Weekly Roundup – Week of 8.11.25

August 15, 2025

Find the week’s most talked-about news stories – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Fresh Format Grocers Outshine the Competition

Even with tighter budgets, many consumers are still willing to pay more for fresh foods they can’t find at traditional grocers, according to a new study highlighted by The Food Institute. In the first half of the year, traditional and ethnic grocery stores pulled down overall category performance, while fresh format grocers, like Whole Foods and The Fresh Market, saw double-digit year-over-year growth in three of the first six months. For food brands, this emphasizes the value of innovating in premium fresh offerings and aligning with retailers that prioritize quality and specialty selections. Read Story

How Generative AI Is Helping Food Manufacturers

Generative AI is transforming factory roles in food and beverage manufacturing by turning traditionally “dull, dirty, and dangerous” tasks into engaging, tech-enabled experiences, making frontline work more appealing to younger, tech-savvy employees like Gen Z. By integrating these capabilities into connected worker platforms, manufacturers can better address labor shortages with scalable and efficient digital solutions. For food brands, this means more reliable production operations, improved workforce engagement, and stronger execution of quality control and innovation initiatives. Learn More

Deregulation Opens Doors For Food Brands & Restaurants

The FDA is making moves to revoke a total of 52 “standards of identity” (SOIs) across categories like canned fruits and vegetables, dairy, baked goods, noodles, fruit juices, seafood, and dressings, deeming them outdated and no longer reflective of modern food practices. This deregulation opens the door for food brands and restaurants to innovate more freely by experimenting with new ingredients, formulations, or product concepts, offering greater flexibility for creative product development while still meeting consumer expectations. Read Article

Reviews Speak Volumes for Casual Dining Chains

A new report from Chatmeter analyzes one million customer reviews of the top 10 dining chains, revealing what drives consumers to choose where to eat. Chains were ranked on customer experience, value, and menu appeal. The findings show that technology upgrades and operational improvements boosted satisfaction for some, while refreshed menus and promotions gave others an edge. For food brands, these insights highlight where partnerships can align with menu innovation, value-driven offers, and service enhancements to reach diners more effectively. Which chains came out on top? See the full list here.

New Product News

It’s been a while since we’ve rounded up the latest food and beverage innovations. And this week’s lineup delivers plenty to talk about. From playful candy creations to better-for-you kids’ drinks and a nostalgic ice cream comeback, here are three launches making headlines:

• Bazooka Brands is inviting consumers to play with their food, investing big in concepts that spark engagement. The latest additions include the Juicy Drop Gummy Mystery Cube and a chocolatey twist on its classic Ring Pop line.
• Plezi is debuting a new line of kids’ beverages with 75% less sugar than most fruit juices, plus added fiber, potassium, vitamin C, magnesium, and zinc.
• Monster Energy is reviving the beloved Thrifty Ice Cream brand, keeping its signature taste while introducing fresh flavors, retail expansion, and a revitalization strategy to reconnect with loyal fans and capture new ones.

Read the latest food and beverage news covered in our weekly roundups each Friday.