Weekly Roundup – Week of 9.16.24

September 20, 2024

From major brand collabs to consumer trends and makeline automation, this week’s roundup features top food and beverage news – all curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Menu Prices Driven by Consumer Demand

Consumers are reshaping restaurant pricing strategies across the board. Fast-food chains, fast-casual eateries, and independent restaurants are offering value meals, combos, and BOGO deals to meet consumer demand for affordable options. Despite rising costs, restaurants face challenges in passing on all inflationary increases, putting profits under pressure. As Joe Yetter from Par Technology notes, it’s not the promotions changing customer behavior—it’s the consumers influencing restaurant offerings. With diners increasingly opting for lower-cost menu items, restaurants must find ways to balance value and profitability while still delivering the dining experience customers crave. Read More

Consumer Trends Influence Food Purchases

For food manufacturers, staying on top of food trends is paramount. A recent study by Ardent Mills, Trend to Table™, explored what drives consumer food purchases, uncovering five key trends. First, ingredients are crucial, with 85% of consumers prioritizing ingredient quality and over half willing to pay more for whole or minimally processed foods. Second, heritage plays a major role, as traditional flavors inspire culinary exploration. Third, consumers focus on adding nutrition with intent, prioritizing wellness over restrictive diets. Find All Trends Here

Chipotle Tests Its Automated Makeline “Autocado”

Chipotle has begun testing its avocado processing machine, Autocado, and a new automated makeline in select California locations. The Autocado can peel, cut, and core an avocado in just 26 seconds, leaving workers to finish preparing guacamole. Meanwhile, the automated makeline adds a second station to streamline bowl-based digital orders, which make up a significant portion of Chipotle’s sales. These innovations could lead to major labor savings and efficiency boosts for the chain. Developed with Vebu and Hyphen, these technologies are part of Chipotle’s larger $100 million investment in automation. The results could set a new standard for tech-driven fast-casual dining. Ready Story

Food Brands Tap Into Nostalgia for Advertising Campaigns

Food brands are increasingly using nostalgia in their advertising campaigns to connect with consumers. By reviving classic flavors, packaging, and memories, companies aim to evoke emotional responses tied to simpler, familiar times. This strategy taps into the power of sentimentality, drawing in both older generations and younger consumers curious about past trends. As brands compete for attention, leveraging nostalgia has become an effective way to build loyalty and stand out in a crowded market. Read More

Brand Collaboration Spotlight: Driving Innovation and Expanding Reach

Collaborations between CPG giants are fueling innovation, market growth, and fresh consumer experiences. This week, three high-profile partnerships made news by addressing rising consumer trends and tapping into new markets:

• Hershey’s x C4 Energy: Hershey’s iconic chocolate and Reese’s flavors are teaming up with C4 Energy to create protein powders and energy drinks. As post-pandemic interest in fitness grows, this collaboration merges indulgence with health-focused products, tapping into the expanding supplement market.
• Coca-Cola x Bacardi: Coca-Cola, aiming to be a “total beverage company,” continues its push into alcohol with a ready-to-drink cocktail featuring Bacardi. This launch aligns with surging demand for canned cocktails, with the pre-mixed spirits category growing 26.8% to $2.8 billion in 2023.
• Kraft Heinz x Philadelphia: Philadelphia Cream Cheese is set to release a refrigerated frosting made with milk and cream, free from artificial ingredients. This innovation responds to consumer demand for convenience and clean labels, marking Kraft Heinz’s continued expansion of its flagship brands into new product categories.

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