From Fax to Apps: The New Digital Supply Chain

For decades, foodservice distribution relied on phone calls, fax orders, and proprietary portals owned by broadline giants like Sysco and US Foods. But today, a new class of digital platforms—Pepper, Cut+Dry, and others—are rewriting the rules of engagement. While...

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...

Stating Your Purpose to Build a Better Strategy

  At Foodservice IP, we believe that strategy starts—and ends—with purpose. Not slogans, not dashboards, and certainly not a barrage of data points with no connective tissue. Purpose is about the unique value your firm brings to the table. For food manufacturers,...