Food
Top 10: McDonald’s, Target, Peet’s Coffee made news
McDonald's Friendsgaming event, salmonella infections and a culinary experience from The Fresh Market made news this week.
Food
Restaurant and Foodservice
Q&A: Pastry chef talks about the techniques, inspiration behind her edible works of art
Amber Spiegel of SweetAmbs talks about the inspiration behind her beautiful bakes and how her education at The Culinary Institute of America helped turn her passion for pastry decoration into a career.
Consumer Insights
What’s trending for ice cream?
Ice cream consumers are gravitating toward offerings that focus on indulgence, unusual flavors and vegan ingredients.
Food
Top 10: Supply chain issues, Portillo’s IPO, Coca Cola’s vaccine incentive
This week’s most-read news was wide ranging, from stories about supply chain issues and vaccine mandates to rankings for food retailers and culinary tips.
Food Retail
Plant-based meat makers find ways to stand out in a growing field
Consumers are increasingly open to trying plant-based meat alternatives as more brands vie for their attention.
Food
Top 10: School lunch supplies, H-E-B and Megan Thee Stallion Hottie Sauce
Whole Foods Market's 2022 food trends forecast and Del Taco's labor shortage adjustments also drew in readers.
Consumer Insights
How restaurant operators can tap into the latest dessert trends
Desserts are eaten more than consumers admit, and they’re gravitating toward global, vegan options.
Consumer Insights
Why more Americans are becoming sober curious
Many Americans are laying off the alcohol and favoring more functional beverages.
Consumer Insights
How fancy food brands can feed consumers in the pandemic and beyond
Convenience, cravings, finances and health concerns are factors driving pandemic-era food choices.
Sponsored
Turkey: A versatile menu mainstay that can anchor K-12 menus amid uncertain times
Turkey’s mild flavor and wide appeal make it an extremely versatile protein for K-12 foodservice, meaning schools can put turkey on the menu no matter what other ingredients might be available.
Food Retail
Private brands up the ante to drive differentiation, retailer trust
What's the role of private brands in 2021?
Food Retail
Grocers embrace robotics, automated systems
Food retailers introduce consumers to new technology tools and improve established systems through robotics and automation.
Food
Fancy Food 24/7: How the pandemic has flavored food trends
Home cooking skills and preferences developed during the pandemic are on track to drive specialty food trends over the next year.
Food
Top 10: Crispitos shortage, grocery demand and the greening of Burger King
Restaurant Brands International aims to reach net-zero emissions in less than 30 years.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Ghost kitchens and virtual brands: pandemic necessity or the future of restaurants?
As consumers increasingly choose delivery and have more positive experiences with ghost kitchens, there is potential for these virtual brands to become a permanent part of the restaurant landscape.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Restaurants turn to tech tools to streamline vaccine requirements, verification
As more restaurants begin to require customers to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination for indoor dining, many are enlisting technology solutions to streamline the process of informing diners and verifying their vaccination status.
Restaurant and Foodservice
How the pandemic is reshaping restaurant real estate
The pandemic has created struggles, opportunities in the restaurant world.
Consumer Insights
Is your business ready for what’s next in sustainability?
What sustainable trends are coming to the forefront of mainstream consumers’ behaviors that will impact your business?
Food
Top 10: Kraft Heinz redefines work, Schnucks rolls out robots, Italian meatballs sans pasta
News from Schnuck Markets, Tyson Foods and the National Restaurant Association made waves this week.
Food
SmartSummit: Schools grapple with supply chain issues and other challenges as new year begins
Two school nutrition experts spoke about the lessons learned during the 2020-21 school year and the challenges that lie ahead during SmartBrief’s Aug. 24 SmartSummit, “What’s on the menu for the 2021-22 school year?"
Food
Top 10: Two tales about Trader Joe’s, General Mills’ animal-free cheese and a UFO-inspired recipe
Trader Joe's origin stories and employee perks made news this week.
CPG
Energy drinks attract people with better-for-you ingredients
While the energy drink category has historically been perceived as unhealthy, several new brands have emerged with more natural, healthier options.
Food Retail
The food retail workforce: Where the industry stands
Food retailers are taking on new efforts to combat workforce issues.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Looking at the future of restaurant technology
Advancements that make the experience faster, safer and easier are among the most important future components of any restaurant.
Food
Bring your brand story to life with custom content
Collaborate with SmartStudio to develop valuable content -- such as blog posts, webinars and more -- that strengthens your brand and drives engagement with SmartBrief audiences.
CPG
Brand relevance today: The role of “brand” in guiding shoppers’ choices
Brands are working harder than ever to gain attention and loyalty, regardless of whether they are national, name brands or a retailer’s own private brand.
Consumer Insights
Kids food, beverage brands focus on taste, nutrition
The market for foods and beverages designed for children is poised to experience significant growth, and businesses are appealing to kids and adults with healthy options that taste great.
Food
Top 10: PPP loans, COVID-19 vaccines, Wegmans takes Manhattan
The coronavirus pandemic again figured prominently into this week’s Top 10 most-clicked stories among SmartBrief’s food and beverage readers.
Restaurant and Foodservice
Restaurants embrace plant-based meat alternatives tailored to their brands
Shipments of plant-based meat alternatives to US restaurants soared in April, according to NPD Group data.
Restaurant and Foodservice
How the pandemic has reshaped the future of restaurants
Whether it’s new or expanded channels for off-premises that cater to lasting demand for convenient meal options or programs that serve the local community, here’s a look at some of the concepts and innovations that are defining the future of foodservice.
Food
Top 10: Campbell’s Soup’s new look, Walmart’s education investment and a new team at McDonald’s
Campbell's Soup cans got their first update in about 50 years.
Consumer Insights
Why consumers are still reaching for canned alcoholic drinks
The ready-to-drink hard seltzer and cocktail market appeals to consumers’ desire for convenience and portability.
Food
Keeping up with consumer preferences means understanding changing ideas on health
Health innovation is now about touting beneficial nutrients, functional attributes and production methods.
Food
COVID-19’s disparate toll on household routines and Americans’ paths to well-being
Despite heightened public attention to the pandemic’s negative effects on consumers’ health, a substantial portion of Americans actually feel their health and wellness improved during the pandemic.
Sponsored
Stoke student excitement for school meals with fun, familiar additions to the menu
Menus that feature foods and flavors that are familiar while still offering enough variety to keep students interested are sure to boost excitement around school meals.
Food
Top 10: Unilever’s workplace culture, Subway’s menu makeover
News from Unilever, Subway and J. Alexander's stood out to SmartBrief's food and beverage readers this week.
Restaurant and Foodservice
SmartBrief, MFHA unveil Foodservice and Hospitality Diversity and Cultural Intelligence Report
martBrief and MFHA have collaborated on an in-depth survey to create a report on the state of diversity in foodservice and hospitality.
Consumer Insights
Consumers’ appetite for pizza grows, but split between desire for healthy vs. indulgent
There were few bright spots for the restaurant industry in 2020, but pizza was one of them.
Food
Top 10: Mondelez’ in-store bakeries, BBQ Holdings’ $13.5M deal and P.F. Chang’s To Go
Mondelez' plans to grow its Give & Go in-store bakery business includes adding brands like Oreo to the lineup.
Food Retail
3 trends keeping shoppers in the frozen food aisle
RangeMe’s Brandon Leong looks at how the coronavirus pandemic spurred consumer interest in frozen foods -- and that demand is not slowing down. He details three top trends.
Consumer Insights
TikTok brings unexpected success for food, beverage industry
The social media platform has produced a new way for online creators to share food and beverage trends -- and brands -- that can become popular almost instantaneously.
Food
Top 10: Sweets & Snacks, post-pandemic trends and food prices
New sweet treats from CPG and candy brands caught readers' attention this week.