Hot topics. Top Stories.
We comb the media for interesting news affecting the food industry for our clients. Now you can read the top stories without digging for them, right here. Check out today’s trends, industry forecasts and more.
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Notable food and restaurant trends for 2012 reported by Baum & Whiteman include more mom-and-pop closings due to the economy, global fusion gone wild, and more. Read More Baum & Whiteman LLC, 2/15/2012 |
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Chefs predict the top ten menu trends for next year will be local, sustainable and health (especially children's). Read More National Restaurant Association's "What's Hot 2012", 2/15/2012 |
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As the lives of Americans continue to evolve, our view of traditional eating goes out the window and next year's trends reflect it. Read More Media Post News, Marketing Daily, 1/3/2012 |
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Supermarket News believes some of the top 2012 trends to be cost-conscious consumers trying to cut costs, community and connection through food, the boomer culture, farm to fork, more ethnic food, extreme home cooking and the rise of the male shopper. Read More Supermarket News, 12/5/2011 |
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Andrew Freeman & Company believes that 2012's leading trends are unusual twists on old favorites, or updated comfort foods. Read More Media Post News, Marketing Daily, 11/14/2011 |
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Technomic predicts the economy and social networking will continue to drive trends. Read More Fast Casual, 11/8/2011 |
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Succeeding in QSR requires hitting it right with Gen Y. A recent study shows that 20% of Gen Y consumers eat almost daily at a QSR. Read More CS News, 8/10/2011 |
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Younger adults are the most spontaneous about dinner decisions. Read More Supermarket News, 7/25/2011 |
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Hispanic food and brand preferences are unique and notable. Family dining options and Hispanic menu authenticity are important to them. Read More CS News, 7/21/2011 |
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Millennials have grown up with restaurants more integrated in their daily lives than previous generations. Read More NRN, 7/12/2011 |
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It’s here-the menu on a tablet. The initial investment makes an operator gulp, but what a marketing opportunity. Read More Fast Casual, 7/5/2011 |
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We all know how important the local trend is. Interestingly, “Made in the U.S.A.” is also an attribute among American shoppers, according to a new study. Read More Progressive Grocer, 6/22/2011 |
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Does Spending Less Mean Less Healthy? Many consumers believe eating healthy while dining out is more costly, says Mintel. And on top of that, some are more likely to choose the lowest-priced items over any other criteria. Read More Fast Casual, 6/20/2011 |
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The pyramid is out! Depicting similar sized portions of protein, vegetables, fruits and grains on a plate (with a side of dairy), the new eating guidelines focus on simplicity and customization and don’t even mention sugars, fats or oils. Read More Associated Press/Yahoo News, 6/2/2011 |
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Meatless Monday awareness has reached 50% among U.S. consumers, according to FGI. And research shows 18% actually follow Meatless Mondays. Read More HuffPost Food, 5/31/2011 |
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Restaurant Industry Rebound Continues At least the restaurant industry appears to be a bright spot as the economy remains stubbornly resistant to fast recovery. Read More April Restaurant Industry Outlook, National Restau, 5/31/2011 |
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Stereotypes portray females as the thrifty, savvy shoppers and men as impulse buyers. A recent Symphony IRI study dispels this myth, reporting 54% of men engage in money-saving behavior such as eating out less and more than one-third go to multiple stores to get the best price. Read More Supermarket News, 5/23/2011 |
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It’s always fun to see what’s out there, like far out there, with food trends. Here are five: Read More Budget Travel, 5/11/2011 |
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The numbers show it; local isn’t going away. Over half of restaurant patrons want to see more local items on the menu. Read More QSR Magazine, 5/5/2011 |
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Increasing restaurant frequency isn’t just about discounts and pricing these days. According to research from Q1 2011, 2/3 of patrons would eat out more if their suggestions were followed. Read More NACS Online, 4/25/2011 |
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Boomers’ golden years may be more challenging than they thought. Read More Adage.com, Ad Age Insights/AARP White paper, 4/4/2011 |
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A recent MarketPulse survey showed that consumers are not only planning ahead when they go grocery shopping, they are reverting back to their favorite brands over private label. Previous reports only recently have suggested that private label continues to flourish. Read More Drug Store News, 3/31/2011 |
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Higher Income, More Bargain-Hunting Research shows that households with income between $75,000 and $100,000 were more likely to use coupons, compare prices, stock up on discounted products and buy in bulk. Read More Supermarket News, 3/31/2011 |
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Consumers think more of non-burger restaurants, even in QSR. Subway beat out McDonald’s as "Quickservice Restaurant Brand of the Year." Read More MediaPost News Marketing Daily, 3/29/2011 |
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Technomic projects the restaurant industry will grow 3.7% in 2011. Although a modest gain, a big reversal from recent years. Read More Monkeydish.com, 3/28/2011 |
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According to research, attributes that most strongly affect the consumers’ experience have most increased in terms of purchase driver importance. In short, they’re looking for delight. Read More Progressivegrocer.com, 3/28/2011 |
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According to the 2010 Census Bureau, Hispanics now account for 1 in every 6 Americans. They hold about 10% of the buying power, and are predicted to grow increasingly affluent. Read More Csnews.com, 3/28/2011 |
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During the recession, value almost always meant bargains and discounts. Research presented in the Restaurant Leadership Conference suggests that now consumers increasingly define value as worth the money they spent versus their expectations. Read More Monkeydish.com, 3/28/2011 |
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Grocery retailers' store-brand products are expected to double their share of the global packaged food market over the next 15 years to make up half the market. Read More Reuters.com, 3/24/2011 |
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Restaurant Ad Spending Up in 2010 Although the restaurant industry was hurting in 2010, restaurants increased ad spending 2.3% over 2009. Restaurants have been fighting fiercely over the fewer customers out there with promotions, sponsorships, breakfast programs and more. Read More Burger Business, 3/23/2011 |
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Groupon, Chewpon, Living Social, Gilt Groupies and many more daily deal sites are creating overload. Even though the buzz is still rising, Groupon site traffic is down 13% and Gilt is down 22%. Read More CNNMoney.com, 3/23/2011 |
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Remember when paying by phone meant paying a bill over the phone instead of online or snail mail? Starbucks reports that 3 million people have paid via the phone app since January of this year. Read More Mashable.com, 3/23/2011 |
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Three stats converge: 1) Seafood demand is surging; 2) The U.S. imports 83% of its seafood; 3) the USDA has recommended doubling fish consumption. Read More AFP News, 3/22/2011 |
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America’s palate for heat has expanded into the bar. Since bartender’s new toy is heat, perhaps this is an opportunity for food manufacturers to get ahead of the curve. Read More Nation’s Restaurant News, 3/9/2011 |
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Wholesome. Fresh. Natural. Local. Premium. Those aren’t the words foodies are using to describe the latest offerings from a hot new chef, those are the food-marketing buzzwords used by fast food chains instead of phrases like low-fat, low-carb and low-calorie. Read More Advertising Age, 3/7/2011 |
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Chain Restaurants Not out of the Woods If the recession wasn’t enough, now restaurants have rising gas prices to worry about. Historically, chain sales decline when gas prices increase. Read More New York Times, 3/3/2011 |
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Shot glasses and cupcakes have been all the rage in desserts recently, but what’s next? Some say push-up desserts, ice cream cakes, grab and go, local, more savory ingredients and ethic spices. Read More Monkeydish.com, 3/1/2011 |
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Research shows that “kind,” “human” brands will thrive in a connected economy. Read More Trendwatching.com, 3/1/2011 |
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Healthy Breakfasts Help Rebound Breakfast sales are projected to grow over 4% this year according to Mintel, with locations offering healthy breakfast having an advantage. Read More MediaPost News, 3/1/2011 |
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Mexican, Chinese and Italian are more mainstream than exotic today. Thai, Japanese and Caribbean are fast becoming the new ethnic food. Read More QSRMagazine.com, 2/17/2011 |
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Consumers value simplicity and will pay more for it, even for brands. Read More MediaPost News, Marketing Daily, 2/17/2011 |
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Old and new compete for college food favorites. Old standbys with a healthy twist, dubbed “stealth health,” and world cuisine, especially Mediterranean, top the list of college food trends. Read More Food Management, News Briefs, 2/11/2011 |
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Food prices increased globally seven months in a row, hitting record levels worldwide. Read More New York Times, 2/3/2011 |
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Men and women desire different brands but it’s not exactly sports cars vs. make up. Women most desire Johnson & Johnson, and men…Crest! Read More Forbes, 2/2/2011 |
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Contrary to what we’ve been hearing, a recent report states that U.S. Read More USA Today, 2/1/2011 |
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Restaurant Forecast: Foodservice Sales to Reach Record High After three challenging years, pent-up demand for restaurants helps to position the industry for growth. Consumers are ready to get back to restaurants for socializing, great food and convenience. Read More The National Restaurant Association, 2/1/2011 |
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Less sodium and processed foods, more whole grains, fish and seafood are a few of the specific recommendations in the new USDA Dietary Guidelines. Read More MedPage Today, 1/31/2011 |
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Recent product launches reflect the latest consumer desire like “simplify my life,” “look younger, cheaper,” “fast scratch,” and “flexitarian.” Read More USA Today, 1/24/2011 |
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It's no surprise that 39% of restaurant patrons say they are more price-sensitive, 33% report eating at cheaper places, and 17% to 21% are cutting back on appetizers, desserts and alcohol. Read More Wall Street Journal, 1/23/2011 |
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One of the ways history defines a generation is by their drinks of choice. Mad Men-era cocktails include the Manhattan, Tom Collins and the classic martini. Read More Media Post News, Marketing Daily, 1/14/2011 |
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50 Restaurant Marketing Examples Chefs and operators frequently tell us the best ideas come from their peers. Read More Monkeydish.com, 1/11/2011 |
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Online Marketing Trends Forecast Content marketing, social media, mobile, online retail and more trends in the constantly changing online marketing arena. Read More Clickz.com, 1/10/2011 |
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Not only is fresh still important, consumers will increasingly choose their grocery stores based on their perceived fresh offerings. Shopping healthy and, surprisingly, having more personal energy are also important. Read More Progressive Grocer, 1/6/2011 |
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Restaurant industry: Up up down Although the Restaurant index rose to a 3-year high in October, suggesting that the toughest times are behind us, November sales and traffic declined, proving that recovery may be somewhat rocky. Read More Restaurant.org, press room, 1/3/2011 |
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While the latest U.S. employment levels have been discouraging, the restaurant industry is the exception. Read More USA Today, 1/1/2011 |
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Random acts of kindness by Generation G (generosity), urbanization, rampant discounting, consumer curating, eco-superiority and more complex trends are ahead this year. Read More trendwatching.com, 12/31/2010 |
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Recent studies confirm that younger consumers are relying more heavily on digital platforms for news, information and socializing. Read More Emarketer.com, 12/23/2010 |
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New Wage, Tip Rules Are on the Way for Restaurants The industry has been waiting for the guidelines for more than a year, hoping to clarify a system they believe has led to a flurry of lawsuits alleging unfair wage practices. Read More WSJ, 12/16/2010 |
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Lawsuit wants McDonald's to stop toying around A California woman is suing McDonald's claiming the fast-food giant uses toys to market directly to young children. Read More CNN.com, 12/15/2010 |
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Canada presents opportunities for U.S. chains Restaurants and manufacturers looking to grow may only have to look to our neighbors to the north. Estimates for 2010 indicate the foodservice industry in Canada has achieved a higher growth rate than that of the US. Read More NRN.com, 12/14/2010 |
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Operators keep online ordering options open In an effort to help boost sales, foodservice chains are partnering with Internet portals like GrubHub.com and Snapfinger.com. Read More NRN.com, 12/14/2010 |
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Forrester: Time Spent on Internet Is Equal to TV Younger audiences are spending more time surfing the internet than parked in front of their TVs. In fact, for the first time, U.S. Read More Adweek, 12/13/2010 |
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Gourmet burgers have been a relatively low cost indulgence during the downturn and have gained a solid foothold. Read More Burgerbusiness.com, 12/13/2010 |
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A look at what's on winter menus A look at what's on winter menus Chefs are giving seasonal cold-weather dishes a fresh twist to keep diners coming back for more—even in the cold. Read More NRN.com, 12/13/2010 |
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Pizzerias Thrive in Slumping Economy t seems that the gooey, chewy slices are remarkably resistant to recession. This year, the 65,000 pizza parlors in the U.S. are doing a booming business, with Americans ordering 5.5 billion pies every day. Read More ABC News, 12/8/2010 |
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The Rise of the Fast-Casual Salad Restaurant Fresh plus fast may be the winning equation for fast casual, especially when it comes to salad-based restaurants. Read More Toque Magazine, 12/6/2010 |
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Local, sustainable, nutritious trends for 2011 Local and sustainable are going to remain hot in 2011 as they hit the menu mainstream and American consumers become more educated and socially aware. Read More Technomic.com, Business Wire, 11/18/2010 |
