Why Food Manufacturers Are Refocusing on K-12 Foodservice

Over the past several months, Foodservice IP has seen a marked increase in interest from major food manufacturers in the K-12 channel. While K-12 has always been a critical institutional market, the current wave of attention is being driven by three converging forces:...

Gen Z, Millennials, and the New Beverage Landscape

Alcohol moderation, functional ingredients, and the future of on-premise choices For decades, alcohol was the unquestioned centerpiece of socializing among younger adults. Today, that dominance is under review. While college campuses remain hubs for binge drinking,...

Potbelly and RaceTrac: A Different Kind of Deal

  In an industry where partnerships and franchising dominate, RaceTrac’s recent acquisition of Potbelly Sandwich Works is a strategic outlier. Rather than licensing or co-locating a brand within its c-store network, RaceTrac has opted for a full equity purchase—a...

Labor Day 2025: Where Foodservice Stands

The Economic Backdrop As we pause this Labor Day, the broader economic picture is hard to ignore. Rising home prices, higher mortgage rates, and day-to-day inflation have shifted how consumers approach spending. Behavioral economists like Kahneman, Tversky, and Thaler...