Weekly Roundup – Week of 11.17.25
November 21, 2025
Must read trends and insights as we approach 2026 – curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:
How One Popular Chain’s Holiday Promotion Drives More Than Sales
Raising Cane’s holiday campaign goes beyond simple discounts, tapping into the nostalgia and warmth of A Christmas Story with themed plush puppies, limited-edition merch, and fan-favorite movie props. They’re also doing bike giveaways to kids in more than 25 cities, blending joy, community, and purpose into their promotional push. By combining charitable giving, pop-culture storytelling, and immersive touchpoints, Cane’s makes its holiday campaign feel like a celebration — not just a sales event. Read Story
Mintel’s 2026 Food & Drink Predictions Have Arrived!
The 2026 Global Food and Drink Predictions highlight long-term forces shaping the industry through 2030 and beyond, offering true predictive intelligence rather than short-term trendspotting. Emerging themes—from greater dietary diversity to renewed trust in traditional ingredients and more purposeful multisensory experiences—indicate where consumer priorities are headed. These insights equip food and beverage leaders to anticipate change, spark innovation, and confidently guide their brands into the future. Read Insights
Stop Selling To Consumers, Start Listening
In modern QSR brand building, the most powerful strategy isn’t volume — it’s listening. Rather than blasting out promotions, leading brands are using data during the transaction moment (i.e., when customers check out) to deliver timely, relevant messages based on order behavior, time, and context. By responding in real time with personalized offers, loyalty reminders, or upgrades, they make customers feel seen and valued — not just sold to. Food manufacturers can help QSRs by offering labor-saving, margin-friendly products and menu solutions that support faster service, simplify operations, and reduce back-of-house strain. Ready Article
Restaurants & Diners Will Need To Adapt To Industry Challenges
Restaurant operators report that food prices are up ~29% and labor costs are up ~23%, which is driving restaurants to slim down their options, reduce spending, and streamline their service. As a result, diners may encounter fewer menu items, more value deals, and increased technology-enabled experiences (such as digital ordering or personalization) as restaurants aim to protect margins. Read Release
The Foodservice Labor Crunch: How CPG Brands Can Help
The foodservice industry is headed into a labor crunch in 2026, driven by fewer job openings, inflationary pressure, and a shrinking workforce pipeline. Rather than just cutting pay, brands should focus on employee retention — stabilizing schedules, reducing turnover, and paying fair wages, according to The Food Institute article. For CPG brands, this is a moment to support foodservice partners by developing labor-saving products, investing in automation solutions, or collaborating on continuity programs that ease operational strain. Learn More
We’re taking a break next week to enjoy some quality time with family and friends. Be sure to stop back and check out our roundup the first week in December! We hope all our readers have a memorable Thanksgiving.
