Trends: Food and Beverage

Articles on food and beverage trends.

  1. Shopper & Customer
  Throughout the history of the restaurant industry, companies that prioritize franchisee satisfaction over consumer demand have often struggled according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. A successful restaurant chain must balance franchisee profitability with customer satisfaction, focusing on product quality, pricing, and service rather than expensive remodels that offer […]
  1. Department & Category
  RaceTrac Inc. continues to expand its foodservice menu, but rather than leveraging its platform to propel the industry forward with fresh, consumer-relevant food trends, the retailer remains anchored in legacy offerings that reflect consumer familiarity according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The latest example? Taco Pizza—a fusion of […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Digital hand-held technology, specifically smartphones, has driven a decline in traditional network TV viewing, reshaping how and where consumers eat, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer behavior evolves, the perceived value of a product or brand can shift. The team at Foodservice Solutions® understands that consumers are […]
  1. Department & Category
  The line between restaurants and food retailers is growing ever thinner. The battle for America’s food dollars has intensified as consumers embrace fresh, prepared, ready-2-eat (RTE) and heat-n-eat (HNE) options available across a rapidly expanding spectrum of retail channels. Convenience stores, chain drug stores, grocery stores, club stores, mass merchandisers, vending machines, and even […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
President Donald Trump’s tariffs add new complications for US grocery shoppers, who are already tired of high food and drink prices. If President Trump’s proposals for tariffs become a reality, food and drink companies as well as retailers will need to justify any price increases, while maintaining an agile approach to their supply chains as […]
  1. Department & Category
  For football fans feeling sidelined because their favorite teams didn’t make it to the Big Game, 7-Eleven Inc. is serving up some consolation—a free pizza to bring smiles to disappointed fans. The convenience store powerhouse is delivering this delicious gesture through its 7NOW Delivery app, where customers making their first order can enjoy a […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  In periods of economic uncertainty, consumers traditionally tighten their belts, seeking affordable solutions for everyday needs according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Dollar General, long recognized as a discount retail powerhouse, is emerging as a key player in the grocery and food retailing sector—a remarkable evolution that has […]
  1. Channel: Mass
  PepsiCo Inc. is not just a food and beverage powerhouse; it is a leader in the grocerant niche, driving convenience, innovation, and consumer engagement. With a legacy of transforming snacking and beverage categories to meet evolving customer needs, PepsiCo has mastered bundling strategies that align with Gen Z and Millennials’ preferences for mix-and-match meals, […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  In today’s dynamic food landscape, grocery stores and supermarkets are venturing boldly into the restaurant space, attempting to compete with quick-service and sit-down dining establishments. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® was the first to predict that this venture would present challenges, as these grocery-restaurant hybrids frequently misunderstand the core […]
  1. Merchandising
  Portability, packaging, and profits have a new champion in convenience store food innovation: Kwik Trip. Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson declares, “Success leaves clues, and Kwik Trip’s commitment to expanding fresh fast-food portability with innovative packaging empowers consumer choice while driving the grocerant niche through mix-and-match meal component bundling.” Fresh Food Discovery Millennials […]
  1. Data & Insights
  The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, based in Tacoma, WA identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Eyewear is no longer a mere necessity; it’s an indispensable statement of style. Over the years, glasses and sunglasses have transformed from purely functional accessories into bold declarations of personality and fashion. With 2025 fast approaching, new trends are already shaping the way we think about eyewear. Whether you’re a fan of bold frames or […]
  1. Department: Food
  Kids Eat Free promotions have long been a cornerstone for family-oriented restaurants like IHOP and Denny’s, offering a compelling traffic-driving incentive for parents. However, as guest traffic declines across restaurant categories, this once-exclusive restaurant strategy is now being adopted by non-traditional fresh food retailers, convenience stores (C-stores), and even grocery store delis. Steven Johnson […]
  1. Data & Insights
Obesity is arguably the defining health issue of the 21st Century. World Health Organisation data shows that 43% of over-18s are overweight, and 16% are obese. In the US, the adult obesity rate is far higher than the global average, at 43%, with an incalculable impact on the nation’s health, quality of life, and economic […]
  1. Department: Food
  In today’s dynamic food landscape, technology is reshaping the pathways of fresh food distribution. Mobile marketing and virtual retailing are challenging the traditional dominance of brick-and-mortar foodservice retailers as consumer expectations evolve around convenience, accessibility, and personalization according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. This shift is most evident in […]
  1. Department & Category
  Handheld foods—such as burgers, pizza slices, and sandwiches—have become increasingly popular, especially among single-person and two-person households according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. This trend is evident not only in the rise of takeout and delivery services but also in the prevalence of handheld options in sit-down restaurants. […]
  1. Media & Marketing
  As the Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments about the potential U.S. ban on TikTok, the food retail and restaurant industries face critical questions about their future advertising strategies. TikTok has proven itself as a dominant force in the digital marketing ecosystem, delivering unparalleled engagement and influencing consumer behavior according to Steven Johnson Grocerant […]
  1. Channel: Dollar/Value
  Amazon has built its empire on delivering items quickly and at low prices, revolutionizing e-commerce along the way. However, that formula has stumbled in the competitive and customer-sensitive grocery segment according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Johnson believes that Amazon Fresh, instead of using its tech-driven efficiency to […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  As 2025 approaches, the evolving food landscape presents unparalleled opportunities for all food retailers offering grocerant meal components or meals.  All food retailers include Convenience Stores, grocery service deli’s, restaurants, dollar stores think of it as any retailer has the ability to evolve into a hybrid concept blending grocery and restaurant-style dining. Political uncertainty, […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  One thing is very clear to start the New Year according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, Restaurants, convenience stores, and service delis can unlock consumer engagement by tapping into the trends highlighted in Grubhub‘s annual “2024 Delivered Report.” This report offers a treasure trove of insights into consumer […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  In the last decade, the foodservice and commercial real estate industries have increasingly overlapped, especially as restaurant chains falter under the weight of declining consumer relevance, rising operating costs, and outdated models, according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The key question facing investors today isn’t whether the struggling […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  The merger drama between Kroger and Albertsons has dominated headlines in the food retail world, raising a critical question: who will emerge victorious? According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, by examining food industry trends, competitive missteps, and each chain’s strategic pivots, it becomes clear that Albertsons, albeit cautiously, […]
  1. Stores & Formats
  Chi-Chi’s, once a celebrated pioneer in Tex-Mex cuisine within the United States, retains an enduring allure despite the closure of its U.S. restaurants in 2004. Today, the brand survives through a robust retail presence, primarily focused on salsa, tortillas, and related products. With consumers increasingly craving bold flavors and convenient meal solutions, Chi-Chi’s stands […]
  1. Data & Insights
  Over the last five years according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that Jack in the Box has seen mounting challenges as it struggles to remain relevant in a fiercely competitive quick-service restaurant (QSR) market. Once a prominent force in fast food, the brand now finds itself outpaced […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Chain restaurants are at the crossroads of menu evolution according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, where nostalgia meets novelty and reinvention drives relevance. With a focus on catering to Gen Z, Millennials, and Baby Boomers, restaurants face the challenge of balancing the revival of old favorites, the introduction […]
  1. Department & Category
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) event serves as a bellwether for consumer packaged goods (CPG) innovation. This year, PepsiCo didn’t just show up—they set the tone, blending flavor innovation, with bold ambitions and an unwavering commitment to people, planet, and their partners. Through my years of helping retail and CPG companies reimagine what’s […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Pizza Hut’s latest marketing effort, introducing a Tomato Wine in partnership with Kansas-based Irvine’s Just Beyond Paradise Winery, raises significant questions about the relevance of its marketing strategy in a food industry driven by consumer preferences, mix-and-match meal bundling, and evolving tastes, according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  The U.S. food industry is witnessing a dynamic shift as Hispanic flavors gain traction, fueled by the rapidly growing Hispanic demographic and its cultural influence according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, who stated, ‘do not over-look the importance of the Hispanic consumer as you look a customer ahead’. […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  As Thanksgiving approaches, many people imagine gathering around a table filled with classic dishes, from roasted turkey to creamy mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce. But while the tradition is cherished, the reality of hosting Thanksgiving can be overwhelming, with endless hours of cooking, rising grocery bills, and the challenges of balancing varied taste preferences […]

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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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