Making LTOs Permanent: When Fans Influence Brands

Sometimes fans get the best of their preferred brands and flavors by creating demand for a once-unthinkable product or simply demanding the return of favorite LTOs.

Split Decision: Kellogg’s Future Murky After Morphing into Two Companies

During the financial crisis of 2008-09, the idea of a “bad bank” came into vogue. With financial institutions worldwide weighed down by non-performing mortgages, industry professionals argued that the proper path was to simply move …

Albertsons’ New 30-minute Grocery Delivery Met with Industry Skepticism

The pandemic saw an explosion in grocery delivery and pickup options but now that things have gone back to near normal, the question is whether such services can distinguish grocery chains and satisfy consumers’ desire …

Analysis: Why Web 3.0 Could Reshape the Food Industry

Web 3.0 could revolutionize business practices, including the food industry, but how does it differ from the versions that came before it?

How Can Startups Stand Out in Plant-Based?

What strategies can emerging companies employ to distinguish themselves in the teeming plant-based market? FI unpacked this question with Chelsie Hodge, founder and CEO of frozen functional beverage company, Blender Bites.

Candy & Spice and Everything Nice: Holiday Hits Retail Earlier Than Ever as Spending Shrinks

It’s not just the days that are getting shorter – the amount of time between glimpsing ghouls and buying roof clips for Rudolph is shrinking, too. Home Depot sold out of its first run of …

Candy & Confections Are Killin’ It in 2023

What if candy were associated more with a lifestyle and not with high-sugar, indulgence-driven snacking? That’s how the Swedes do it. In the 1970s, a Swedish dentist created a campaign suggesting children only eat candy …

Top Trends at the Plant Based World Expo 2023

The Food Institute was on the scene at the 2023 Plant Based World Expo taking in the sights, sounds, and most importantly—tastes—while chatting with exhibitors about their offerings. Here are the top trends we spotted:

Coca-Cola Finds Marketing Success by Sidestepping Controversy

When was the last time you heard “controversy” and “Coca-Cola” in the same sentence? Not in recent months. The venerable company has made a concerted effort to avoid culture wars and political stances while also …

Driving Sales with America’s Most Polarizing Foods 

Polarizing foods can generate criticism, curiosity, and engagement among consumers. But who are the leading offenders in this category, and can food industry operators leverage this love/hate relationship to drive engagement?

The Slow, Rewarding, Delicious Business of Branded Apples

The American apple harvest could reach 250 million bushels this year, a 1.5% increase from 2022. Branded apple varieties account for 15% to 20% of apple sales.

Beef Prices Hitting New Highs at Retail and Restaurants

Domestic beef prices continue to reach new highs. Retail beef prices hit another record high in August, with the Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting a price of $8.31 per lb., according to Wells Fargo analysis …

Outlook for Meal Kits Murky

Meal-kit companies are delivering mixed results in 2023. The difference between the category’s “haves” and “have-nots” appears to be widening. “There’s a broad range of what’s considered a ‘meal kit’ today, reflective of rapidly changing …

The Top 5 Food as Medicine Functional Ingredients

Everything you eat affects your chemistry, and scientists have long recognized that certain foods contain healing substances. From customized nutrition to treating specific disorders, the concept of “food as medicine” is nothing new. Yet, some …

What Can Supermarkets Learn from the Success of ‘Extreme Value’ Retailers?

Continued economic pressure has led to growing sales at “extreme value” retailers like Ollie’s Bargain Outlet Holdings—including in food, according to President and CEO John Swygert on a call with investors. Ollie’s strong performance in …

Packaged Foods Stocks Struggle with Inflation—and Investors

Packaged food stocks experienced a banner year in 2022. The five biggest manufacturers—General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Campbell Soup, Kellogg, and Conagra Brands—on average returned 22% including dividends. On the same basis, the Standard & Poor’s …

What Do Plant-Based Consumers Want Most?

Curiosity is the number one reason consumers try plant-based foods, but what will keep them coming back for more? At the Plant Based World Expo in New York City last week, Steve Markenson, VP of Research & Insights at The Food Industry Association, addressed this essential question.

Drought Sending Pasta Prices Soaring

Pasta, that quick, go-to meal for hungry and cash-strapped college students and busy parents, is no longer the inexpensive choice it once was, with prices for noodles up 8% in the U.S. and 12% in …

Report Argues Americans Don’t Eat ‘Nearly Enough’ Protein

Are you eating enough protein? Some experts argue the daily recommended 0.8 grams per kg of body weight isn’t nearly enough. “There seems to be no question that protein is needed in times of growth …

The Scary Truth: Inflation Impacting Halloween Plans

This fall, candy manufacturers are faced with a frightening reality: many shoppers are planning to ease back on Halloween-related purchases. A new Halloween Spending Trends report revealed 73% of Americans said their shopping for the …

COLUMN: What F&B Companies Can Learn from Jimmy Buffett

No matter how you feel about Jimmy Buffett and “Margaritaville,” the man built a billion-dollar empire from a napkin.

Syrian Food Movement Gaining Momentum

Syrian cuisine dates to at least 3000 BC. Yet despite its roots in ancient cities like Damascus, Syrian food is suddenly trendier than ever.

AI Chatbots Are Coming to a Food Delivery App Near You

The race to integrate AI chatbots into third-party food delivery apps is on, but major players like DoorDash and Uber Eats are holding their cards close to their chest, for now. Neither company has publicly …

Kombucha Health Benefits Drive Market Growth

Kombucha tea continues to rise in popularity among mainstream consumers. With age-old ties to immunity and gut health, the fermented drink has also become a target for medical research.  The global kombucha market is expected …

Analysis: How to Win Back E-Commerce Shoppers

While the end of the pandemic has been mostly good news for grocers, the return to in-store shopping has taken its toll on grocery e-commerce. More than half (52%) of consumers have stopped using the …

Plant-based Dairy Indulgences Intriguing Consumers

Plant-based creamer has ascended to become the third largest plant-based category – as new product releases have highlighted.

Rock the Block(chain): NFTs in Food and Beverage

The heck is an NFT? Their precursors in the ‘90s were called pogs – often cheap and of limited variety for the average consumer, easily tradable and without much long-term staying power. Non-fungible tokens (NFTs) …

Hot Honey & The Great Condiment Mashup

Hot honey is back. The question is, did it ever leave? Helping prompt this question is Pizza Hut. Pizza Hut has been making a quiet comeback in the QSR market the last few years; it …

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.

Late-Night Fast Food Making a Comeback

After-bar snackers rejoice! Late night is back. With the resurgence of late-night activities, such as concerts and sporting events as the Covid pandemic eases, people are out and about later and looking to snack – …

Beliv Exec: Innovation, Sustainability Key to Growing Brands in Latin America

The non-alcoholic, ready-to-drink beverage category appears poised for significant growth. Consider: in 2023 the revenue in the non-alcoholic drinks market amounts to $53.1 billion dollars. Beliv, a fast-growing, better-for-you beverage brand, is eager to seize …

More Diners Looking for Sushi Fix at Grocery Stores

Consumers are turning toward grocery store sushi when looking for a healthier snack or quick meal but don’t want to pay restaurant prices.

Analysis: Aldi’s Ascent Rolls on with Winn-Dixie, Harvey’s Acquisitions

Aldi’s acquisition of the Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s banners from Southeastern Grocers is set to shake up the grocery industry, as the off-price retailer gains access to 400 stores in five states.

Recent Spate of Restaurant Closures Confounds Industry

Despite major restaurant chains enjoying increased spending from consumers, a spate of closures have hit smaller restaurants.

What’s Next in Precision Fermentation?

The global precision fermentation market is predicted to grow at a compound annual rate (CAGR) of 40.5% between 2022 – 2031. The dairy sub-segment is expected to dominate, while increasing consumer preference for plant-based meat is anticipated to fuel growth over the long-term.

Analysis: Why History Colors Campbell’s Sovos Deal

Across the 1980s and 1990s, Campbell Soup was one of the best stocks not only in the food industry, but the entire market. Including dividends, CPB returned 2,700%, or about 18%, on an annualized basis. …