The latest data from Circana reveals what the people want in ready-to-drink (RTD) alcohol and spirits, and the people have spoken: they want variety. You know what they say: variety is the spice of life and also possibly the secret to increased spring and summer sales. Gen Z consumers aged 21 and up are driving innovation in RTD flavor, format, and packaging, and they’re looking for variety across all beverage types. Gen Z is also driving non-alcoholic sales in much the same way, stressing innovation inspiration in energy drinks, fruit flavors, and many added functional benefits. Premium premi ..read more

Earlier this year, Jim Metevier ascended to the CEO role with Mountain Mike’s Pizza. Now, he’s determined to help the chain continue its climb. “We have to use mountain analogies, like ‘reaching for the summit,’ you know?” Metevier said with a laugh during an interview with The Food Institute. The pizza category in America is, to put it bluntly, bloated. Top dog Domino’s generated nearly $4.5 billion worldwide last year, per Statista. Pizza Hut has over 17,000 locations. Even relative newcomers to the category, like the MOD Pizza chain, have well over 500 locations. And that’s to say nothing o ..read more

In this week’s food industry news in 2 minutes, we discuss bird flu virus particles found in pasteurized milk. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – April 24, 2024 The FI Fast Break podcast provides the food industry with a quick-hitting update of impactful news. The post FI Fast Break audio news: April 24, 2024 appeared first on The Food Institute ..read more

Those lazy, hazy days of summer are expected to be hotter than ever this year, according to the Farmers’ Almanac, but then again, the publication has been right only slightly better than half the time since it was first issued in 1818. The forecast comes on the heels of the hottest year on record, and February 2024 was the hottest February since 1940. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s spring outlook forecast above-average temperatures through June and the summer outlook continues that trend. “Summer is coming early this year, and it may bring the hottest temperatures in re ..read more

Foxtrot and Dom’s Kitchen & Market have closed their doors effective immediately, according to an April 23 statement released by Foxtrot on its social media accounts. The closure will affect 33 Foxtrot locations and 2 Dom’s Kitchen & Market locations across the Chicago, Austin, Dallas and Washington D.C. areas. The retail company stated that it “has explored many avenues to continue the business but found no viable option. “This decision has not been made lightly,” the statement continued. “…It has been our highest honor to elevate the everyday and create a remarkable shopping experien ..read more

Click the play button above to listen to the episode. How does one jump from aerospace engineering into plant-based chicken nugget production? That’s exactly the leap that Christie Lagally, CEO & Founder of Rebellyous Foods, took in search of producing a healthier chicken nugget. Learn more about her company’s focus on animal welfare, environmental sustainability, and human health in this episode of The Food Institute Podcast. Click Below to Subscribe More About: Christie Lagally: Christie Lagally is the founder and CEO of Rebellyous Foods, a food production technology company working t ..read more

CHICAGO – Plant-based milk brands largely stole the spotlight at the recent Specialty Coffee Expo, organized by the Specialty Coffee Association. It’s no longer just vegan and vegetarian coffee drinkers who seek plant-based options, with 44% household penetration for plant-based milks in the U.S., according to 2023 National Consumer Panel (powered by Circana) data. Plant-based options are growing in coffee shops for health and sustainability reasons. Dairy alternatives are benefitting from a growing awareness that a large proportion of the U.S. population suffers from lactose intolerance – abo ..read more

Join us on this episode of FI Spotlight as we delve into the best practices of omnichannel strategy with special guest John Carroll, President of Digital Commerce + Advanced Analytics at Acosta Group. Discover top-line insights into the impact and benefits of omnichannel approaches for retailers, CPG makers, and manufacturers. Learn how these strategies enhance retail media networks, the key advantages for retailers, and effective collaboration techniques in tune with consumer trends. Plus, don’t miss the essential insights that manufacturers and retailers need to share for a successful par ..read more

Competition is heating up as the produce department evolves into a more experiential branded space. More producers are dressing up their fruits and veggies to woo online shoppers, tout attributes, and leverage storytelling. “Packaging provides a canvas for brands to relay their messages,” said Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics. “Bulk displays have shrunk and more of the produce is packaged. The share of fixed-weight produce has increased from 53% of produce sales in 2018 to 62% last year.” Per Circana, volume sales for branded produce also reflect noteworthy pockets of growth. T ..read more

Yelp has released its first-ever list of the 50 fastest growing retail brands in the U.S. The review site compiled its report by using a blended metric that includes net new openings, searches on its platform from 2022 to 2023, and consumer interest. Of the 50 fastest-growing chains, 35 were restaurant brands. Furthermore, chains owned by publicly traded restaurant companies account for half of the top ten. Notably, the data demonstrates momentum for “challenger” food, restaurant, and retail brands that are quickly becoming the next class of household favorites. Challenger brands—defined as b ..read more