It’s always a gamble when companies mess with a product beloved by consumers, as Mondelez found out when it decided to change the shape of its Toblerone chocolate bar in the U.K., pulling a bit of a Grocery Shrink Ray move in the process. [More]
food
McDonald’s Big Mac Getting Both Bigger And Smaller
By 11.7.16
Even though McDonald’s franchisees have complained about having their corporate overlords force too many limited-time menu items on them, the fast food giant continues to tinker. This time, it’s the company’s signature sandwich, the Big Mac, which is getting both smaller and bigger versions in 2017. [More]
McDonald’s Preparing To Launch Mobile Order-And-Pay Tech Next Year
By 11.7.16
While many fast food chains already offer mobile ways to order and/or pay for your food before you ever step foot in the restaurant, McDonald’s has yet to launch its own version of that kind of technology. But the company says it’s now finally getting ready to roll out a new mobile order-and-pay service, slated to arrive next year. [More]
McDonald’s Suing Florence For $20M After City Says No To Location Near Famed Cathedral
By 11.4.16
When you think of historic landmarks and centuries-old architecture, do you picture the Golden Arches gleaming nearby? If not, then you agree with the city of Florence, Italy, which recently put the kibosh on McDonald’s plans for a new location near its famed Duomo cathedral. The fast food giant has filed a $20 million lawsuit in response. [More]
Popeyes Customer Dropping Lawsuit Over Lack Of Knife With Fried Chicken Order
By 11.4.16
Well, that was quick: only a few days after filing a lawsuit against Popeyes claiming that the lack of a knife in his order caused him to choke on his fried chicken, a Mississippi lawyers is dropping his complaint. [More]
Everyone Relax: Avocado Prices Are Expected To Drop Soon
By 11.4.16
If you’ve been hoarding avocados, stop. First of all because what are you going to do with them once they’re ripe, and also because last month’s shortage is apparently over. [More]
WI Scientists Study Important Question Of How To Keep Cheese Curds Squeaky Longer
By 11.3.16
If you’ve ever been fortunate enough to pluck a Wisconsin cheese curd from the bag and pop it into your mouth*, you know how important it is to hear the cheese squeak as you chew, thus, indicating its exquisite freshness. Alas, after a day or two, the squeak — and a lot of the joy — is gone. Some intrepid scientists wanted to know: is there any way to extend the squeak so folks outside of Wisconsin can experience this wonderful feeling? [More]
Nutella’s Makers Want To Convince FDA That Chocolate Spread Isn’t Just For Dessert
By 11.2.16
When you think of sweet, hazelnut chocolate spread, are you imagining eating it for breakfast or for dessert? If you’re in the latter camp, you agree with the current stance of federal regulators. The makers of Nutella are now trying to make the case, however, that the spread should be considered more of a breakfast item. [More]
Get Ready For Cashew Prices To Go Up Amid Spike In Popularity
By 11.1.16
The good news, for cashews, is that they’ve recently become a lot more popular than other tree nuts like pistachios and walnuts (sorry, pistachios and walnuts). But the bad news, for consumers, is that that spike in popularity is putting a strain on the global cashew supply, which could cause an uptick in prices for consumers. [More]
Sonic Bringing “Pancake On A Stick” Back Next Spring
By 10.31.16
Is it too much for you to handle utensils in the morning? Sonic Drive-In thinks it has the answer in the form of a blast from the past: the chain is bringing back its previously popular “Pancake on a Stick” to restaurant menus this fall. [More]
U.S. Demand For Coffee At A Record High Thanks To Millennials
By 10.31.16
I don’t know what you picture when you heard the word “millennial,” but me, I just imagine a crowd of companies and brands trailing behind someone, begging them to buy whatever it is they’re selling. One product that doesn’t need to chase the younger set is coffee, demand for which is expected to reach a record high in this country. [More]
Shoppers Will Spend More Money On Carving Pumpkins Than On Buying Pumpkin Products
By 10.31.16 — Updated: 11.2.16
Every fall it seems like all anyone can ever talk about is “Oh I can’t believe someone is selling pumpkin spice potato chips” or “Really, do we need pumpkin spice shoelaces?” So it may be refreshing to know that when it comes to pumpkins, we’re spending more money to carve them up than we are on buying into the latest pumpkin-flavored craze. [More]
USDA Proposes Importing Avocados From Colombia Amid Shortage
By 10.27.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Amid a recent avocado shortage linked to a growers’ strike in Mexico and a drought in California affecting crops, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is proposing an amendment to existing fruits and vegetables regulations to allow the country to import Hass avocados from Colombia. [More]
Groceries & Millennials: They’re Buying Less, Shopping Online
By 10.27.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
From Whole Foods launching a supposedly hipper 365 brand of stores to Target’s mini-stores aimed at attracting young shoppers, retailers across the board have millennials in their crosshairs. But a new report suggests those efforts have been for naught, with younger shoppers continuing to seek out e-commerce options when it comes to grocery shopping. [More]
Chipotle Cutting Off All Investments Into Asian-Inspired ShopHouse Brand
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
In the midst of trying to convince customers to come back and eat at Chipotle a year after its national food safety crisis first started, it seems the chain doesn’t have the resources to cultivate other efforts, like its Asian-inspired ShopHouse chain. [More]
Google Maps Now Lets Users Order Food Delivery
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
Last month, Google announced that it would provide users with the ability to hail a ride from services like Uber and Lyft when searching for direction inside Maps. Now, the company is taking that idea and expanding it to food delivery: adding the option for users to order food when searching for restaurants on the Maps app. [More]
Arby’s Will Offer Venison Sandwiches This Fall In 6 Deer-Hunting States
By 10.26.16 — Updated: 10.31.16
In its continuing quest to convince hungry consumers that it is the meat destination, Arby’s is adding a new protein to the menu in certain locations this fall: customers will be able to order venison meat sandwiches at participating restaurants in six states where deer hunting is popular. [More]
Chipotle Hopes To Coax More Customers Back With Dessert, Better Online Ordering
By 10.25.16
It was a year ago next week that the national Chipotle food safety crisis began on Halloween, when the chain shut down restaurants in Washington state and in Oregon after reports of E. coli infection in some customers. Things haven’t been going well for the chain since then, with sales plummeting, then slowly recovering with free food promotions and a loyalty program. The chain’s sales still haven’t fully recovered, but Chipotle hopes to coax customers back with some dessert. [More]
