Halloween spending is rather strategic in 2025, with consumers craving novelty, better-for-you treats, and – above all else – value. Budget-conscious buying is especially reshaping the candy aisle. The post Halloween 2025: Consumers Crave Flavor Mashups, Value appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Costco has emerged as a clear winner of today's difficult macroeconomic environment, enjoying 7.3% same-store sales growth over the year. The club store's aggressive strategy to expand to 20 more markets indicate it will only get bigger. The post Investors Can’t Get Much More Impressed With Costco appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Breakfast is losing its sizzle for many restaurants, as diners skip morning meals amid shifting habits. But with smart value strategies, restaurant brands still have a shot at reclaiming the morning crowd. The post Why American Diners are Skipping Breakfast appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
This fall, the Gen Z food trends are smoky, global, and TikTok-approved, according to Chartwells’ 2025 campus dining forecast. From ube brunch items to Monster Matcha, flavor innovations are meeting students where they scroll. The post The Top 5 Gen Z Food Trends This Fall, According to Chartwells appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Smithfield’s IPO stumbled, but its pivot to packaged meats is winning over Wall Street – slowly. Despite strong returns, investors remain wary of ownership optics, GLP-1 headwinds, and valuation lag. The post Smithfield Is Still Proving Itself to Investors appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Plant-based products often bear the brunt of the blame for the health issues associated with ultra-processed foods (UPFs), but experts note that meat and dairy UPFs may pose greater risks. With competing definitions and a new non-UPF verification program in the works, consumer education remains key in understanding what really makes a food “ultra-processed.” The post Ultra-Processed Update: MAHA Definitions, Non-UPF Verification appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Congress brewed up the “No Coffee Tax Act” to slash tariffs and tame surging bean prices. But with climate shocks and record demand, the fix may need more than a legislative shot. The post Can Congress Fix Runaway Coffee Inflation? appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
As budget-conscious diners trade down, QSRs face a traffic slump while casual-dining chains surge with value bundles. The winners? Brands that nail the value equation in a fiercely discerning dining economy. The post Fast-Food Chains Feeling Pain in ‘Two-Tier Economy’ appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
As consumers continue to take their health and wellness goals seriously, GLP-1 drug usage will continue to grow. With as much as 20% of U.S. adults taking or considering the medication, the food and beverage industry must adapt to these consumer need states. The post GLP-1 Weight-Loss Drugs Ride Health, Wellness Wave appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
Menu Matters vice president Mike Kostyo joins Chris Campbell to discuss the push and pull between nostalgia and novelty in the food industry. The post Food for Thought Leadership: Nostalgia vs. Novelty with Mike Kostyo appeared first on The Food Institute.| The Food Institute
For every 10% increase in calories from ultra-processed plant-based foods, there was a 5% increased risk of heart disease.| The Food Institute
With waning demand and a cautious revenue outlook, Beyond Meat faces challenges in regaining trust and competing in the plant-based sector.| The Food Institute
Beyond Meat is likely headed for bankruptcy by 2027 due to its $1 billion owed in convertible bonds, but its stock has retained some value.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on the soaring price of cocoa ahead of Halloween.| The Food Institute
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on another notable restaurant bankruptcy, and Filipino cuisine's surging popularity.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on PepsiCo's latest noteworthy industry acquisition.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on restaurant operators' outlook on labor for 2025.| The Food Institute
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on Tyson Foods' optimism for 2025, and Amazon's newest delivery innovation.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on consumers' growing demand for not just value, but also luxury offerings.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on Outback Steakhouse's latest efforts to win back cash-strapped consumers.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast provides an update of Walmart's drone delivery plans, and more.| The Food Institute
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on Chili's eye-opening quarterly earnings report.| The Food Institute
The latest FI news podcast touches on the La Niña weather pattern that's likely to form later this year and how it could impact ag.| The Food Institute
The notion of using AI in drive-thrus is still a good idea – it just doesn’t work as advertised yet. Perhaps version 2.0 can fix that.| The Food Institute