Just as comfort food is used to bring joy, curb anxiety and feed the soul, could extravagance do the same? Here are some ways people are useing premium food as a reward in times of restraint.
Segment: Restaurants
Posts Archive
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.
Read More »: The Overseas Brands & Products Succeeding in the U.S.
The Foods and Trends Behind the Year of the Horse (opens in a new tab)
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.
Read Article »: The Foods and Trends Behind the Year of the Horse (opens in a new tab)
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.
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Getting Inspired by Mainland Hawaiian Fare
This month, we’re offering an island escape, sharing buzz on the restaurant concepts, chefs, cookbooks and flavors of Hawaii, especially those found on the mainland. Learn about proteins, cocktails, snacks, sauces and spice blends that could inspire your product pipeline—or home kitchen.
A Look into Responsible Food Packaging
This month, we revisit responsible packaging, and the demand created by new legislation, as well as controversy surrounding recycling. Take inspiration from recent innovations in the U.S. and overseas and consider our four recommendations to focus efforts.
Focusing in on Today’s Food Photography Trends
With food photography powering content in every area from websites to packaging, sales materials, and media, we keep our finger on the pulse of trends in this space. Here are 5 of our current favorite trends.
The Powerful Growth of Asian Grocery in America
We discuss the rise, significance and wide appeal of Asian grocery, as well as key players and formats. And inspired by social media, we shop nearby locations and “share our haul.”
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Podcast Picks and Best Practices
Podcasts are no longer niche. Most adults are listening weekly. In our industry, brands from Trader Joe’s to Crumbl Cookie are getting in on it. This month, we’ll be sharing not only the food, beverage, and restaurant podcasts on our radar, but best practices from our experience in podcast development.
14 Examples of Retail Theater
The term “retail theater” has become synonymous with “in-store experience”. We subscribe to a more pure, undiluted definition – one that holds the term to a higher standard and should be reserved for engagements that meet more of the criteria for live theater. In our opinion, retail theater is rare, but we’ve located 14 examples across the globe that truly deliver.
2 Areas Where Tradition Is Being Upheld
What if resurrecting the past had less to do with novelty and more to do with preserving culture? What if the motivations were purer…say, saving something from extinction? That is precisely what we are seeing. The attempt to preserve “old world traditions” lest they be forgotten.
10 Pop-Up Experiences From 2023
Creating exclusive experiences is no easy task. Let’s explore a range of recent pop-up experiences, to see how they leverage everything from pop culture, to takeovers, and unconventional retail spaces to drive brand engagement and test new product ideas.
Catch the Girl Power Wave
After nearly a century of efforts designed to help young girls reimagine what it means to be one, girls – of all ages – are taking charge.
10 Antidotes to TikTok Food
One of the many common denominators to TikTok food trends is simplicity. Let us propose something a countertrend: things that are hard to make.
Nostalgia: 2 Ways In
The desire to reconnect with things from the past that once brought us joy is not a byproduct of the pandemic, it’s a desire that’s been here all along. What tends to change are the particular items (and decades) consumers yearn for.
A Restaurant Prediction: Dog-Friendly
With dogs an integral part of the family, and extreme pet-bonding taking place while WFH during the pandemic, it’s no wonder we want to take them everywhere. And increasingly, that means out to eat.
The Food Trend That Keeps on Giving: Air
Air is increasingly connected to how we eat, cook and shop. It’s become an ingredient, a method of preparation, a ritual in dieting, a restaurant experience and a growing consideration in sustainability practices and claims.
12 Times Food Became Art
In honor of International Artist Day on October 25th, we’re showcasing art inspired by or made from food. From magic milk to AI generated art to paintings and sculptures, we’ve curated a gallery of food art just for you.
The Slow Ascent of Filipino Cuisine
We’re tapping into the potential of one of Southeast Asia’s most mysterious cuisines, Filipino food. Let us tell you why it’s worthy of your attention.
How to Set a Hard-Working Table
Breakthrough designs in cups, plates, and utensils to help elevate meals and improve the eating experience.
The Industry Circuit
We’re feeling the excitement in the air at the first few in-person food industry events of 2022.
How to Win With Grocery Retail Giants
Align your organization with key retailer priorities.
8 Ways to Command Attention
Consumers want attention for their personal brand. Here’s how you can help.
Natural Products Expo West
f you’re in the food and beverage world, there’s a good chance you’ve seen an article (or 500!) about Natural Products Expo West 2022. There are a lot of great reasons for the coverage, and we can’t wait to share our experience at the show this year!
Unlocking An Unmet Need In Breakfast
Consumers want more excitement out of their first meal of the day. Global breakfasts can provide it.
An Emerging Idea in Sustainability: Powdered
Virtually any food can be reduced to powder. Learn more about how that benefits bottom lines, people and planet.
6 Ways to Be Relevant to Consumers Who Fast
Abstinence from food does not mean a food or beverage brand has to lose out. We’ll show you how to play.
The Right Way to Do Branded Apparel
Consumers have been wearing brand passions on their sleeves for years, but it’s now reached a fever pitch. Learn more about how to get in on the trend.
Are You Catering to the Asian Food & Beverage Demand?
Interest in culturally-diverse cuisines is higher than ever, specifically for Asian offerings. Learn what’s behind their popularity and how it’s showing up on menus, in stores and on social across America.
Read More »: Are You Catering to the Asian Food & Beverage Demand?
Natural Products Expo East
Anna Braun, VP of New Business and Operational Excellence, recaps her experiences and learnings from Expo East. Innovative plant-based products and refreshing non-alcoholic beverages stole the show, along with the excitement of a live, in-person event!
No big research budget? No big deal.
Knowing your consumer helps set your brand up for success. But what happens when there’s no time or budget for some much-needed research? Learn how you can get a good pulse on audience perceptions and pain points with very little investment.
Engaging Buyers Using Augmented Reality
Businesses in the food and beverage industry are employing augmented reality (AR) to bring elements of their brand to life for consumers. From retail to restaurants, creative uses of this tool continue to emerge.
How AI is Advancing Food & Beverage
CPG, retail, and restaurant companies alike are utilizing AI to gain a competitive edge. It’s quickly becoming a valuable tool for businesses in the food and beverage industry to boost customer relationship management, drive product development, forecast performance, and more.
How to Brand With Audio
When it comes to storytelling, the one thing audio can do that visual mediums can’t is: give the eyes a rest. With screen-time at a fever pitch, digital audio can be a welcome, engaging, and memorable solution. Podcasts, social audio, and sonic logos are just a few intriguing elements of this digital listening space.
Clear As Mud
Struggling with what to expect in foodservice? Here’s our take on what foodservice might look like in the future, broken down by segment.
The Language of Color
Color can influence up to 90% of a first impression, and is one of several devices used to convey brand personality and uniqueness.
Why You Should Experiment with Savory Flavors in 2021
2020 was a sweets-filled year, but many signs are pointing to a savory 2021 and beyond.
Read More »: Why You Should Experiment with Savory Flavors in 2021
Creating Mealtime Ambiance
At JT Mega, we pledge to not only support our local restaurants with takeout patronage, but to curb our home cooking fatigue by making all of the kitchen toil worth it.
5 Tips For Branding A Virtual Restaurant
For restaurant operators pursuing virtual concepts, we are offering up our short list of branding advice.
Tripping on Shrooms
We’ve been reading about the emerging superfood status of mushrooms for years. Learn more about their functional benefits, culinary possibilities and new up-and-coming mushroom based products.
Alive With Expression
See a few creative ways consumers are are expressing themselves during the pandemic, including masks, tattoos, and food.
Predictions for Pizza
Imagine the possibilities of the next pizza crusts, cheeses, and various accompaniments that restaurants and retail suppliers might want to consider.
Return of the Automat
Instead of adapting the current restaurant model, what if we created an entirely new model? Time travel to a restaurant concept of the past AND the future.
5 Ideas to Save Breakfast
Breakfast is a tricky business, especially now as consumers are working and schooling from home. We have 5 thought starters for breakfast.
Take Your Best Shot
Tips for better food photography when supporting your favorite local restaurants on social media
Good to Go
What should off-premise dining look like now and once we are through the COVID-19 crisis? In this article we explore some carry-out and delivery options.
The Sea’s Bounty
We dive deep to bring new food and beverage innovations and experiences from the ocean to light.
Restaurant Parting Gifts
Fine dining is raising the bar on the send-off. See what restaurants are sending home with their guests.
