Thought for Food™
And what it means for your business
The Overseas Brands & Products Succeeding in the U.S.
While the U.S. once held a monopoly on innovative ideas, overseas chains are moving on missed opportunity in restaurants, grocery aisles, liquor stores, and even retail. Here, we highlight some noteworthy brands and suggest ways to position yourself for success.
Nourishing the Mental Health of Your Consumers
From burnout to loneliness, nearly half of consumers cite mental health as a top issue. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, we’re sharing ideas for both our industry and our personal lives—like sensorial experiences, functional ingredients and finding joy in cooking something weird!
Home-Run Stadium Food Trends
The MLB regular season opener on March 25 heightens our collective anticipation of spring, and with it, our craving for stadium food. To get an idea of the common denominators, we took a look at venue trends, noteworthy concessions across the globe, and opportunities to play.
The Foods and Trends Behind the Year of the Horse
February marks the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, defining 2026 as a year of action, energy and movement, where the overall spirit is about blazing a trail and taking bold risks. Let’s look at how food-oriented brands are participating in the festivities.
Exploring the Possibilities within Small-Plate Culture
The demand for smaller portions is becoming a space for menu-makers to play in. To spark inspiration, we’re putting a spotlight on small-plate culture, highlighting the uniqueness of dishes along with possibilities for interpretation.
Navigating the Evolving U.S. Food System
As the U.S. food system evolves and consumer behavior continues to shift, the effects on the food industry are becoming clearer by the day. Let’s explore the key topics that the country—and the world—currently have eyes on.