Investments Archive
Sweetgreen Plunges, And the Question Is Why
Sweetgreen’s stock nosedived after dismal Q2 results, reigniting doubts about its scalability and consumer appeal. Management blames execution and macro headwinds – but investors may be losing faith in the salad chain’s long-term promise.
The Plant-Based Playbook: Pro Athletes Invest in Vegan Brands
Multiple pro athletes have either invested in plant-based foodservice and food retail brands or launched their own brands in recent years, including John Salley, Tom Brady, Chris Paul, Ed McCaffrey, and Mike Tyson. Let’s take a look at a few of these business ventures – and the motivators behind them.
For McDonald’s, Investors Believe History Will Repeat
McDonald’s stock has fared well lately, though its value edge has fizzled. Consumers are hungry for more than just $5 deals. History suggests resilience, but can the golden arches glitter amid rising costs and shrinking sales?
Investors Have Lost Faith in Conagra and the Industry
Conagra’s stock plunge reveals deep investor doubts about the packaged food sector’s ability to navigate inflation, tariffs, and margin pressure. With volume and pricing power eroding, the industry may be facing a new, uncomfortable normal.
New US Listing Creates Clear Mission for JBS
JBS says its stock could quadruple if markets re-rate it closer to peers like Tyson and Hormel – but a history of scandals still weighs heavily. With ESG scrutiny fading, JBS bets low drama could mean high returns.
Roark Capital’s Aggressive Buyout Strategy May Not Be Working
Roark Capital has built a restaurant empire rivaling McDonald’s in system-wide sales, yet questions linger over its investment strategy. With limited financial transparency and stalled IPOs, has Roark’s aggressive approach truly paid off for investors?
Raising Smart Capital in the Food Space: Navigating Today’s Challenges
Investor enthusiasm for food brands is strong, but securing capital has never been more challenging. Amid market volatility and heightened scrutiny, only the most strategic and well-prepared companies will land the funding needed to thrive.
Diageo Considers American Brand-Selling Strategy
Diageo, the spirits giant, is shifting its long-standing strategy by selectively selling off brands. The industry is watching closely to see whether this pivot will strengthen Diageo’s future or mirror the struggles of American food conglomerates.
Tariff Talk, State of Ag at 2025 BMO Global Farm to Market Conference
Food industry leaders gathered at the 2025 BMO Farm to Market Conference to dissect key challenges, including tariff pressures. Despite economic uncertainties, brands and retailers are deploying strategic pivots to ensure continued growth.
How F&B Companies Can Maximize Return on Tech Investments
Many F&B companies aren’t getting the results they desired from tech investments due to factors ranging from insufficient data to inadequate planning. Industry experts shared actionable strategies with FI to help companies resolve these issues.
Chipotle Gives Reason to React, Not Overreact
Despite Chipotle’s recent sales slump heading into 2025, investors are not worried about the future of the company. Although Chipotle stock has fallen 27% since December 6, its modest performance is peanuts compared to the fast casual sector, and its historic strength signals it can brace the bump.
For Oatly, Execution Has Been the Biggest Problem
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.
F&B Supply Chains Brace for Trump Administration Tariffs
Trump administration tariffs continue to warn the F&B sector; however, there are options to evade its impacts through careful sourcing strategies. Data and new technologies present opportunities for brands to take control of the situation.
AI and Independent Restaurants: Experts Share Tips, Predictions
Yum Brands’ new AI platform, Byte by Yum, illustrates the potential of proprietary tech for QSR giants, but independent restaurants can also leverage similar, customizable platforms. Experts advise starting small with AI for specific tasks and monitoring its outputs closely to ensure that it enhances efficiency.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing M&A Report: Q4 and year-end 2024
Experts Say Tentative Dockworkers Deal Strikes Balance
A tentative deal granting U.S. dockworkers a pay hike averted a potential supply chain crisis, while opening the door to modernizing ports.
COLUMN: Noodles & Company Needs More Than a Secret Sauce
Noodles & Company has tumbled from fast-casual stardom to potential Nasdaq delisting, plagued by declining morale, quality, and customer experience. One industry turnaround expert proposes a bold recovery plan targeting high-impact opportunities to restore the brand’s luster.
Farm Bill Extension: Crisis Averted, but for How Long?
Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown by passing a stopgap spending measure that prolongs the U.S. farm bill for another year. Experts warn that failing to modernize the farm bill within the next year could exacerbate food price volatility.
Retail’s Hidden Secret: Unlocking Quarter 5 Potential
The period between December 26 through mid-January offers myriad opportunities for CPGs and grocers alike. Measured omnichannel strategies and retail media network initiatives can support these efforts.
BNPL Boom Boosting Holiday Spending
Buy-now-pay-later services are surging in popularity, with Adobe projecting $18.5 billion in holiday purchases this year. While retailers benefit from increased sales and lower fees compared to credit cards, experts warn that BNPL poses risks if not carefully regulated.
Cava’s Secret Sauce: The QSR Is So Hot Right Now
The latest financial data shows Cava is enjoying tremendous success, outpacing the fast-casual dining segment and sustaining jaw-dropping growth. Some of this success is likely thanks to its Gen Z engagement strategy.
What’s Up with Airline Food? Shake Shack, Delta Partner on Burgers in the Sky
Delta’s latest partnership with Shake Shack has been met with excitement; however, is it enough to shake the airline’s negative in-flight meal image?
M&A on the Menu: Jersey Mike’s Lays Out $8B Recipe for Growth
Private equity firm Blackstone on Tuesday announced its $8 billion acquisition of Jersey Mike’s. One industry insider feels the blockbuster deal signals an optimistic outlook for M&A in the sector.
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Has Mike Tyson Bitten Off More Than He Can Chew with Mr. Charlie’s?
Mike Tyson is investing in a QSR chain dubbed the “vegan McDonald’s.” However, the rapidly expanding brand has locations in California, where the recent minimum wage increase played a major role in the demise of Kevin Hart’s similar concept last month.
Battle of the Brands: Gen Z Top Drinks, Snacks, Fast-Food Faves
Piper Sandler’s “Taking Stock With Teens” survey reveals that Gen Z favors Chick-fil-A, Monster, and Goldfish, respectively. More than anything, brands that prioritize convenience and energy remain the top choices.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing M&A Quarterly Report: Q2 2024
Private Label Growth Pockets in Frozen Food
As consumers continue to stockpile frozen foods, retail operators are leveraging private labels to tap into that demand. Which frozen products are experiencing the most store brand sales growth? FI investigates.
Survey Shows Retail Workers Prefer Practical Tools over AI
Today’s retail workers are most eager to be equipped with tools that help them tackle inefficient tasks, particularly when interacting with customers.
Dollar Stores Have Reached An Inflection Point
The performance of dollar store stocks suggested investors believed Walmart’s best days were behind it. They were wrong.
Market Signals: Unpacking Bezos Earth Fund’s Alt-Protein Allocation
Bezos Earth Fund is allocating $60 million to build research centers that focus on improving the taste, cost and nutritional value of alternative meats. What does this financial traction signal for the future of alt-meat investments?
How Post Holdings Claimed the Best Packaged Food Stock in the Market
Since its spin-off from Ralcorp, Post has spent over $10 billion on acquisitions. It has taken impairment changes relative to acquired assets of less than $300 million. Meanwhile, off a cereal business worth about $2 billion, Post and Bellring are now worth over $20 billion combined (including the respective companies’ debt).
Lead with Delicious: How Plant-Based Thrives
How will plant-based evolve in the year ahead? In this industry outlook, analysts weigh in on economic challenges, the financial landscape, and consumer adoption strategies for 2024.
Food & Beverage Manufacturing M&A Quarterly Report: Q4 2023
Stories of the Year: What Does AeroFarms’ Bankruptcy Signal for CEA’s Future?
Henry Gordon-Smith’s exploration of the bankruptcy at AeroFarms offered crisp context to the international state of controlled environment agriculture (CEA) before one of its most notable innovators declared bankruptcy.
Analysis: Automation Could Cure Labor Shortages in Manufacturing
Automation offers companies the opportunity to attract talent with the right skills and assign those skills to the most appropriate areas of the business.