Weekly Roundup – Week of 12.15.25
December 19, 2025
Industry experts and leading food industry publications weigh in on what’s coming in 2026. Explore our weekly roundup – curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
Club Stores Become The Latest Driver For Food Brands
Club stores like Costco and BJ’s are attracting modern shoppers by offering strong value, consistent pricing, and bulk purchases. These retailers are expanding locations and seeing rising memberships because consumers increasingly prioritize trust and value over legacy brand loyalty. Private-label products (e.g., Costco’s Kirkland Signature or Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark) are especially popular, often incorporating on-trend claims like “organic” or “special diet options,” which resonate with today’s budget-conscious, quality-seeking shoppers. For food brands, this means club channels are a growing opportunity — especially if products can compete on value, appeal to health/quality trends, and fit well in bulk formats that drive discovery and repeat purchases. Read Article
How ‘Convenience’ Delivers Trust & Visibility
In 2026, convenience is no longer just a nice-to-have — it’s becoming a core structural expectation across retail, driven by AI, frictionless experiences, and seamless payments that remove hassle at every step of the shopping journey. AI-powered tools will not only streamline discovery and checkout but also act as gatekeepers of trust and visibility, meaning food brands must be discoverable and relevant within these systems to compete effectively. Learn More
Strategic Offers Attract The Right Guests
Diners are making decisions based on deals more than ever, and competitors are capturing both visits and valuable data when brands sit on the sidelines. Restaurants that succeed aren’t universally slashing prices, but using strategic, targeted offers to attract the right guests at the right time while capturing behavioral insights that inform smarter future marketing. Without technology and precise offer management, brands risk losing traffic, learning nothing from promotions, and falling behind more data-savvy competitors. Read More
Top Restaurant Leaders Weigh In: Operators & Food Brands Should Take Notice
Looking ahead to 2026, top restaurant leaders are weighing in on the forces set to shape the industry’s future — from the tech investments redefining guest experiences to shifting consumer expectations around personalization, convenience, and value. Early insights tease a major focus on integrated digital systems that streamline operations and elevate service and experiential, community-connected dining that helps brands stand out in a crowded market. Discover the full lineup of expert-backed trends that every operator and food brand should be preparing for next year. Read On
Listen In: Insights On The Deli-Prepared Food Category
In the latest Food Institute podcast, Adam Michaels, CEO of Mama’s Creations, explains how the deli category is evolving into a high-growth, innovation-ready segment as retailers seek solutions to labor shortages, efficiency pressures, and shifting meal behaviors. Listeners will learn how vertically integrated manufacturing, strategic acquisitions, and rigorous performance metrics enable the company to support retailers at scale while maintaining quality. The conversation also highlights why the deli-prepared foods category represents a major opportunity for brands that can simplify operations while delivering value and relevance to today’s shoppers. Listen Now
We’re taking a break next week from our roundup to give our employees time to enjoy the holidays with family and friends. Our Omnivore family wishes all of our dedicated readers and new visitors to our weekly roundup, a very merry and safe season.
