Weekly Roundup – Week of 1.12.26

January 16, 2026

We’re covering this week’s most important food and beverage news and trending topics – curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Industry Heavyweight, John Inwright, Shares Perspective On Foodservice In 2026

In this episode of The Food Institute Podcast, foodservice veteran John Inwright breaks down what the restaurant industry endured in 2025 and what 2026 may hold for operators, from persistent challenges to emerging opportunities. You’ll hear what strategies are working for successful operators, which headwinds could slow growth, and where potential tailwinds might give the industry a boost as the new year begins. Tune in to gain expert perspective and actionable takeaways that every food industry professional should hear as they plan for the year ahead. Listen Now

Innovation and Fried Chicken: QSRs and C-Stores Battle It Out

Fried chicken is heating up as a competitive differentiator in the convenience store and foodservice space, with brands like Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Chester’s and newcomer HiBird innovating with new flavors, formats and systems to attract customers and streamline operations.

Key themes:

• Menu innovation and variety: Fried chicken offerings are expanding with distinct flavors, global influences and new product formats (e.g., nuggets), helping c-stores stand out and drive sales.
• Operational focus: Brands are introducing systems (like Chester’s 2.0) and easy-to-execute programs (HiBird) that reduce waste, improve hold time and simplify prep for c-store staff.
• Consumer demand: Chicken remains a versatile, high-demand protein across multiple dayparts, appealing to both traditional and adventurous eaters and supporting diversified menus.

This trend creates opportunities for suppliers to develop value-added, easy-prepare chicken products and innovative breading/flavor solutions that align with c-store operators’ needs for differentiation, operational simplicity and high-velocity items. Learn More

Target & Whole Foods Compete In Better-For-You Product Category

Target is dramatically expanding its wellness product offerings—boosting its assortment by about 30 % with thousands of value-focused items priced under $10—as part of a strategy to challenge natural grocer Whole Foods and capture “better-for-you” shoppers. This emphasizes how mainstream retailers are elevating health and wellness trends, putting pressure on premium grocers to balance value with quality while creating new shelf opportunities for wellness-oriented brands. As consumer demand for affordable, health-forward products grows, food manufacturers and suppliers may find more pathways to scale through mass retail channels. Read Story

Dairy, Deli, and Bakery Departments Make Creative Shifts

In 2026, dairy, deli and bakery departments are expected to drive growth by balancing tradition and creativity, offering both familiar comfort foods and fresh, adventurous innovations that engage consumers’ senses and simplify meal decisions. Retailers will focus on health-forward indulgence, showing that comfort and wellness can coexist on the perimeter. There’s also a rising trend toward personalization and approachable discovery, with customizable take-and-bake items and bold yet familiar flavor pairings encouraging shopper exploration. For the food industry, this means demand will increase for products that blend convenience, quality and functional benefits, prompting manufacturers to innovate with elevated flavors and formats that meet evolving shopper expectations for both comfort and novelty. Read More

Which Restaurant Chains Soared In 2025, and Which Fell Short

In 2025, a handful of major chains, including Chili’s, McDonald’s, Taco Bell, and various coffee brands, posted strong same-store sales and growth by leaning into value, menu innovation, and broad appeal across consumer segments. While others like Jack in the Box, Pizza Hut, Sweetgreen and large franchisors like Fat Brands struggled with negative comps, operational challenges and shifting traffic patterns. Food manufacturers should align product portfolios with value-oriented, high-velocity items and support menu innovation that drives traffic, while monitoring struggling segments for consolidation or retooling opportunities in 2026. Read Article

Stop back every week for more industry insights, news, and trends affecting your business and marketing strategies.