Weekly Roundup – Week of 10.20.25
October 24, 2025
Technology and regulations lead the top food and beverage stories from our roundup this week – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Gen X, The Forgotten Generation: What We Should Remember
Also known as the “quiet generation” and “caretaker generation”, Gen X has quite the spending power and should not be overlooked. They are focused on functionality over comfort and high-tech motivations like boomers and Gen Z, respectively. They seek balance in life, are loyal, and look for value and convenience. Food brands that promote health, wellness, and value offerings will grab the attention of this profitable group of consumers. Read More
Why Regulation & Packaging Design Are Inseparable
Food Dive takes a deep dive into the latest packaging regulations for CPGs and suppliers and uncovers these key takeaways:
- With seven U.S. states now enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Packaging laws, brands must contend with multiple recycling rates, rules, and deadlines, making compliance a major strategic challenge.
- Eco‑modulation, where brands pay lower fees for more sustainable packaging designs (e.g., swapping colored bottles for clear, more-recyclable ones) while preserving shelf appeal, is an emerging tool.
- For food industry brands, marrying compelling packaging design with regulatory compliance and sustainability goals would impact branding, consumer perception, and bottom-line risk.
How AI Is Working Smarter For QSR Inventory Management
As quick-service restaurants adopt smartphones and tablets equipped with on-device AI, they’re uncovering powerful advantages that transform one of the industry’s biggest headaches: inventory management. The result is not only fewer mistakes but also happier, more efficient employees who can focus on customers rather than spreadsheets. With improved visibility into stock levels and smarter forecasting, QSRs are reducing waste, preventing stockouts, and boosting profitability. Learn More
Highlights From The NACS Show 2025
The path forward is a blend of innovation and execution — exciting flavors and tech matter, but so do strong fundamentals and clear focus:
- Bold and familiar flavors (think dill pickle snacks, sour candies, global street-food influences) dominated the floor, reinforcing how “excite the consumer” matters as much as “satisfy the need.”
- Technology buzz is real, and the message was “don’t chase the latest gimmick until your foundation is solid.” Start with your most pressing problem, build the basics, then scale up to self-checkout, AI, etc.
- Competition is shifting. Convenience stores aren’t just battling each other anymore. They’re up against specialty vape shops, coffee chains, and other formats that threaten core sales.
The Fusion of Transformative Sustainability Solutions
In a recent article by The Food Institute, powered by Impact Newswire, three emerging sustainability strategies are highlighted: green hydrogen as a low-carbon feedstock, large-scale carbon removal, and the circular economy via advanced material recovery. This approach challenges food brands to reinvent packaging, ingredient sourcing, and waste flows so materials stay in use and emissions shrink. At the same time, the hydrogen and carbon-removal pathways show that long-term decarbonization requires investment in frontier technologies. Read Article
Check out our weekly roundups every Friday for the latest news and insights surrounding the food industry.
