Weekly Roundup – Week of 2.24.25
February 28, 2025
Explore this week’s more trending food and beverage news – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Dave’s Hot Chicken Turns Up the Heat on Office Catering
Dave’s Hot Chicken is launching its first catering service through a partnership with ezCater, offering large group orders from its 200+ locations. The catering program is expected to generate up to 10% of the brand’s business within a year, supporting Dave’s rapid franchise expansion across the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. With employers increasingly turning to catered meals to entice workers to the office, the move positions Dave’s to capture higher-value orders and diversify its revenue streams. This strategic step fuels Dave’s growth and aligns with a broader foodservice trend of leveraging catering to boost profitability. Read More
Common Pitfalls Brands Face
In the Food Institute Podcast episode “Ramping Your Brand,” Dr. James F. Richardson, author and founder of Premium Growth Solutions, discusses strategies for emerging consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands to achieve sustainable growth. He emphasizes the importance of data-driven market research over anecdotal success stories, highlighting common pitfalls early-stage brands face. Dr. Richardson also explores future product demand trends and underscores the significance of leadership, business culture, and thoughtful product design in scaling a brand successfully. Listen Now
Natural & Organic Products Face Consumer Headwinds
An Acosta Group survey reveals strong consumer interest in natural and organic products, with 75% of respondents purchasing at least one in the past six months. However, 40% mistakenly believe the two terms are interchangeable, creating confusion that deters some shoppers from buying these items. While health benefits and fewer additives drive demand, affordability remains a major barrier, with over 70% of conventional shoppers citing cost as the top reason for avoiding natural or organic products. The findings highlight an opportunity for brands to educate consumers and offer value-driven options as demand for better-for-you products continues to grow. Learn More
Walmart Aims To Increase Fresh Produce Life
Walmart is partnering with agritech startup GreenPod Labs to extend the shelf life of produce during transit, addressing food waste and supply chain sustainability. GreenPod’s plant-based sachets help slow microbial growth and the ripening process, with initial trials on mangoes from Peru. This collaboration reflects Walmart’s broader investment in technology-driven solutions, including AI-assisted supply chain management, to improve food system resilience. As food loss remains a significant global issue, innovations like this could reshape how fresh produce is transported, offering both economic and environmental benefits for the food and beverage industry. Read Article
Chain Spotlight: Strategies From McDonald’s & ‘Vegan McDonalds’?
McDonald’s is celebrating 50 years of breakfast by offering its iconic Egg McMuffin for just $1 on March 2 through the McDonald’s app. The promotion comes as US egg prices soar due to the ongoing avian flu crisis, causing some restaurant chains like Denny’s and Waffle House to add egg surcharges. McDonald’s sets itself apart by promising not to pass rising egg costs onto customers. The budget-friendly deal provides a welcome break for consumers feeling the pinch of inflation.
While McDonald’s is setting itself apart by refusing to pass rising egg prices onto customers, in the plant-based fast-food space, Mr. Charlie’s—dubbed the “vegan McDonald’s”—teamed up with Mike Tyson to launch a playful new dessert called Mr. Fluff-Head, featuring cassava-based soft serve and a vegan chocolate ear. The collaboration underscores growing consumer interest in better-for-you options and brands with social impact, as Mr. Charlie’s supports sustainability and second-chance employment through its community initiatives. Whether through pricing strategies or purpose-driven innovation, both McDonald’s and Mr. Charlie’s are making moves to differentiate themselves in the competitive QSR landscape.
Experience the week’s most newsworthy food and beverage stories every Friday. Visit our blog every week.
