CRN Backs New House Supplement Registry Bill
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has endorsed Rep. Maxine Dexter’s House version of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act, a bill that would create a federal registry of supplement labels. The legislation mirrors a similar Senate proposal, indicating growing bipartisan momentum to increase transparency in the $60 billion dietary‑supplement market that reaches roughly three‑quarters of American adults. CRN argues the registry would give the FDA a clearer view of products without altering the DSHEA framework, and cites its own Supplement OWL tool as a low‑burden proof of concept. The move aims to curb adulterated or misbranded products and restore consumer confidence.
Simon Kim Unveils Three Dining Concepts at 550 Madison in Midtown
Simon Kim’s Gracious Hospitality Management is debuting three distinct dining concepts—Bar Chimera, a multi‑bar lounge; a new Midtown outpost of his Michelin‑starred Korean steakhouse Cote; and the upcoming Sushi Yoshitake sushi bar—within the iconic 550 Madison building. Bar Chimera features a martini, whiskey, and wine...
Top Value Meals You Can Purchase for $5 - $10 at Fast Food Chains
Fast‑food chains are rolling out $5‑$10 value meals to attract price‑sensitive diners amid rising inflation. McDonald’s, Wendy’s, Burger King, KFC, Taco Bell and Dunkin’ each offer bundled combos that pair proteins, sides and drinks at budget‑friendly prices. These promotions aim...
Indie Grocers Say New Grocery Code Is Already Reshaping Supplier Relations
The Canada Grocery Code of Conduct became effective on Jan. 1, 2026, and independent grocers say it is already reshaping supplier relationships. The voluntary code creates a dispute‑resolution framework that treats small retailers the same as large chains, fostering transparency on...
Unit Count Misleads; McDonald's Outsells Yum per Location
And while we're comparing companies, one of the things that Yum Brands likes to say is that it's the biggest restaurant company in the world, which is based on unit count. Its brands combined have more than 63k locations. By...
Top Large Cities Reveal Geographic Edge for New Restaurants
Aspiring restaurant operators - here is an interesting resource about the best large cities to start a business. Some interesting geographical differences. https://t.co/3JGPaRhc7m
GLP-1 Drugs and the Rise of the Health-Conscious Shopper – Placer.ai Blog
Around 12.5% of Americans now use GLP‑1 medications for weight loss, prompting measurable shifts in retail and dining behavior. Fresh‑format grocery chains such as Trader Joe’s and Sprouts have captured increasing foot traffic, while healthier dining concepts—including smoothie, juice, and frozen‑yogurt...
Convenience Services Set to Outperform Foodservice Industry
In LA for the 2026 NAMA Show and sharing our research on the health and outlook for the broader convenience services industry. This part of the broader #foodservice industry should outperform. #vending #micromarket https://t.co/SstO0lXeJO
Make Time Wellness Expands Product Line and Retail with Launch in Target Stores
Make Time Wellness, the women’s brain‑health supplement brand founded by Emma Heming Willis and Helen Christoni, is launching its products in select Target stores nationwide this April. The rollout follows the introduction of three new formulas—Menopause & Brain Health, NAD+ & Rhodiola,...
Publisher’s Platform: Hepatitis A and the Food Service Industry: A Case for Universal Vaccination
Bill Marler’s op‑ed urges universal Hepatitis A vaccination for food‑service workers, noting that the CDC removed the vaccine from the routine childhood schedule. He stresses that the virus spreads during the two weeks before symptoms appear, turning a single unvaccinated employee...
Sprouts Same-Store Visits Slow in Q1 2026 Amid Tough Comparisons and Softening Consumer Demand – Placer.ai Blog
Sprouts Farmers Market saw same‑store foot traffic dip 3 %‑6 % YoY in Q1 2026, a slowdown amplified by an unusually strong Q1 2025 baseline and higher food prices. Total chain visits, however, rose 1.8 % YoY thanks to the opening of 37...
Quality vs Quantity: Food Makers Face Tradeoffs when Choosing Protein Source
Food manufacturers are scrambling to meet a surge in consumer protein demand, with two‑thirds of shoppers seeking higher intake and GLP‑1 drugs adding momentum. ADM advises brands to weigh protein quality, cost and functionality, highlighting soy, dairy, whey and pea...
The Hidden Hazard in Commercial Kitchens: Why Floor Safety Can’t Be Ignored
Commercial kitchens face a hidden safety threat: the flooring. Slip‑resistant surfaces like Altro Stronghold 30 protect staff from grease‑laden slips, reduce injury liability, and improve comfort during long shifts. Operators often overlook floor design, drainage, and transitions, focusing instead on equipment...
McDonald's Outsells Burger King by $110 Billion
I can answer this question ... In 2025 McDonald's generated $139.4 billion in global system sales. Burger King $29.4 billion. So the difference between the two is exactly $110 billion. You're welcome.
Territory Changes and Deals: Carlsberg, Brown-Forman. Keurig Dr Pepper. Big Geyser. Coke Consolidated. Nestle. 7-Eleven. Hopwtr. Suja. Coca-Cola
Marriott International has ended its 35‑year partnership with PepsiCo, opting to serve Coca‑Cola products across its global portfolio of more than 7,000 hotels. The switch follows Coca‑Cola’s aggressive food‑service push and comes as the company prepares for a leadership transition...
Gatorade Restages Around ‘Science-Backed Hydration’ for Everybody
PepsiCo is relaunching Gatorade with a new "Gatorlyte Longer Lasting" variant that emphasizes science‑backed, sustained hydration for a broader audience. The product builds on a 2009 strategy overhaul that aimed to win back casual consumers who had drifted to water...
Middle East Conflict Sparks Looming Global Food Crisis
My latest on how the conflict in the Middle East is threatening a global food crisis https://t.co/J5zkfEobhr
Sweets & Snacks Expo Draws Convenience Focus
The Sweets & Snacks Expo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center May 19‑21, hosted by the National Confectioners Association. The three‑day event gathers thousands of retailers, suppliers and brand leaders to showcase candy and snack innovation, with a pronounced...
Rethinking Fast-Casual Growth in the Age of Instant Gratification
Fast‑casual chains are abandoning the old playbook of prime foot‑traffic locations and sprawling menus in favor of speed, digital convenience, and consumer‑first real‑estate. Edible Brands illustrates the shift by integrating order‑ahead tech, simplifying operations, and expanding into nontraditional sites such...
Organic Connections
FOUND Café, a bustling coffee shop in Angelino Heights, Echo Park, operates under Los Angeles County’s newly launched MEKHO program. The initiative allows residents to run small‑scale food businesses from their homes, bypassing traditional commercial lease costs. By leveraging a...
Shoppers Shift Food Spend to C-Stores
Retail research from Tillster shows convenience stores are gaining a larger share of food‑service occasions as diners cut back on restaurant spending. The 2026 Phygital Index surveyed 2,144 U.S. consumers, finding 33% now visit c‑stores more often while 29% and...
The Federal Portal for Tariff Refunds Is Now Open
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection launched the CAPE portal on April 20, enabling green coffee importers to file Phase 1 IEEPA tariff‑refund claims. The portal consolidates entries, allowing a single declaration for thousands of shipments and promising lump‑sum refunds with interest....
US House Committee Advances FISH Act
The U.S. House Natural Resources Committee unanimously approved the Fighting Illegal Seafood Harvests (FISH) Act, a bipartisan effort to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The legislation creates a blacklist that would bar offending foreign vessels from U.S. ports...
Runi Seeing Continued Demand in Seafood Industry for Its EPS Compaction Solutions
Runi, a Danish manufacturer, is seeing growing adoption of its expanded polystyrene (EPS) compactors among seafood processors. The machines can shrink up to 50 truckloads of EPS, turning waste into a sellable product and delivering a payback period of six...
Norway’s Farmed Cod Prices Double Since the Beginning of April; Wild-Caught Prices Fall in Scotland
Norwegian farmed cod prices have nearly doubled since early April, climbing to NOK 136.75 per kilogram (about $14.40). The surge follows a sharp production drop, with shipments falling from 8.26 million kg in March to 4.78 million kg in April – a 42% reduction. Lower...
B&R Stores Acquires Family Fare Store From SpartanNash
B&R Stores Inc. announced an agreement to purchase SpartanNash’s Family Fare location at 1815 Court St. in Beatrice, Nebraska, with a closing target of April 30. The store will be renovated and rebranded as a Russ’s Market, joining an existing...
The ‘Warming’ Buzz for Alcohol-Free Booze Is Finally Cracked
Alcohol consumption in Europe is falling while low‑ and no‑alcohol drinks surge, with 2.2 bn L of non‑alcoholic beer brewed each year and one in five beers now alcohol‑free. Researchers at KU Leuven and VIB have patented a piperine‑niacin blend that creates a...
Grocery Prices Will Keep Rising No Matter What Politicians Promise
Canadian grocery prices are climbing faster than in the United States, with families now spending roughly $1,200 more per year than before the pandemic. Inflation is driven by sharp increases in staples such as coffee (+30.8%) and beef (+16.8%). The...
Work Begins on Coleburn Speyside Bistro
Work has begun on The Kitchery, a new bistro housed in the former piggery at the historic Coleburn Distillery in Speyside. The venue, part of a multi‑million‑pound masterplan for a whisky and hospitality resort, is slated to open in late...
Buffalo Bills Name Treasure Cave Its Official Cheese
The Buffalo Bills have named Treasure Cave blue cheese its official cheese, integrating the product into Highmark Stadium’s menu and fan experiences. The partnership introduces a house‑made blue‑cheese dressing for wings, pizza and subs, and launches a "Ticket Tuesday" giveaway that...
NACS CEO Frank Gleeson on the Next Phase of C-Store Growth
Frank Gleeson, newly appointed NACS president and CEO, says the convenience‑store sector is moving beyond its historic reliance on fuel and tobacco toward foodservice, fresh offerings and digital engagement. He describes the change as rapid evolution rather than disruption, with...
First Batch of 2026 Zhanjiang Lychees Sail for the US Market
A 21.5‑ton container of the early‑ripening Guihuaxiang lychee left Zhanjiang’s Risheng Cooperative on April 15, marking the city’s first full‑container export for the 2026 season and one of the earliest Chinese shipments to the United States this year. The fruit,...
Restaurants Brace for the Impact of High Gas Prices
Restaurant executives warned that surging gasoline prices could erode consumer spending, with the National Restaurant Association estimating an additional $125 billion in fuel costs for Americans this year. While the industry’s $1.6 trillion sales base remains robust, chains like KFC and Panda...
Tee Yih Jia Targets Plant-Based Growth with Asian-Western Fusion
Tee Yih Jia’s plant‑based brand ALTN is pursuing an “East meets West” strategy, launching new frozen meat‑free Asian and Western dishes as the broader plant‑based market slows. Leveraging its distribution network in 80 countries, the company refines recipes to appeal...
Stranger & Stranger Does It Again for Martini with a Sleek Redesign of Their Flagship Vermouth Range
London‑based agency Stranger & Stranger has unveiled a fresh redesign for Martini’s flagship vermouth range. The new packaging features lighter glass bottles, bold Mediterranean‑inspired colors, and a sleek typographic treatment that modernizes the brand while honoring its heritage. By injecting...
The Next Matcha? Ube Surges in Popularity
Ube, the purple Filipino yam, is gaining global traction as a color‑driven food trend, echoing matcha’s rise. Social‑media buzz and a sharp increase in Google searches since February have pushed the ingredient onto beverage and dessert menus worldwide. Market research...
How Did McDonald’s Navigate Q1 2026 Headwinds? – Placer.ai Blog
McDonald’s reported a modest 0.6% year‑over‑year increase in Q1 2026 visits, showing resilience amid Winter Storm Fern and a tighter consumer climate. Same‑store traffic proved volatile, falling 1.3% in January, surging 3.8% in February, then slipping 1.2% in March. A March 31 partnership...
Online Grocery Sales Will Near $500B by 2028, FMI Report Says
Online grocery sales are projected to reach $452 billion by 2028, growing at an 11.6% annual rate and representing about one‑fifth of total grocery spend. Omnichannel shoppers now account for 94% of the market, but retailers face hurdles such as high‑cost...
Canadian Grocery in Focus: Leadership, AI, and Resilience at RCCSTORE26
RCCSTORE26, the premier Canadian grocery conference, convenes June 2‑3 in Toronto to tackle AI, leadership, and supply‑chain resilience. Sessions feature Loblaws senior executives discussing AI‑powered product discovery and digital loyalty, while a leadership track explores building resilient teams amid rapid change....
FTC Order in TruHeight Case Signals Scrutiny of Height Claims and Incentivized Reviews
The FTC issued an administrative order against TruHeight, finding its height‑increase claims for children unsubstantiated and its review practices deceptive. The agency required the company to back any health claims with competent, double‑blind clinical evidence and to stop incentivizing 5‑star...
Average Rob Launches La Patate, a Chip Shop with International Ambitions
YouTuber and entrepreneur Robert Van Impe, known as Average Rob, is launching La Patate, a Belgian‑style chip shop, with its first outlet opening next to Antwerp Central Station in May. The concept is a joint venture with serial entrepreneurs Gilles...
Diverging Paths: What the Data Reveals About CAVA and Sweetgreen – Placer.ai Blog
Q1 2026 foot‑traffic data shows CAVA gaining same‑store visits while Sweetgreen’s per‑location traffic declines. CAVA’s protein‑forward menu expansions and broader pricing have attracted a wider income range, lifting its same‑store visits 6.8% YoY. Sweetgreen responded with value‑focused initiatives, including a...
REWE Group Has Surpassed the €100bln Revenue Threshold in FY25
European grocery giants posted mixed results in early 2026. REWE Group broke the €100 bn ($108 bn) revenue barrier in FY25, posting 4% top‑line growth but seeing net profit dip to €525 m ($567 m). Meanwhile, Carrefour reported a 2.2% like‑for‑like sales rise in...
Report: Specialty, Discount Grocers Outperform As Supermarkets Lose Ground
Consumer Edge’s U.S. Grocery Outlook 2026 shows overall grocery spend fell about 3% YoY, but shoppers are reallocating dollars toward specialty and discount retailers. Trader Joe’s led the specialty segment, posting over 3% growth and a 35% four‑quarter retention rate, while...
Where AI Meets the Aisle: How The Vitamin Shoppe Is Reinventing Supplement Retail
The Vitamin Shoppe has opened an innovation store featuring Shoppe Advisor, an AI‑powered discovery tool that merges its extensive digital content with in‑store expertise. The platform delivers real‑time inventory, education, and product suggestions through a conversational interface, while also offering...
Mondelez Meets Packaging Goal: 5% Recycled Plastic
Mondelez International announced it has met its European target to cut virgin plastic use by 5%, swapping rigid PET trays for containers made of roughly 80% recycled PET. The change touches flagship brands such as Milka, Oreo and Philadelphia, marking...
Mestizo Brings Regional Mexican Flavours to London with Annual Enchilada Festival This Spring
London‑based Mexican restaurant group Mestizo is launching its annual Enchilada Festival from 27 April to 6 May across its Camden and Chelsea venues. The ten‑day event will feature ten distinct enchilada variations that reflect regional Mexican flavors, from mole‑based and barbacoa recipes...
Ahold Delhaize USA Joins Responsible Labor Initiative
Ahold Delhaize USA announced its membership in the Responsible Labor Initiative (RLI), an international body that helps companies address human‑rights risks in supply chains. The grocery giant, which operates The Giant Company, Hannaford and Food Lion, will join an RLI...
Captain Morgan Sliced Adds Colada Variety Pack
Diageo’s Captain Morgan Sliced line introduces a new Colada Style Drink Variety Pack, offering four tropical flavors—Piña Colada, Mango, Passionfruit, and Strawberry—in 12‑ounce cans. The 12‑count pack retails for $18.99 and carries a 5% ABV, positioning it as a ready‑to‑drink malt...
Nerds Maker Ferrara to Spend $675M on New South Carolina Plant
Ferrara Candy, a Ferrero‑affiliated confectioner, announced a $675 million investment to build a 750,000‑square‑foot manufacturing complex in Orangeburg, South Carolina. The plant will house processing, packaging, warehousing and corporate offices, and is slated to begin production in the first quarter of...