Kind of a Big Deal: Snack Brand Targets Protein, Flavor in 2025

Beth Jarocki, chief customer officer at KIND Snacks, said modern shoppers are as focused as ever on consuming more protein, less sugar, and bolder, spicier flavors.

5 Health and Wellness Trends to Watch in 2025

As consumers increasingly prioritize health and wellness, trends like gut health and intermittent fasting continue to gain traction. As a result, brands must take steps like monitoring online conversations to stay relevant in the evolving market.

2024: The Year of the Convenience Store

Convenience stores have seen significant growth in 2024, with visits increasing 58.6% in August compared to 2021, driven by expanded food offerings and smaller, more frequent shopping trips.

Trust Your Gut: Harken Sweets Goes All in on Superfood Snacks

A health scare inspired CEO Katie Lefkowitz to create gut-friendly snack bars. She ended up with a sweet solution in the form of date caramel candy bars.

Hurricane Helene Leaves Crop Losses, Poultry Disruptions in its Wake

Hurricane Helene caused significant agricultural damage in the Southeastern U.S. recently, affecting crops like soybeans and peanuts, along with poultry production. The storm’s long-term impact could strain supply chains too, experts note.

Plant-Based Maker Claims Landmark Milestone, Efficiency

Rebellyous is set to unveil a production system that would enable the company to produce plant-based meat that competes in price and quality.

Protein-Packed Products Have Become an American Obsession

Is America overdosing on protein? Some experts feel that Americans have developed a dangerous obsession with protein-packed items like steak, ready-to-drink workout shakes, and snack bars.

New Report Envisions ‘Grocery Shopper of the Future’

A new report from 84.51° highlights key shifts shaping the future grocery shopper, including an aging, more diverse population, and the growth of single-person and multigenerational households.

The Cheat Code: 4 Tips for Marketing to Video Game Fans

Food and beverage brands are tapping into the gamer market with marketing tactics like in-game product placements and creative snack options. Protein-packed and handheld snacks are also on the rise as gamers seek healthier choices.

Report Reveals ‘Digital Divide’ in F&B Supply Chains

A new industry study suggests food and beverage suppliers simply can’t afford to ignore supply chain modernization.

Aloha Protein Bar Brand Riding Wellness Wave to Big Growth

Aloha CEO Brad Charron is bullish on plant-based products. And it’s easy to see why, considering his better-for-you protein bar brand experienced 500% growth from 2020 to 2023.

The Top 5 Foods for Healthy Hearing

Recent research found that certain diets are associated with reduced risk of hearing loss. Even simply eating certain foods full of vitamins can help preserve one’s hearing, according to one audiologist.

Smart Money: Smart Carts Continue to Evolve, Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line

An evolving form of smart carts is helping grocery chains like Kroger, Price Chopper, and Schnucks offer painless and personalized shopping experiences.

Researchers: Antimicrobial Resistance, Superbugs Could Spur New Pandemic

Could a combination of the animals we eat and antimicrobial resistance eventually trigger another pandemic? Some university researchers fear that possibility is real.

On the Grind: Cold Brew Coffee Resonating with Hustle Culture

Cold brew coffee has become a $6.5 billion market, as the “at-home barista” trend gains steam. Young adults increasingly crave caffeine in the form of RTD coffee drinks.

Aging Gracefully: Freeze-Dried Meals Go Mainstream

There’s one element of the Mountain House brand’s website that might inspire a double-take from new customers: “30-Year Taste Guarantee.” “Personally, I’ve eaten (Mountain House) products that are 44, 45 years old,” said Drew Huebsch, …

Raising the Bar: How MadeGood and Bobo’s Snack Bars Became ‘Killer Products’

Two brands winning this back-to-school season are MadeGood and Bobo’s, according to a prominent CEO. The snacks’ allergen-free ingredients have won over Millennial parents.

Down Under Pressure: Outback Steakhouse Fighting to Win Back Diners

Outback Steakhouse has turned to value as its traffic dropped and it reduced locations. Industry experts are confident the 37-year-old chain can bounce back – provided it takes a few careful steps.

Taco the Town: Del Taco Tops Consumers’ Best Fast-Food List

Del Taco, a restaurant chain nearing its 60th anniversary, has never been hotter, winning top marks in a recent best fast-food list.

Seven Sundays Aims to Revitalize Cereal Segment with ‘Real Food’

Hannah Barnstable, the CEO of the Seven Sundays brand, isn’t offended when people say the cereal category is dying. “I actually agree with that,” she said. Barnstable, who co-founded Seven Sundays 12 years ago with …

From Aisles to Apps: The Keys to Crafting Omnichannel Excellence

Retail insights company 84.51° feels it’s crucial that retailers provide a cohesive shopping experience both online and in-store. Because hybrid shoppers expect to have access to the same prices and brands regardless of how they shop.

CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks

Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.

Freeze Frame: Viral Frozen Grape Trend Illustrates Power of TikTok

The frozen grape food hack has been popular for three years now – and there’s still time for food businesses to take advantage.

A for Effort: Parents, Administrators Improving School Lunches

As a new school year approaches, a survey shows parents are prioritizing nutrients and taste far more than cost when shopping for their kids’ school lunch items.

Recall Response 101: Strategies for Brands in Crisis

As recent product recalls show, the stakes are high when brands must respond to a recall. Experts share the necessary steps to keep a brand’s reputation intact during a recall.

Wawa, Red Robin Among Fastest Hirers in Tight U.S. Job Market

Indeed recently compiled a list the Top 15 companies hiring the fastest in the U.S., and the food industry was well-represented on the list.

5 Supply Chain Concerns to Watch in Late 2024

There are several global supply chain concerns for the second half of 2024. F&B executives are particularly concerned about geopolitical tensions and severe weather.

Pour It Over: New Bev50 Report Cites Rise of Impulse Purchases

Alpha-Diver’s latest Bev50 Report examines what’s currently driving consumer beverage purchases, leveraging their extensive U.S. database.

Mighty Casey’s Strikes a Major Deal

America’s third-largest C-store chain just got bigger, as Casey’s strikes a major deal includes 148 stores in Texas.

Breakfast Chain Perkins Looks to Flip Script With Bold Rebrand

Perkins, the 66-year-old breakfast restaurant chain, is evolving. Long a fixture near interstate exits, the chain aims to give customers new offerings that will inspire frequent pitstops.

Case Study: Elevating the Grocery Checkout Experience

Customer engagement company Birdzi has partnered with retail solutions provider ECRS for tech that allows grocery shoppers to redeem digital coupons in real-time.

Bayou Best Foods Aims to Jump Start Plant-Based Seafood Sector

While the U.S. alt-seafood market has been sluggish at best, Big Idea Ventures (BIV) has plans to change that. The agrifoodtech investor recently unveiled Bayou Best Foods, the newest entrant to the plant-based seafood sector.

Riding High: Data Shows LongHorn Steakhouse Ascending Among Casual-Dining Chains

LongHorn Steakhouse has become a prime candidate to unseat rivals like Texas Roadhouse as America’s preferred steakhouse.

CEO Predicts Global ‘Food Wars’ as Supplies Wane

“Food wars” are simmering, as geopolitical tensions have inspired a rise of protectionism amid concerns about dwindling supplies, according to one of the largest global agricultural commodity traders, Olam Agri. The Singapore-based agri-business is part of the Olam Group, which supplies food worldwide.

The Plight of the Hourly Employee: Low Morale, Long Hours and AI Fears

A new study shows that hourly employees are demanding more recognition from their employers along with increasingly flexible schedules.

Personalized Wellness on the Rise: 90% Seek Tailored Health Products

“The global wellness economy is booming across all sectors as people prioritize healthier choices,” noted David Knies, wellness and innovation expert at PA Consulting.