AI Becoming Key to Customer Retention

As many shoppers trade down brands in the wake of rising inflation these days, what retailers need to do to attract these customers differs based on their usual value proposition.

Grocery Shoppers Weigh Delivery Fees Amid Inflation

As inflation takes its toll on household finances, consumers are weighing their grocery delivery options. “Delivery continues to be very strong—averaging 9-11 percent of total store sales. Grocers are now planning for, and investing in, …

Will AI Ordering Go Mainstream at Restaurants?

In response to labor shortages, some restaurants are turning to AI-powered bots that answer phones and communicate with customers.

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

Companies like McDonald’s are allowing workers to access hourly pay on demand in the hopes of shoring up the ongoing labor shortage.

Alternative Seafood Investments Are on the Rise

Investment in plant-based, fermented or cell-based “alternative seafood” amounted to $178.2 million between January and mid-July this year, as interest in the sector continued to grow. (Fish Farming Expert, July 28) In fact, the alternative …

Innovative Ingredients Helping Consumers Adopt Low FODMAP Diet

The FODMAP diet is gaining prominence among consumers who have sensitivity or intolerance to ingredients like gluten.

Investment in Vertical Farming Market Continues Steady Rise

The vertical farming market is projected to be worth $20.9B by 2029 as it could better contend with droughts, transportation issues and more.

Restaurant Tech Firms Adjust Amid Economic Uncertainty

A slowdown in venture capital funding and growing prospects for a recession has restaurant tech firms tightening their belts.

Is Plant-Based Meat Ripe for Expansion?

While sales of plant-based meats have slowed, the category could be ripe for expansion as pricing moves closer to that of traditional meats.

Upcycling Gains Traction as Key Sustainability Initiative

Ingredient upcycling for food products is gaining traction among consumers.

Case Study: Schnucks Using Prepared Food to Enhance Delivery Options

Time-sensitive customers want their food faster than ever, and Schnucks Markets is responding to that need by expanding its offerings.

Delivery Robots Hit College Campuses

Universities across the U.S. are tapping delivery robots to address the labor shortage and explore new business opportunities such as ghost kitchens, reported TechCrunch. Ohio State University became one of the first colleges to test …

Some Pandemic Food Tech Here to Stay

An Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll of U.S. adults released July 5 reveals nearly half of U.S. adults want to ditch virtual activities and ordering groceries online – but they’d still like …

Has Chick-fil-A Unveiled the Drive-Thru of the Future?

Chick-fil-A is testing an express drive-thru lane to speed up mobile order pick-up. The company calls its Express Drive-Thru model a “game changer” that will streamline the experience for its nearly 50 million mobile app …

Automation, Marketing to Gen Z Key Themes at Restaurant Show

CHICAGO – Members of the restaurant industry gathered in Chicago for the National Restaurant Association Show between in late May to taste the latest in culinary trends. Major themes at the show included automation, marketing …

Food-Centric App Mixo Set to Join Social-Media Fray

Social media platforms that cater specifically to food are limited. Mixo co-founder Shirley Romig would like to change that. “Food is fundamental to our everyday lives. People spend so much time on social media, and …

Food Industry Automation Gaining Momentum Amid Labor Shortage

Image courtesy of Miso Robotics Amid the pandemic-related labor shortage, investment in automation continues to gain momentum, particularly in the restaurant space. In fact, the food automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR …

Analysis: Mobile’s Potential Impact on the Future of Dining

Our smartphones have impacted just about every element of life and dining out is no exception. From QR code menus to online ordering and reviews, consumers have grown accustomed to mobile components attached to restaurants. …

Cultivated Meat Heating Up as Big Food Enters Market

When Dutch professor Mark Post unveiled the first cultivated meat burger in 2013 at a cost of $330,000, few could have imagined how the category would evolve. In fact, companies can now create a patty …

Robotic Delivery, Including Ice Cream, Expanding

The classic ice cream truck is getting a makeover. Automated “store on wheels” platform Robomart has partnered with Unilever to deploy robotic vehicles for ice cream delivery this summer, reported Supermarket News (May 6). Consumers …

Food Companies Creating Sophisticated Traceability Tech

A recent addition to the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), poised to go into effect in 2023 to minimize the scope and duration of food recalls, requires such complex technology that food industry businesses …

FI Exclusive: Q&A with Simbe Robotics CEO Brad Bogolea

When it comes to inventory management, few companies are automating the process for retailers like Simbe Robotics. The company’s “Tally” autonomous retail robot scans product inventory on shelves and connects data points to ensure products …

Drone Deliveries to Take Flight by 2025 – at Steep Cost

We may not have George Jetson’s flying car quite yet, but we could soon be getting a significant amount of our deliveries by drone if Amazon and Chili’s have their way. Amazon has been talking …

IFMA CEO: 3 Key Issues Likely to Drive Foodservice Forward

Phil Kafarakis knows the pandemic has created dire situations for many restaurants. At the same time, he’s also encouraged by the resilience displayed by many operators. “I think this pandemic gave people an opportunity to …

Analysis: What are the Benefits of Precision Fermentation?

The process used to create precision fermentation is akin to alchemists transforming basic metals into gold. In this case, however, scientists are transforming sugar and fungus into hamburgers. According to RethinkX, a think tank that …

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 …

Inaugural Protein & Plant Evolution™ Conference Announced

Interactive & Educational Conference Designed to Meet the Needs of Retailers, Foodservice Operators, Food Manufacturers, Investors, Financial Services and Policy Makers, Scheduled for June 1-3 February 16, 2022/FI Newswire/ – The Food Institute and The Lempert …

WATCH: Cutting Edge Food Tech Displayed at Winter Olympics

With the Winter Olympics underway this week, we’ve been getting a glimpse at some technological innovations used to feed the thousands of athletes in attendance. Robotic technology is helping serve athletes in Beijing, for example. …

FDA: Blockchain-Based Food Tracking Bound for Widespread Adoption

A new rule could boost blockchain-based food tracking. The rule, expected next November, would require the food industry to maintain records associated with the critical tracking events on the supply chain, according to Frank Yiannas, …

State of the Restaurant Industry: Tech Triggering Optimism

Just 2% of restaurants reported an increase in sales in December. Yet, a survey by TD Bank found 81% of restaurant operators are nevertheless optimistic about the future. Restaurant operators are faced with several challenges …

Food Innovations Center Stage at Recent CES Show

The highly anticipated Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas had a decidedly different feel this year. The trade show, which wrapped up January 8, was significantly smaller than pre-pandemic days and featured multiple Covid precautions. …

Which Technologies Will Push the Food Industry Forward?

Propelled by the pandemic, robotic innovations are still making food-industry headlines. A few of the latest developments include: 7-Eleven partnered with Nuro to pilot a commercial delivery service using autonomous vehicles in the Silicon Valley …

Are Autonomous Vehicles the Next Big Thing in Delivery?

Third-party delivery services like Instacart, UberEats and DoorDash have taken the world of grocery, retail and restaurants by storm. So, what’s the next great innovation for these segments? It could be autonomous delivery, using vehicles …

‘Shroom Boom’ Likely to Continue in Plant-Based, Traditional Categories

Fungi fever is sweeping the food industry, and the increased supply of mushrooms in packaged food and drinks is only the first wave of the phenomenon. Both Whole Foods Market and Kroger named mushrooms as …

Acquisitions Driving Autonomous Farming Movement Forward

Acquisitions are quickly changing the face of the so-called “smart farming” landscape. The latest example of that evolution comes via Fieldin, the world’s largest smart farm operations management company, which recently acquired agricultural autonomous driving company …

Prospects for Cultivated Meat Boosted by JBS, Upside Foods Investments

As alt-meat technology continues to make innovative strides, recent investments by major industry players suggest the long-term potential of the cultivated, or lab-grown, meat sector. Last week, JBS announced plans to invest $100 million in …