Focus Archive

Economic Strain: Food Bill Gets Unruly

Despite wage gains, food inflation continues to outpace earnings, leaving consumers increasingly anxious about grocery costs. Meanwhile, new tariffs threaten to disrupt the food industry, with stakeholders bracing for volatile pricing and potential shifts in shopper loyalty.

Roark Capital’s Aggressive Buyout Strategy May Not Be Working

Roark Capital has built a restaurant empire rivaling McDonald’s in system-wide sales, yet questions linger over its investment strategy. With limited financial transparency and stalled IPOs, has Roark’s aggressive approach truly paid off for investors?

Experts Say Amazon Humanoid Workers Just Hype – For Now

Amazon is reportedly developing humanoid robots to streamline delivery operations, testing them in a “humanoid park” obstacle course. Experts remain skeptical, citing previous automation failures and questioning whether the hype will ever translate into real-world efficiency.

Meat Mania: Meat Makes Comeback With Focus on Protein

Meat is reclaiming its spot on consumers’ plates as the benefits of protein-heavy diets are noted on social media. With fresh meat sales projected to surpass $137 billion this year, the industry is sizzling.

Brands Brace for Shrinkflation as Steel, Aluminum Levies Double

Steel and aluminum tariffs have risen significantly, and grocery prices may soon follow suit. From canned goods to premium imports, food brands face tough choices – shrinkflation, price hikes, or packaging pivots – to absorb escalating costs.

Steaks Are High: GLP-1 Drugs Reshape Beef Demand

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic are reshaping consumer appetites, with nearly half of users eating less beef. As this trend accelerates, meat producers face a challenge, while plant-based brands are presented with an opportunity.

Tiny Tastemakers: Gen Alpha Dubbed ‘The Foodie Generation’

Gen Alpha’s distinct food and beverage preferences, coupled with its astonishing $5.5 trillion global market share by 2029, shape it up to drive a sustained impact on the food and beverage industry. Learn about why some are calling them “the foodie generation.”

Father’s Day Spending to Reach Record-breaking $24 Billion

With Father’s Day spending projected to hit new heights, consumers are looking past the uncertain state of the economy to celebrate with their loved ones. Analysis of industry reports suggests that food and beverage industry experiences will take center stage during the holiday.

BMO 2025: Plant-Based Folds into Macro Environment

At the recent 2025 BMO Farm to Market Conference, consumer interest in personal wellness created plant-based tailwinds. Kroger, SunOpta, and Remedy Organics were among businesses weighing in on the future of the sector.

Healthy Snacking with Diabetes

The growing demand for diabetes-friendly snacks presents a lucrative opportunity for the food industry to merge taste with nutritional balance. With consumers increasingly seeking blood sugar-friendly options, a new movement related to snacking has taken root.

Winner, Loser Disparity Widens Among Casual Dining Eateries

Casual-dining stocks have significantly outperformed the market over the past three years, with Brinker International especially posting eye-opening returns, while chains such as Applebee’s continue to struggle. Clearly, consumers are rewarding brands that offer differentiated experiences.

U.S. Brands in Canada: A Trade War is On, But the Market’s Not Closed

Despite escalating trade tensions and a growing Canadian consumer boycott of American products, U.S. brands still have opportunities in Canada, particularly in resilient categories like soft drinks. A poll by Leo & Dragon revealed that Millennials and Gen Z consumers remain open to purchasing American goods.

Spread the Pain: Walmart, Competitors Consider Global Price Hikes

Amid the latest round of tariffs, global retailers like Walmart are weighing controversial price hikes beyond the U.S., a move that could shake consumer trust. Experts warn that spreading costs globally may backfire, leading to unintended economic fallout.

Going Places: Grab-and-Go Products Evolve

Grab-and-go food has undergone a transformation, as consumers demand options that rival restaurant fare – leading to explosive growth in deli-prepared meals and bakery products.

Diageo Considers American Brand-Selling Strategy

Diageo, the spirits giant, is shifting its long-standing strategy by selectively selling off brands. The industry is watching closely to see whether this pivot will strengthen Diageo’s future or mirror the struggles of American food conglomerates.

Global Plant-Based Sales Reach $28.6 Billion

In 2024, global plant-based retail sales reached $28.6 billion thanks to accelerated interest in meat analogs in Europe and the Asia-Pacific regions. Domestically, although sales stagnated in 2024, there are many indicators that it will soon rebound.

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Korean Cuisine Takes Center Stage at NRA Show

Fusion-driven Korean entrees, cleaner frying oils, and multi-textured beverages were a few underrated trends on display at the recent NRA Show. From indulgent Gochujang Fried Chicken Sliders to Noli Fruit Oil’s eco-conscious frying solution and TikTok-worthy Fiery Dill Pickle Lemonade, brands tapped into recent trends.

The Diet of the Future: Seaweed, Kimchi, Ancient Grains

By 2050, the average consumer’s diet will look much different than today, shaped by AI, sustainability, and ethically sourced ingredients. Experts predict that ancient grains, fermented foods, and berries will land on consumers’ plates far more frequently in the future.

Target Has Fallen Behind Retail Rivals – Again

Target has struggled to define a unique place in its market, watching rivals like Walmart and Costco capitalize on growth opportunities while its own stock and sales falter. Target’s leadership now faces a critical moment to convince investors that it can once again turn challenges into triumphs.

5 Major Trends on Display at NRA 2025

The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago showcased groundbreaking foodservice innovations, from globally inspired comfort foods to cutting-edge pizza solutions. Business leaders also displayed the latest AI-driven data analytics, revealing a dynamic future in which tech drives growth in the industry.

The ‘Return to Real’ Trend: Why ‘Simple’ is the New Superfood

The “Return to Real” trend signals a growing consumer shift toward authenticity–favoring simple, transparent ingredients and tangible, in-person experiences over hyper-enhanced, tech-driven products. For food industry leaders, this presents a chance to embrace nostalgia, highlight natural ingredients, and rethink marketing strategies to align with consumers’ craving for genuine connection.

The State of Cultivated Meat: Nebraska, Indiana Approve Bans

On May 6, the state of Ind. approved a two-year ban of both the sale and manufacture of lab-grown meat products, and on May 14, a bill banning the distribution and sale of cultivated meat products in Neb. was signed into law. These measures align with similar laws passed in other states in recent years.

Scaling Smarter: Land O’Frost’s Automation Blueprint for the Future of Food Manufacturing

Deli meat manufacturer Land O’Frost partnered with Formic to implement Full Service Automation, deploying five gantry-style palletizing systems. The move allowed the manufacturer to overcome labor shortages, streamline product changeovers, and achieve operational savings without capital investment, freeing up valuable resources for revenue-generating projects.

Meet New Masculinity: Gen Z Men Fuel Beef Renaissance

Gen Z men are increasingly embracing meat consumption as part of a shift toward hyper-masculinity, fueled by online influencers and rebranded narratives that position beef as essential for peak physical performance. The trend presents a key opportunity for the food industry.

Forget Inflation and Tariffs. Summer is Party Time!

Despite economic uncertainty, consumers appear determined to celebrate this summer, adapting their spending by embracing private-label brands, and potlucks while seeking affordable luxuries like indulgent snacks. Shoppers seek indulgence with a focus on emotional value.

The Future of Fast Food: How Top QSRs Are Using AI Tech to Get Ahead

QSRs are revolutionizing the dining experience by integrating AI, mobile ordering, and kiosks, but success depends on balancing efficiency with human connection. Intouch Insight’s 2025 Emerging Experiences study highlights how industry leaders are using innovative tech to streamline operations.