Hospitals Must Serve Real Food or Lose Funding
This is one of the biggest MAHA wins to date and it deserves a moment of attention, because hospitals are finally being told to align their patient meals with actual dietary guidelines or risk losing Medicare and Medicaid funding. That means the beige tray of jello, white bread, and seed oil slop that's been passed off as heart healthy for forty years is on its way out. Sick people heal faster when they eat real food, and the fact that it took this long to make that obvious in a hospital setting tells you everything you need to know about who the system was actually built to serve. Swipe through for the full breakdown.
Chipotle's Labor Costs Climb to 26.1% of Revenue
Chipotle: "Labor costs in the first quarter of 2026 were 26.1% of total revenue, an increase from 25.0% in the first quarter of 2025. The increase was primarily driven by wage inflation, lower average restaurant sales volumes, and higher benefits...
Perfect Tomatoes Delivered Daily, No Matter the Cost
I am once again sharing my proposal for a startup called The Good Tomato that does one thing, and one thing only: offers to ship you a perfect tomato, at whatever price is necessary, 365 days a year
Vietnamese Beer Demand May Not Decline Yet
I feel this way about Vietnamese beer consumption. Assuming secular decline from here onwards seems premature.
Asian Noodles, Coffee, and Mexican Lead Restaurant Growth
Fastest growing cuisines in the restaurant industry, 2024-25, based on consumer spending: Limited service: Asian/Noodle 5.9% Coffee cafe 5.8% Beverage/snack 5.8% Chicken 5.2% Mexican 5.0% Lots of pockets of growth in these clusters, with a whole lot of new concepts emerging.
Fat Brands Faces Breakup; Smokey Bones to Close
Looks like Fat Brands will be broken up in a sale process. But Smokey Bones is shutting down. https://t.co/CS0SUmXyQf
Ajinomoto's Factory Fire Fuels Decade-Long MSG Controversy
We did back when the factory had a fire. People have been making content around Ajinomoto for years/decade regarding ABF. But also MSG. :)
Brian Niccol's Turnaround Validates “Back to Starbucks” Plan
Two years ago, Starbucks issued a disastrous earnings report that ultimately spelled doom for Howard Schultz's handpicked CEO. On Tuesday, Brian Niccol delivered a milestone quarter that proved his "Back to Starbucks" plan appears to be working. $SBUX https://t.co/5Q7A4A2xVb
Restaurants Must Offer Compact Buns for Modern Diners
Gibson’s is great but restaurants in general need to start having more compact buns to meet the moment
Rice Prices Hit 19-Year Low, Farmers Need Support
Again, wholesale rice prices below pre-war levels (fully reversing a mini panic move earlier in April). On a monthly average basis, rice isn't far away from its lowest level in 19 years. For Asian nations, the problem is that rice is...
Wingstop's Q1 Growth
Really odd first quarter judging by early reports. But Wingstop's 8.7% first-quarter decline is something. That's up 1.4% on a two-year basis but that was a dramatic slowdown from the 15.1% two-year stack in 4Q. $WING
Pure Cycle Secures Starbucks Straw‑Less Lid Customer
$PCT nice customer win for Pure Cycle with Plastic Ingenuity which produces the Starbucks cold drink Straw-Less Lids https://t.co/BxpQAm7MlM
Candy and Energy Drinks Harm Kids; Creatine Is Safe
🚨 🍭While candy, energy drinks & ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are heavily marketed to kids, the science shows real risks. Meanwhile, creatine monohydrate stands out as safe, effective & beneficial especially for active youth athletes. 🥤UPFs, candy & energy drinks = documented...
GLP‑1
Yesterday, I spoke with the CEO of a mega fleet, who said most of his truckload business was doing well, except for one segment: food & beverage. He called the lack of volume from this segment "unusual." I told him...
Regenerative Grazing Isn’t a Climate Fix; Cut Beef
Some people continue to advocate for regenerative grazing as a big climate solution. But it's not. The better answer is to cut back on beef consumption, curb food waste, and rethink the food system. https://drawdown.org/insights/greenwashing-and-denial-wont-solve-beefs-enormous-climate-problems
Starbucks Sees Broad Same‑store Growth and Rising Loyalty
Starbucks earnings call summary: Everybody is generating same-store sales growth; Earnings are up; Cold foam 🔥🔥🔥; Low-income consumers are coming back; Ignore the haters, loyalty is doing fine; Tariffs are fading; So what if everybody is doing Refreshers. $SBUX
McDonald's Refresher Craze Becomes Industry Benchmark
"It's almost a compliment that our Refresher business is being imitated in so many places." -Brian Niccol on roughly every company on the face of the planet adding Refreshers these days.
Starbucks Targets 1,000 Remodels, 8,000 Upgrades Soon
Starbucks has remodeled about 300 stores and expects to get to 1,000 by the end of the yeawr. But it also expects to spruce up 8,000-plus stores "in short order."
Starbucks Lifts Same‑store Sales Target to 5%+
Starbucks raised its expectations for same-store sales this year to 5% or better globally and in the U.S. $SBUX
Starbucks Forecasts Lower Tariffs, Coffee Costs Later 2024
Starbucks expects tariffs and coffee prices to ease in the back half of this year. $SBUX
Starbucks' Top 10 International Markets Finally Post Positive Same‑Store Sales
All 10 of Starbucks' 10 largest international markets generated positive same-store sales for the first time in nine quarters last period. $SBUX
Starbucks Margins Rise Thanks to Growth and Cost Discipline
Starbucks margins are up "We have more work to do, but we're pleased to see the combination of our comp growth and cost discipline starting to show up in margins" - CFO https://t.co/9xXd09aYXO
Airport Traffic Boosts Starbucks Licensed Same‑store Sales
Strong airport demand led to improving same-store sales in the Starbucks licensed business last quarter. $SBUX
Starbucks Rewards Membership Rebounds with 4% YoY Growth
Starbucks Rewards membership grew 4% year-over-year and steadily compared with the previous period, a shift from declines in previous quarters. $SBUX
Cold Foam Fuels 40% Sales Surge at Starbucks
Cold foam drove a lot of sales for Starbucks last quarter. Sales of cold foam rose 40% last quarter in the U.S., thanks to younger consumers and protein. $SBUX
Starbucks Comps Surge 6.2% on Transaction Growth
Starbucks global comps up 6.2%, "led by transaction growth." North America/U.S. up 7.1%, including 4.3% transaction growth. That's the best result since 2023. The company is crediting its new "green apron" service model. Revenues up 8.8% to $9.5B. EPS 45...
Starbucks Pre‑order Limited to One‑hour Advance
Frankly this seems like a no-brainer to be able to do on a delivery app: Starbucks will allow you to pre-order and plan your pick up times in advance. But - apparently only up to one hour ahead of pick-up. #restaurant #delivery...
Subway Debuts $5 Value Menu with 15 Options
Subway is launching its first-ever value menu on April 28, with 11 six-inch subs and four Protein Pocket wraps priced under $5. The Fresh Value Menu includes a rotating $4.99 Sub of the Day, classic sandwiches like the B.L.T. and...
Subway Launches $5 Value Menu, Adding Subs and Protein Pockets
Subway is joining the value menu trend. The sandwich chain, which has been trying to strike the right balance on value for roughly ever, will feature 15 items under $5, mostly 6-inch subs and "Protein Pockets." The menu will include...
California Fast‑food Wage Hike Cuts Staff by 8%
Following California’s fast-food minimum wage increase, new data indicate an average 8% reduction in on-site staffing, suggesting that higher wages have been offset by fewer worker hours or positions. minimumwage
McDonald's Debuts New Refreshers and Dirty Sodas May 6
And here it is, McDonald's new beverage lineup featuring Refreshers and dirty sodas and whatnot, including a dirty soda using Hi-C Orange Lavaburst. It alo comes out on May 6. They include: Strawberry Watermelon Refresher Mango Pineapple Refresher Blackberry Passionfruit Refresher Sprite Berry Blast...
Restaurants and Bars Stuck in Ongoing Affordability Crisis
Restaurants (and bars) have an affordability crisis. While the energy crisis is the most recent challenge, prices have been going up for a myriad of reasons for several years now.
McDonald's Refresh Era Launches, Industry Impact Awaits
The McDonalds refresher era is soft launching today. Will be interesting to see the impact it has on the industry.
Granola Bars Spike Sugar, Not a Healthy Choice
Granola and granola bars is not a healthy option. It just spikes up your sugars
Weird Ice Cream Combo Elicits Puppy‑like Reaction
I just told Autumn that Dairy Queen announced an ice cream cone dipped in Cinnamon Toast Crunch and the sound she made was reminiscent of when a puppy gets separated from its mother
Celsius Profits From Three‑brand Roll‑up, Not Just Drinks
Day 13 of 30: How $CELH Celsius Holdings actually makes money (which one should I do next?) Most people think it's an energy drink brand It's actually 3 brands stacked into a roll-up - and PepsiCo's trucks do most of the heavy lifting Here's...
Robots Revolutionize Home Cooking with Automation
#Robots Take Over the Kitchen: #Automation Meets Cooking by @lukas_m_ziegler #Robotics #EmergingTech #Technology #Innovation #TechForGood https://t.co/rLONiAyTNF
Processed Veggie Foods Aren’t Healthier—Eat Real Fuel
Big companies want you to think vegetarian options are better for you, but they are still processed, and you need more of them to actually fuel yourself. https://t.co/vKVIJ5sOAf
NY Nears Ban on PFAS in Everyday Products
No one wants eggs with a side of “forever chemicals.” New York is so close to passing legislation that will make sure PFAS, a class of chemicals used in everyday products, including in Teflon coated cookware, are no longer on the...
Corn Leads Export Inspections, Over Double Soybeans
Export inspections for the week ending April 23 (mln bu): #corn 64.7, grain sorghum 7.1, #soybeans 23.1, #wheat 13.4 #oatt
Independents Shrink While Chains Slightly Grow in 2025
2025 was a rough year for independent #restaurants. Let's look at the numbers of units; the closures indicate that it remains really challenging for smaller operators to stay afloat: Limited service Chains +1.6% Independents -1.8% Full Service Chains -0.1% Independents -2.6%
Diet Diversity Spans From 20 to 86 Foods, Women Lead
We’re told to “eat a diverse diet”—but how diverse is it in reality? Over 2 weeks: • Lowest 10% consume ~20 unique items • Highest (novelty seekers) reach ~86 Interesting twist: women tend to sample more unique foods than men. Where do you fall? @NatMetabolism https://t.co/08GlVexklU
Discounts Exacerbate Competitors' Thin Store Margins, Says Domino's
Domino's view on competitors' financial weakness on a per-store basis and the impact of heavy discount marketing on that weakness is probably correct. When you layer more discounts onto already-thin margins that's really tough.
Domino's Sees Growth Despite Macro Pressures, Doubts Rivals' Pace
"Significant macro and competitive pressures" starting in March, per Domino's on this earnings call. They say that the QSR pizza category grew. But they don't believe their competitors can keep up. $DPZ
Domino's Predicts Competitor Closures Amid Discount War
Domino's believes that the intense value environment could lead to more closures by competitors as more discounts will pressure already weak profitability at Pizza Hut and Papa Johns. $DPZ
Domino's Same-Store Sales Miss Forecast Amid Weak Demand
After a strong start to 2026, Domino's same-store sales "did not meet our expectations," citing weather, low consumer confidence and heavy discount marketing by competitors. $DPZ
What People Actually Eat Every Two Hours, Revealed
We analyzed 2.6M food & beverage logs from ~20,000 people to uncover (among other insights) what’s consumed every 2 hours across a 24h day. Some usual suspects… and a few surprises. Take a guess—then check the list 👇 https://t.co/ifqEyMnIEp @NatMetabolism https://t.co/AEQgConEUz
Domino's Misses Comps, Shares Slide 5%
Domino’s US comps 0.9%. International down 0.4%. Both lower than expected. Revenue up 3.5% EPS -4.6%. Shares down 5% premarket. $DPZ
India Busts Massive Counterfeit Food and Drug Operation
🚨 INDIA EATING POISON 🚨 Delhi - Fake toothpaste factory: 1,800 filled tubes, 10,000 empty tubes, 1,200 packed units and 130kg of raw material of Sensodyne toothpaste. - Fake Eno sachets: 1 lakh. - Fake Nescafé sachets: 50,000. Ayodhya - 500 cartons of fake Fortune oil...
Beetroot Juice Gains May Be Placebo, Not Performance
Beetroot juice for virtual cycling - placebo, performance or powerless This new study recruited 67 trained cyclists to perform a 20-min virtual cycling time trial after taking either… Beetroot juice (550 mg nitrate) 🥤 Placebo (nitrate-free beetroot juice) To investigate potential placebo effects...