Has Tofu Gone Mainstream?

Tofu is enjoying a new era of popularity thanks to its adaptability and nutritional clout. But despite its position as a plant-based powerhouse, this longtime vegan staple has its own share of hurdles to overcome.

FI Fast Break audio news: Oct. 18, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the push for $25 per hour among employees at a major U.S. restaurant chain.

Expert: TikTok Shop Offers Huge Opportunity for CPG Companies

In September, TikTok became more than a video sharing social media platform. The app known for dance fads, cooking demos, viral challenges and conversation duets is taking on e-commerce. TikTok Shop, which launched for all …

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 13, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on California’s proposal for a $20-per-hour minimum wage for most fast-food workers.

Under the Influence: Protecting Business from Poor Influencers

It’s the influencers’ world and we’re just living in it. Here’s how to avoid the next Fyre Festival with your brand.

Analysis: What Gen Z Seeks From Supermarkets

A new study found that 78% of Gen Zers are concerned about the economy and, somewhat surprisingly, 97% of the youthful cohort still shops in-store.

Ozempic & Other Drugs: Explaining the Weight-Loss Medication Craze

Several medications approved to treat diabetes are being used as “miracle” weight-loss drugs, and the category continues to grow.

Why Lemon8 May Replace TikTok as Top Marketing App

As Congress considers a ban on the social media platform TikTok due to questions about the privacy of data, online safety concerns and connections with the Chinese Communist Party, many individuals and businesses alike are …

Catching Lightning: TikTok & Blowing Up Your Brand

The TikTok algorithm doesn’t care about followers; it cares about what you watch. The No. 1 thing consumers watch is authentic brands and people.

Report: Trends to Watch Include DTC Plant-Based Brands

The $7.44 trillion U.S food industry is investing in ecommerce, robotics, and technology like never before. Here are three noteworthy trends for food producers and grocery retailers to prioritize in the year ahead.

Tea-Infused Cocktails Take TikTok by Storm

Tea-infused cocktails are the latest drink trend on TikTok, signaling that healthy, affordable beverages resonate with consumers.

Restaurateur Stephen Schrutt on What Makes Gen-Z Tick

Every generation brings change, but Generation Z has an important distinction: It’s the first generation to have grown up in the digital era and members have high standards for how to spend their time online. …

TikTok Expert: Authenticity Key for Food Brands Marketing to Gen Z

With an endless supply of content and more than 50 million daily users, there is no shortage of ways for brands to market themselves on TikTok – particularly to Gen Z. In fact, half of …

Gen Z Stakes Its Claim as The ‘Foodie’ Generation

Being a “foodie” is now a central component of the Gen Z identity, according to a recent study from Cassandra by Big Village. According to the report, Young & Hungry, Gen Z considers themselves the …

Analysis: Gummies, TikTok Stole Show in Chicago

CHICAGO – Bright, multi-colored displays of gummies and exhibitors touting their presence on TikTok largely stole the spotlight at the recent National Confectioners Association’s Sweets & Snacks Expo. Gummies are big business, included in the …

3 Keys for Successful Social Media Marketing

Food businesses are losing faith in Instagram following a change in its algorithm. The social media platform’s choice to prioritize videos over photos has created unforeseen costs for small businesses, leaving many owners frustrated, reported …

FI Fast Break audio news: March 30, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the current state of consumer confidence, and big moves by Gotham Greens. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – March …

FI Fast Break audio news: March 23, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the growth of certain CPG categories and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – March 23, 2022 The FI …

TikTok is Becoming a Food Industry Influencer

Users sharing their food on social media is nothing new, but TikTok is taking the phenomenon to new heights. Earlier this week, the hashtag for “food” had garnered a whopping 268 billion views on the …

Is MrBeast Changing the Game in Food Marketing?

YouTube star Jimmy Donaldson – better known as MrBeast – is getting back into the food space with a better-for-you snack brand. Following the success of his virtual restaurant brand, MrBeast Burger, Donaldson is introducing …

TikTok Feels Timing’s Right to Enter Virtual Restaurant Space

Get ready to hear the term “TikTok Kitchen” early and relatively often in 2022. The video-sharing social media platform – which has more than 1 billion monthly users – recently announced a partnership with Virtual …

FI Fast Break audio news: Dec. 22, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we break down predictions for food inflation and multiple labor disputes. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Dec. 22, 2021 The …

What Google’s Top Trending Food Searches Signal for the Food Industry

As another year comes to a close, Google revealed its annual list of top trending food searches. Here’s what consumers were looking for in 2021: TikTok pasta Bacon jam Birria tacos Crockpot chicken Hamantaschen Squid …

Major Food Companies Turning to Unprecedented Measures to Find New Hires

Dealing with a shallow labor pool, major companies are increasingly turning to creative – and, in some cases, controversial – measures to attract new hires. Here’s a look at some unique moves made recently along …

Addressing Food Industry’s Labor Shortage with TikTok, Other Solutions

The statistics are staggering. According to a recent poll conducted by job site Monster.com, 95% of respondents were “currently considering changing jobs,” and 92% said they’d switch industries to get a new job. The top …

Gen Z Expert Shares 4 Tips for Mastering Marketing on TikTok

Jason Dorsey knows it’s not easy to keep up with all the evolving forms of social media. Nevertheless, the Gen Z expert feels it’s time to embrace marketing on TikTok, a social network which has …

Why is Big Business Interested in TikTok?

TikTok, a platform where some 50 million U.S. daily users share short-form videos, has been receiving attention in the media as the Chinese-owned company searches for a U.S. buyer. The app is not only a …

Influencers Extend Foodservice’s Marketing Reach

Influencers and celebrities have changed the way people consume content, and restaurants are taking note of this. “When you’re posting from your own operated social channels, you’re reaching a very small percentage of your followers …

Advertisers Boycott Facebook in Protest Against Hate Speech

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