These days, it seems we can’t go a week (or sometimes, even a day) without an update on two of the nation’s most important restaurant chains. Yes, I’m talking about Chipotle Mexican Grill and McDonald’s. …
McDonald’s released it’s first quarter earnings report on April 22, and although we’ve pondered what changes could be coming for the brand, we now have a look at how some of the company’s earliest changes …
McDonald’s is constantly under the microscope, and rightfully so: as one of the largest fast-food chains in the U.S. (not to mention across the globe), the choices it makes can have reverberating consequences for competitors, …
It’s a tumultuous time in the beverage industry. With health regulators, city officials and the average consumer expressing backlash against sugar-laden beverages, many are looking to health drinks with a specific focus on organic drinks …
In 1990’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Michaelangelo gives his delivery man some sage advise: “Forgiveness is divine, but never pay full price for late pizza.” Although he was speaking to a local pizza delivery man, …
In recent years, Americans have shifted their food purchasing habits. What was once the hallmark of the American food industry, grocery stores have taken a backseat in the news as fast-casual eateries, farmers markets, specialty …
The phenomena of e-commerce is an incredible boon for consumers: customers can now quickly and easily find, research, purchase and use products in record time, with some areas of the U.S. already getting used to …
Amazon is a fairly constant topic here at the Food Institute Blog, and within the past few weeks, the company gave us plenty to write about. From the expansion of Amazon Payments to new products …
Last night, the Kansas City Royals defended their World Series crown against the New York Mets in a 4-3 game, officially launching the Major League Baseball season. As the 162-game campaign begins, fans round the …
This morning, the news broke that Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. was seeking a trademark for the name “Better Burger,” and the internet reacted in the way we’ve come to expect when it comes to the …
Ever-controversial and endlessly debated, it would would appear that the GMO-labeling crowd gained a narrow victory over the past few weeks even though attempts at nationwide regulations failed. A number of major food companies unveiled …
Grocery shops, drug stores, restaurants and fast-food stores are all battling for a share of consumers’ stomachs, and in this battle, retailers seem to have the upper hand, according to an updated study from Technomic. …
Over the past few years, American consumers have made a conscious decision to focus on natural, good-for-you brands and healthy foods. Generally speaking, this move can be lauded as a positive for the nation’s health, …
Just two days ago I called Chipotle’s 2015 “tumultuous.” I think it’s fair to say that 2016 has also seen a whirlwind of news activity regarding the popular Mexican quick-service chain, with information leaking about …
“Tumultous” is the first word that comes to mind when thinking of Chipotle’s performance in 2015. The company’s much-lauded move to a menu free of all GMO ingredients was quickly followed up by norovirus and …
Not too long ago, I think most consumers saw “organic” and “natural” products as luxury items for those who could afford them. I know that I was in that camp, and although I understood that …
Researching and learning about food product recalls is part of the daily routine here at the Food Institute, and a majority of those stories never reach the national news. Often, the products are recalled due …
Sales in the grocery industry are never easy to come by. It takes an experienced leadership team, motivated department managers, an effective supply chain and qualified employees to find those sales. That doesn’t even take …
Just shy of a year after its creation, the Kraft Heinz Company is already making waves in the food industry. The company is working with a new advertising budget for its updated, natural product formulations. …
It’s hard to believe that the Food Institute Blog is already over a year old. One of the topics we covered heavily in the early days of the blog concerned the West Coast port slowdown. …
The Dash Button ordering system. The face of American drone research. One-hour delivery to select markets. Whether it’s food-related or not, Amazon serves as a weathervane for today’s retail landscape. The company generates a surprising …
My last name has lead to a variety of interactions over the years, ranging from questions about my relationship to the classic soup maker (spoiler alert: nope, not related) to the gifting of a Andy …
The Kroger Co., by all accounts, is a giant. Born in 1883 in Cincinnati, OH, The Kroger Company is now the country’s largest supermarket chain by revenue and operates over 2,620 supermarkets and multi-department stores. …
What a wild ride the last twelve months have been for Chipotle. From GMO-free to E. coli-laced with a touch of norovirus in between, much has been written about Chipotle Mexican Grill’s wild year. Once …
If you take a look through past editions of the Food Institute’s Today in Food daily newsletter, you won’t run out of stories concerning meal delivery, grocery shopping and other food-related technology. For example, our …
In 2015, a number of major companies in the food industry were forced to deal with the backlash surrounding a foodborne illness tied to their products. Chipotle Mexican Grill was the focus of scrutiny following …
If you are a lover of soda, social media and live entertainment, PepsiCo is about to make your dreams come true. The company unveiled plans for its first Kola House, an experimental kola bar, restaurant, …
When it comes to food labeling discussions, GMOs are all the rage and both sides have equally-fervent advocates. GMO supporters claim the modified ingredients don’t harm anyone and mandatory labeling efforts could hurt producers by …
Last year, McDonald’s tested a breakfast bowl with kale in Southern California. It was not surprising, considering that the trendy vegetable has been added to the menus of numerous more upscale quick-serve restaurants like Panera …
Americans relied upon brand-name diets for years, jumping from Jenny Craig to Lean Cuisine to Weight Watchers in an effort to help lose weight. The days of Americans leaning on promises of shredding fat through …
As consumers change, so do companies. Staying relevant and in-touch with consumers is imperative for any brand, and recently, consumers have started to showcase a desire for dealing with companies that are environmentally and socially …
Everyone in the food industry knows that prices, to an extent, are flexible. Different types of food are subject to market fluctuations, tariffs, taxes, shipping costs and more. These prices can vary from state to …
The vegan diet was once reserved for people who avoided all products sourced from or tested on animals due to ethical reasons. The removal of dairy, meats and all other animal byproducts from one’s entire …
It’s an oft-cited cliche, but it’s often cited for a reason: Americans love to make New Year’s resolutions every January 1, and those resolutions are usually tied to weight management in some form. New diets, …
It’s finally dropped below freezing in the Northeast, and I for one know my grocery shopping habits are changing. During the warmer months, I employ a semi-daily shopping routine, grabbing a few items for the …
As 2015 quietly passes into the record books and 2016 begins, we at the Food Institute are are settling back into the groove. In many ways, the first week of the year is a great …
