1+ day, 12+ hour ago  (491+ words) Virginia Lee | May 24, 2026 CHICAGO " At the 2026 National Restaurant Association Show, foodservice innovation reflected an industry balancing multiple consumer demands at once: wellness and indulgence, affordability and quality, convenience and customization. Exhibitors showcased how operators are adapting to changing consumer behavior…...

3+ day, 5+ hour ago  (571+ words) Harshita Bhardwaj | May 22, 2026 For the overall foodservice industry, the warning signs are difficult to ignore. Consumer sentiment has dropped below even pandemic-era readings, while 35% of consumers now say they spend more than they take in every month. Two-thirds of consumers…...

4+ day, 5+ hour ago  (469+ words) Why do AI drive-thrus feel unsettling? QSRs see gains in speed and accuracy, but consumers remain wary of voice AI....

3+ day, 8+ hour ago  (519+ words) Marcy Kreiter | May 22, 2026 Retailers are taking the wrong approach when it comes to targeting at-home occasions, leaving $100 million in annual sales on the table, a Circana survey indicates. Circana surveyed 25, 000 consumers across demographics and found CPG manufacturers need to understand…...

5+ day, 5+ hour ago  (657+ words) Marcy Kreiter | May 20, 2026 Companies need to rethink their strategies and stop taking consumers for fools if they want to navigate the increasingly challenging landscape in grocery aisles, said Bob Vergidis, chief vision officer at Point-of-Sale Cloud. Simply put, most consumers…...

1+ week, 8+ hour ago  (910+ words) Vince Martin | May 18, 2026 When inflation spiked in 2022, companies across the food industry took advantage. Major packaged food companies saw pricing contribute as much as 15 percentage points to revenue growth. In quick-service restaurants, the hikes weren't quite as steep " but they…...

1+ week, 3+ day ago  (547+ words) Marcy Kreiter | May 15, 2026 "Consumers are increasingly seeking solutions that help them not only live longer but also enjoy healthier lives while maintaining their strength and vitality," Serena Aboutboul, head of Nestl's nutrition business, said in a press release unveiling Nestl…...

1+ week, 5+ day ago  (587+ words) George Hajjar | May 13, 2026 "Consumer behavior has shifted toward greater scrutiny of value rather than a decline in demand for dining out," Erica Conte, brand director of The Food Group, told FI in a recent report evaluating the state of foodservice…...

3+ week, 6+ day ago  (20+ words) In the latest FI Fast Break news podcast, we discuss many consumers' slow adoption and acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI)....

1+ mon, 1+ week ago  (23+ words) In this week's industry news in 2 minutes, we examine 7-Eleven's plans to close 600-plus stores in North America this year....