Focus Archive > Page 56

Report: Labor Shortage Limiting New Business Openings

Restaurants and supermarkets are struggling to find enough workers to open new locations, as noted by The Wall Street Journal (June 3). There were a record-high 8.1 million unfilled jobs at the end of March, …

UPDATE: JBS Poised to Reopen Following Cyber Attack

JBS has made “significant progress” in resolving the cyberattack that hit its global operations and will have the vast majority of its plants operational today, reported Bloomberg (June 2). “Our systems are coming back online …

Analysts: Food Delivery Apps Face Uncertain Future

Food delivery services like DoorDash and Uber Eats became an essential service during the pandemic, when consumers were mostly confined to home and restaurants were closed to indoor patrons. But now that life is returning …

JBS Cyber Attack Signals Threat to Global Food Supply 

Major meat producer JBS SA is grappling with a recent cybersecurity attack which affected servers supporting the company’s IT systems in North America and Australia. The attack disrupted two shifts and halted processing at one of Canada’s largest meatpacking plants, reported Bloomberg (May …

Chipotle Leading Sustainable Packaging Trend

Chipotle’s half-decade commitment to sustainability largely serves as a blueprint for the foodservice segment. In 2018, Chipotle announced that, by the year 2020, the fast-casual chain aimed to divert half of all of its restaurant …

Food Industry Financials: Inflation, CBRL, SAFM, and more

Here are trending economic and food industry data points, as well as major economic and company earnings releases for the coming week: food inflation, earnings from Cracker Barrel (CBRL), Sanderson Farms (SAFM), Costco (COST) and …

A Primer on Vertical Farming as the Industry Gains Steam

The modern concept of vertical farming was put forth in 1999 by Columbia University microbiologist Dickson Despommier, who along with his students, came up with a design of a skyscraper farm that could feed 50,000 people. …

Update: Inflation Cutting into American Spending

Consumers are clearly eager to get out and spend after being cooped up at home for over a year, but as costs continue to rise, how much they’re willing to buy is limited. BOOSTED SPENDING …

Ghost Kitchen Expansion Could Create `New Reality’ for QSRs

Many fast-food chains, including Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, and Burger King, continue to expand their ghost kitchen operations and lean further into the delivery space. But with dining restrictions easing and restaurant traffic on rise — why …

Drought Update: West Coast, Midwest Water Supplies Dwindle

Editor’s Note: This is an update to The Food Institute’s April article “Is the U.S. Facing a Megadrought?” Central Valley Farmers to Get No Allocation Farmers in California’s Central Valley Project will get none of …

Vertical Farming Advances with Largest Deal on Record

Nearly $1.9 billion of global venture capital was invested in indoor farming in 2020, nearly tripling over 2019, according to PitchBook data. With those figures in mind, here is a look into some recent developments: …

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Inside a $650M Ponzi Scheme Including Cattle

Two people are facing federal charges they bilked investors across the country in a $650 million Ponzi scheme involving bogus short-term cattle or marijuana investments. Reva Joyce Stachniw, 69, of Galesburg, Illinois, and Ron Throgmartin, …

Corporate Diversity Initiatives One Year After George Floyd

George Floyd’s death sparked nationwide protests and ultimately served as a catalyst for anti- discrimination efforts. Many companies also responded by releasing statements against racism. And some took action, setting quantifiable goals to increase diversity …

Survey: Rising Food Prices Have Consumers Changing Allegiances

Escalating food and grocery prices have many U.S. shoppers rethinking their loyalty to retailers and brands, according to a new survey by Inmar Intelligence. Although vaccines and looser business restrictions are making consumers eager to get …

Restaurant Traffic Up, But Industry Faces Headwinds 

Since the beginning of the year, foot traffic to U.S. food and beverage establishments is up 41 percent, according to Zenreach data. And with the weather getting nicer, vaccinations on the rise, and dining limitations slowly being lifted, restaurant traffic continues to soar. Restaurant …

Low-Sugar Products Market Hitting Higher Gear

For those looking to cut back on sugar, options used to be limited—and, often, not very tasty. In 2021, however, health-conscious consumers suddenly have a plethora of low-sugar items to choose from, whether it’s candy …

Outlook Bright for Non-Alcoholic Beverage Market

The mindful drinking movement has been gaining traction for several years, with “sober curious” consumers opting for no- or low- alternatives to reduce their alcohol intake.   Throughout the pandemic, demand for non-alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits increased, with consumers drinking most frequently while relaxing at …

As Retail Spending Rises, Target Growth Rates Best Walmart 

Big-box retailers have reported surprisingly strong first-quarter results as consumers – with more money from stimulus checks and rising optimism about a return to normal life – spent more in-store and online as COVID-19 cases fell and vaccination rates increased. And, while Walmart posted sector-leading earnings that surged past Wall Street estimates …

State of CBD Industry in the Food & Beverage Sector

CBD continues to be a bright light in the food and beverage industry. However, growth has leveled off from its stellar 2019 gains on a combination of the FDA’s reluctance to approve its usage and …