Fast Casual

Fast casual restaurants offer a higher quality of food than a typical fast-food (quick serve or QSR) restaurant and are increasingly popular for time-challenged consumers. It is defined by concepts like Chipotle, Panera Bread, Qdoba and Five Guys. Food service operators and formulators must understand trends in fast casual, as well as how to meet consumers’ demands for delicious, healthy, on-the-go cuisine.

Consumers Cut Fine Dining Spending, Not Grocery Budgets

New market data from Empathica Consumer Insights Panel reveals U.S. consumers are concerned about the state of the economy and 61% plan to cut expenses across nearly every discretionary spending category. ...More
May 22, 2012
Posted in News, Bakery / Cereal, Sauces / Gravies / Soup
Freshly Carved Inspiration

Two emerging trends related to meat are progressively capturing more consumer attention: sustainability and humane practices related to raising animals, and the reemergence of high-culinary, artisan butchery. ...More
May 22, 2012
Posted in Articles
Importing Authentic Chinese Flavors

As the Asian population in America continues to grow—along with the appetite in general for authentic and fusion Asian foods in general—the range of Chinese cuisine in this country will continue to expand. ...More
May 18, 2012
Posted in Articles, Dressing / Marinades, Flavor, Sauces / Gravies / Soup
Applebee's, Chick-fil-A, Kraft Foods Join Kids LiveWell Initiative

The National Restaurant Association announced Applebee's and Chick-fil-A joined Kids LiveWell program that helps parents and kids make more healthful menu selections when eating out. Since the initiative launched in July 2011, participation has quadrupled to 96 restaurant ...More
May 7, 2012
Posted in News
Cola Wars Heat Up: Applebee’s, IHOP Dump Coca-Cola For PepsiCo

PepsiCo, Inc., won the latest battle of the ongoing cola wars by signing a 10-year deal with DineEquity, Inc., to be the exclusive non-alcoholic beverage provider for its more than 1,800 Applebee's and 1,500 IHOP restaurants throughout the United States. The deal will phase ...More
May 2, 2012
Posted in Blog
P.F. Chang’s Set to Go Private After $1.1 Billion Deal

P.F. Chang's China Bistro, Inc., announced it is being acquired by the private investment firm Centerbridge Partners L.P. for $1.1 billion. The transaction, which is expected to close no later than the end of third quarter 2012, will result in P.F. Chang's transitioning to ...More
May 2, 2012
Posted in News
Latin Sandwiches on the Rise

U.S. culinary culture is hungry for more Latin American sandwiches like Brazil’s Bauru, the Puerto Rican–inspired jibarito, and Mexico’s cemita poblana and myriad torta iterations. ...More
April 24, 2012
Posted in Articles, Bakery / Cereal, Dressing / Marinades, Flavor, Sauces / Gravies / Soup
41% of Americans Eat Pizza Once a Week

Americans love their pizza—so much so that 41% of consumers report eating the tasty pie at least once a week, compared to just 26% two years ago, according to new market data from Technomic. ...More
April 16, 2012
Posted in News
Top 500 U.S. Chains Sales Rebound 3.4% in 2011

Renewed consumer spending helped improve performance for the 500 largest U.S. restaurant chains that recorded an estimated $242 billion in sales last year, up more than $8 billion over 2010, according to the Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report (2011). ...More
March 20, 2012
Posted in News
Tracking Trends From Restaurants to Retail

Restaurant-style foods and speed-scratch ingredients at the supermarket find a willing audience. ...More
February 21, 2012
Posted in Articles, Flavor, Sauces / Gravies / Soup