#FairKitchens Helps "ELEVATE" Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Restaurant & Foodservice Industry

The Multicultural Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance (MFHA) announced today that #FairKitchens, a campaign created by Unilever Food Solutions, has contributed $50,000 to support MFHA's new DEI Initiative ELEVATE – a Menu for Change. ELEVATE provides restaurant, foodservice and hospitality operators with guidance on how to develop a best-in-class culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion.

ELEVATE was launched this summer with a landmark DEI survey conducted by MFHA, the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF), and Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration...

MGP Offers New Proterra® Plant-Based Crumbles for Foodservice Industry

MGP Ingredients, Inc., announces the launch of Proterra® Crumbles, a line of chef-seasoned plant-based protein crumbles developed for foodservice operations. Ready to serve in just minutes, Proterra pea protein crumbles can help cafeterias meet growing consumer demand for plant-based foods that are both flavorful and satisfying.

Proterra's global-inspired flavors –Zesty Chimichurri and Savory Barbacoa, with more flavors under development – are the basis for versatile dishes that can be served throughout the day.

The new product line is MGP's first for the foodservice channel...

Planterra Foods, Expands National Foodservice Presence with Two New Commercial Operators

OZO Foods, the first brand from innovative, plant-based foods company Planterra Foods, is expanding its national presence with its first two partnerships in commercial foodservice. Customers can now enjoy OZO Foods Plant-Based Bacon on sandwiches served at Gregory's Coffee and Veggie Grill locations across the United States.

Since 2020, OZO Foods has been delivering on the True Bite™ Experience, which is the promise to delight the senses with the look, smell, taste, and texture of the food consumers know and love. OZO Foods combines cutting-edge...

Food Retailers Missing Out on Revenue Opportunities, New Study Reveals

OSF Digital releases the 2022 Grocery Omnichannel Retail Index with insights for food retailers and grocers to accelerate growth and increase loyalty

OSF Digital, an award-winning provider of digital transformation services to companies worldwide, announced the release of the 2022 Grocery Omnichannel Retail Index (ORI) findings in partnership with FMI, the Food Industry Association, and NRF, the National Retail Federation. The 2022 Grocery ORI reveals progress in omnichannel best practices; however, the majority of food retailers are still behind in developing integrated, seamless, and personalized experiences across all channels...

Foodservice Update Q3 2022: Revisiting Growth Perspectives

The writing is on the wall: economic growth is in jeopardy due to macroeconomic challenges around the world. From severely high natural gas prices in Europe, which affect everything from fertilizer prices to milk powders, to a housing crisis, and continued partial lockdowns in China. Coupled with rising interest rates, softening equity markets, and negative real wage growth, consumer confidence surveys unsurprisingly outline a worsening outlook for demand. It is likely that the US and Europe will both be entering a recession over the next 12 months.

Report summary

In Europe and the...

Impact of a Recession on Foodservice

Introduction

Senior executives from leading financial institutions have been predicting that an extended economic downturn is becoming more likely by the day. But despite declining GDP and still-surging inflation, many executives have been hesitant to use the term recession when describing the prospects for the second half of 2022. This hesitancy is largely due to the fact that—despite all of the warning signs—there are also indicators such as consumer spending and low unemployment that defy historical conditions for a recession. So, where does that leave foodservice? How do we interpret the...

Technomic Launches Location Targeting, tracking 1M+ Foodservice Locations

Today, Technomic released Location Targeting, the newest feature of Ignite Company. Location Targeting captures more than 1 million foodservice locations and allows operators and suppliers to gain a deeper understanding of small chains and independents at the address level. This feature allows clients to explore view foodservice location characteristics, amenities and annual sales volume, all overlayed with Technomic's standardized operator classification system.

Technomic experts collect location-level insights through a variety of sources, including operator websites, business directories and consumer review sites. Locations are then mapped through Ignite search criteria and...

IFMA Releases 2023 Foodservice Industry Forecast at Marketing & Sales Conference

The International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) released its 2023 Foodservice Industry and Segment Projections today at its annual Marketing & Sales Conference. The forecast, which is hosted on the IFMA Scope® platform, projects that operator spend in the foodservice industry will decline by 0.1 percent, considered flat on a real basis in 2023, compared to 2022. The forecast models were created in conjunction with Datassential, a leading foodservice research firm, and validated by operators from the Foodservice Leadership Councils, who act as advisors to IFMA and its Board of Directors...

New Acosta Report Explores the Rising Impact of Inflation on Consumer Dining Habits

Acosta, a global integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, today released its sixth edition of The Why? Behind the Dine, a research report providing foodservice-specific insight bolstered by the expertise of its CORE Foodservice division.

Acosta's findings show that while most consumers (54%) are dining out less often due to inflation, about one-third are choosing to trade down rather than trade out, opting for less expensive restaurant and meal options to counter rising prices...

Toast and US Foods Renew Strategic Partnership to Help Restaurants Streamline Operations and Thrive

Toast, the all-in-one digital platform purpose-built for the entire restaurant community, today announced the renewal of its strategic partnership with US Foods, a leading foodservice distributor that works with approximately 250,000 restaurants and foodservice operators across the US.

Toast and US Foods share core values of helping restaurants succeed. The renewed partnership will allow both companies to build deeper relationships with restaurant owners and foodservice operators, providing the right technology solutions to save the operator time, grow revenue and improve the customer experience...

Making Restaurants Better Event Sponsored by Sysco

Let’s Talk Womxn, an action led movement of 600+ women restaurant owners, is delighted to partner with Sysco Corporation, the leading global foodservice distribution company, to present a panel discussion with the American Culinary Foundation and celebrated food personality Andrew Zimmern on May 22, 2022. This event features a gourmet dinner by five Chicago restaurateurs, embodying their collaborative Let’s Talk Womxn model.

The panel will provide insightful discussion focused on opportunities to “Make Restaurants Better” including those related to policy, business, women’s issues and solutions to help strengthen the restaurant industry...

Foodservice Update Q2 2022: Foodservice in Troubled Times - Impact of the War in Ukraine

This is a special edition focusing on the impact that the war in Ukraine may have on the foodservice industry in the immediate and the longer term. Food and energy prices were already rising before the war began, and this conflict has amplified the trend, making clear that high prices will not revert any time soon. Also, foreign brands operating in Russia are exposed to reputational risks, which might have consequences in long term strategies.

Report summary
The consequences will differ, depending on the market and...

Canadian Restaurants Enjoyed A Robust Return of Customers in the First Quarter

Full service restaurants benefitted from the pent-up demand to dine out

The Canadian foodservice industry continued to show promising recovery in the first quarter of 2022 compared to last year’s same quarter, reports The NPD Group. Physical and online visits to restaurants and commercial foodservice outlets increased by 18% in the first quarter compared to the same quarter last year, when traffic declined by 9% due to indoor dining restrictions. Consumer spending in the quarter grew by 27% compared to a year ago when spending declined by...