Weekly Roundup – Week of 10.30.23

November 3, 2023

This week’s roundup covers notable food and beverage-related news stories focused on restaurants and retail outlets – curated by our team of strategists and food enthusiasts:

Reservations Snatched by Bots for Profit

As diners try to make reservations at the latest hotspots, they’re finding limited-to-no availability. The culprit? Bots instantly snap up reservations as soon as they’re released. Companies like Appointment Trader, Cita, and Alkaar have entered the scene, buying and selling restaurant reservations to turn a profit, with some of them taking a substantial 20-30% commission on the sales. In response, restaurant owners are pushing back by implementing measures to verify that reservations are made by humans and are also offering more seating options for walk-in customers. Will restaurants consider charging reservation fees? Find out, Here.

Growing Demand for Fresh Produce Creates Challenges For Grocers

In today’s competitive retail landscape, the significance of fresh products cannot be understated. As per RELEX, 74% of retailers consider fresh produce vital to their operations and 98% of the remainder attribute some level of importance to fresh foods. Managing inventory to reduce waste while catering to their customer demands is a major challenge for supermarkets. Taking a data-driven approach to inventory and implementing smart pricing strategies can aid in forecasting orders. Read More.

Bridging the Gap: When Restaurants Meet Retail

As food prices continue to soar, supermarkets are exploring ways to incorporate restaurant-style dining experiences into their stores. The focus is on made-to-order meals, and exclusive brands like The Stackup sandwich and burger shop, Gohan sushi and poke bowls, and L’Osteria Italian dishes are staking their claim within these spaces. Grocers are on a mission to transform themselves into enticing destinations, offering not only traditional grocery shopping but also comfortable seating and inviting atmospheres. Discover the strategies being employed by Dom’s Kitchen & Market, The Fresh Market, and Giant Food to draw customers in-store. Learn More.

What Consumers Want When Dining Out in 2024

As highlighted in The Food Institute article, one prevalent trend is the desire to make the most of consumers’ dining budgets. Fast-casual restaurants and coffee shops are poised to maintain their popularity, driven by the promise of value, convenience, and the seamless experience of mobile ordering and takeout services. Shopping through multiple channels is expected to increase, while experiential concepts like eatertainment venues will attract even more patrons. Notably, automation will also be a major trend, aimed at optimizing labor efficiency and elevating food quality. Read Article.

Food Finds

What else is happening in the industry? Check out these top trending stories of the week:

• The 2023 World Cheese Awards announced 16 winners out of 4,000 entries, with one cheese from Norway being crowned the best of all – Nidelven Blå cheese, a handmade, semi-solid blue cheese that also topped the other 292 entries from Norway.
• Despite the controversy and polarization of this candy, Brach’s Candy Corn sales continue to increase year over year. The company produces about 90% of the world’s candy corn.
• NHL arenas skate into hockey season with new menu items including Slapshot Shareable Nachos (UBS Arena, Belmont Park, N.Y.), Birria Baked Potato (T-Mobile Arean, Las Vegas), and Honey Butter Cheese Fries (United Center, Chicago.)
• As winter beverage sales begin to heat up for the season, Starbucks and Dunkin’ share their holiday drink menus starting this week.

Stop back each Friday for more weekly highlights!

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