News and Perspectives

New packaging regulations pose big challenges for the FAFH industry

An emerging wave in packaging regulation is giving new currency to the old maxim about the devil being in the details. But even with the particulars largely undetermined, food-away-from-home businesses can sense an impending mess.

White House sues California, blaming it for high egg prices

The Trump Administration has filed a lawsuit to stop California from enforcing an animal-welfare regulation mandating more cage space for egg-laying chickens, saying the measure did nothing for humans except raise prices to historic levels.

US Foods, PFG said to be considering a merger

Foodservice distribution giant US Foods is exploring the possibility of acquiring competitor Performance Food Group (PFG), the Bloomberg news service reported Friday.

Candymaker Ferrero to buy Kellogg for $3.1B

Food-away-from-home giant WK Kellogg Co. has agreed to be acquired by candymaker The Ferrero Group for $3.1 billion.

FAFH businesses rally to help Texas flood survivors and rescuers

In the wake of the flashfloods that killed well over 100 people Friday in Texas, businesses from all sectors of the food-away-from-home industry are stepping up to aid survivors and the rescuers searching for the nearly 200 people missing.

ICYMI: This week’s sleeper developments in the FAFH business

Summer is one of the busiest seasons for food-away-from-home businesses, with operators often so focused on sales that they miss key developments occurring around them. Here are a few of the under-the-radar news items that shouldn’t escape attention.

Trump stirs up more uncertainty on the eve of tariffs’ D-Day

Most countries that ship foods and other food-away-from-home supplies into the United States will be informed starting today of how much of a tariff will be levied on those imports, with the implementation date now pushed back to Aug. 1.

If AI is still Greek to you, here’s an explanation in plain English

Everyone seems to be talking about artificial intelligence. But understanding the breakthrough technology is a different matter, as studies and anecdotal evidence readily attest.

Food producers will get some protection from immigration crackdown, Trump says

The White House is developing a way to keep the administration’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants from hampering the nation’s food production, President Donald Trump revealed over the weekend.

Del Monte Foods files Ch. 11 bankruptcy

Food giant Del Monte Foods Corp. II said it is seeking a buyer after filing for Ch. 11 bankruptcy protection. The company has also committed to a financial restructuring in collaboration with several holders of its debt.

Here’s what’s happening at the forward edge of FAFH technology

One of technology’s challenges for food-away-from-home executives is the sheer speed of change. Today’s stunning advance is tomorrow’s fodder for a history reel.

What’s the real story on seed oils?

The nation’s leading health officer has demonized it as a dire threat to American health. Scientists and nutritionists counter that it’s been a wellness breakthrough for a nation that loves its fried foods.

Still on the fence about AI? How about taking a test-drive?

Skeptical of all the breathless assertions that AI is about to revolutionize business? Then risk having your socks blown off by a test-drive of the near-term capabilities for the food-away-from-home industry.

Tariff fears had more effect on FAFH sales than initially revealed

Sales within the lodging and food-away-from-home industries fell by $4.8 billion during the first quarter as consumers shifted dollars to stockpiling imported goods, according to revised data from the U.S. Department of Commerce.

June 2025: Welcome Our New Members

Meet the newest members of our community! Learn about Mike’s Hot Honey and Curion, two innovative companies joining our network. Discover how membership connects you with exclusive insights, resources, and collaboration opportunities.

News roundup: Odd developments in the FAFH universe

Blame it on the heat. Whatever the cause, the food-away-from-home business gave rise to some unusual developments over the last week or so. Here’s what we mean.

Texas imposes a new labeling requirement on food manufacturers

A bill signed into law Sunday by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will require packaged foods sold within the state to carry a warning if the products contain dyes, additives or other chemicals banned by nations other than the United States.

Distribution roundup: Sysco settles, SpartanNash acquired, UniPro’s Strull to exit

The second quarter is proving a hot one for news about distributors serving the food-away-from-home business. Here’s a sampling of recent developments.

5 takeaways from UMass-Amherst's Chef Culinary Conference

Top college dining leaders gathered at UMass-Amherst to explore the future of campus foodservice, from electric kitchens and wellness trends to shifting Gen Z tastes and the evolving plant-based movement.

Kraft Heinz, General Mills pledge to eliminate artificial dyes

Food-away-from-home giants Kraft Heinz and General Mills both pledged Tuesday to complete the elimination of artificial dyes from all their products.

Therese Gearhart to step down as CEO of Women’s Foodservice Forum

The Women’s Foodservice Forum is searching for a new chief executive after Therese Gearhart announced she will retire from the position after a successor is hired.

Instacart CMO Laura Jones: Staying chill on what’s happening in marketing

When Laura Jones mentions taking a plunge, the CMO of the Instacart food-delivery service isn’t always referring to a dive into unfamiliar marketing endeavors, though she professes to do that often these days.

Trump shields some FAFH workers from immigration crackdown

The Trump Administration has directed immigration authorities to ease their roundup of undocumented workers employed by food growers, meat and seafood processors, restaurants, and hotels.

Tech guru Jon Miller: your email marketing program may be stuck in the past

Forget every tenet you’ve learned about B2B email marketing and filling the sales pipeline with qualified prospects. Those onetime killer practices have lost their power, says serial tech disruptor Jon Miller.

Cyberattack shuts down food distributor UNFI

Deliveries to the food-away-from-home customers of distributor United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) have been disrupted by a cyberattack on the company’s technology systems, executives have confirmed. The distributor said Monday in a securities

GSP Society members at CIA Leadership Awards

Gold & Silver Plate winners were out in force at the Culinary Institute of America’s 18th Annual Leadership Awards, a celebration of what the “Harvard of Foodservice” calls the industry’s tastemakers.

From the vault: How Ted Minah changed the C&U segment

Minah's head-turning work would earn him a Silver Plate in the College & Universities category in 1968.

Catching up with Julia Stewart, Class of 2005

After climbing to the loftiest heights of the chain-restaurant business, former IHOP and Applebee’s chief Julia Stewart is back in an entrepreneurial role. The 2005 Silver Plate winner (Chain-Full Service) has founded a healthcare technology business

The inside story of how Gold and Silver Plate winners are chosen

Peter Romeo's new status clears the way for a partial revelation of what happens in the jury room. But don’t expect a motherlode of insider gossip about any nominee. The imperative to keep the deliberations secret still stands. And part of the jury’s

Alcohol distributor RNDC says it’s had its fill of California’s difficulties

The nation’s second-largest wine and spirits distributor is pulling out of California, citing the high costs and frustrations of supplying the nation’s largest food-away-from-home market.

Salmonella outbreak triggers a major egg recall

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) is advising the food-away-from-home industry to check its coolers and kitchens for whole brown eggs supplied by August Egg Co., which is warning of a possible salmonella contamination.

Government roundup: FAFH wins some major breaks

The heavy hand of government may be feeling a little lighter this week to the food-away-from-home business, a sign lawmakers and regulators are hearing the trade’s complaints about well-intentioned initiatives delivering unforeseen negative consequen

GLP-1 drugs are already changing dining-out habits, study finds

GLP-1 appetite suppressant drugs are reshaping dining-out behaviors, with users opting for smaller portions, healthier foods, and fewer indulgent drinks. New research reveals a shift in consumer choices that could significantly impact the food-away-f

National Restaurant Association bolsters its c-suite with two hires

The National Restaurant Association has added a veteran product-development executive and a seasoned association manager to its c-suite in what CEO Michelle Korsmo described as key moves to keeping the trade group relevant.

Three surprises from PFG’s updated growth plan

Broadline distributor Performance Food Group (PFG) has grown rapidly in recent years through a combination of acquisitions and deeper penetration of the food-away-from-home market.

May 2025: Welcome Our New Members

Meet innovative manufacturers like Long Weekend and MyForest Foods, and service providers like Oracle NetSuite. See how these companies are shaping the future of foodservice and explore the benefits of joining our growing membership network.

We asked AI how it expects to change our industry

Everyone agrees that artificial intelligence will have a profound effect on the food-away-from-home industry, but that’s where the consensus ends. Will it prove as disruptive as smart phones or computers? Or is everyone hyperventilating over nothing

Government roundup: FAFH business scores some wins, but...

Amid the uncertainty over tariffs and taxes, the food-away-from-home industry has scored several clear legislative victories at the state and local levels.

An interview with AI on how it expects to change our industry

Here’s the second half of our interview with ChatGPT on the projected impact it will make on the food-away-from-home industry.

Court’s decision further muddies the tariff picture

As if the tariff situation wasn’t confusing enough, the picture has been further scrambled by Wednesday’s court ruling that President Trump lacked the authority to impose most of the current and planned import duties he’s set.

Brand loyalty takes a hit amid limited-service chains’ uncertainties

Brand loyalty is slipping among limited-service restaurant patrons, as half now switch brands due to price, quality, or menu appeal—trends that vary by generation, according to new research.

Employers balk at LAX’s $30-an-hour wage

Hospitality employers near LAX are pushing back on a plan to raise the minimum wage to $30 an hour by 2028, citing rising costs and concerns over affordability during the upcoming Los Angeles Olympics.

Texas is about to make THC products illegal again

Texas is set to become the first state to roll back the legalization of recreational THC products, including the hemp-infused packaged beverages that have become popular additions to convenience-store coolers.

What surprised a longtime attendee at this year’s National Restaurant Association Show

During my first National Restaurant Association Show, fellow attendees were all but exclaiming hallelujahs over one of the products being hawked. An exhibitor who might have trained as a carnival barker was touting an advance certain to revolutionize

New ranking shows which gas stations have the best food

USA Today ranked Kwik Trip the top gas station for food in 2025, highlighting its fresh bakery and grab-and-go options. Other top picks include Royal Farms, Casey’s, QuikTrip, and Maverik—all praised for quality, freshness, and value.

Tomorrow's FAFH execs get a preview of possible careers at Education Foundation Summit

Students pursuing a career in the food-away-from-home business got a high-def picture of what their future might be like—and practical advice on plotting the journey—during a day-long event with leaders from the supplier side of the trade.

The stars came out for the FAFH industry’s big night, the Gold and Silver Plates Awards Celebration

Foodservice royalty came out in their finest on Saturday to recognize eight new inductees into the ranks of winners of the Silver Plate Awards.

Distribution drivers push back on driverless trucks

Food distributors have struggled for years to recruit enough drivers for their trucks, but unions representing the diminished labor pool are pushing back hard on the adoption of driverless vehicles as a solution.

Prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award Goes to Kevin Hochman

Kevin Hochman, CEO & President of Brinker International, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Gold Plate Award. Honored for his leadership and industry impact, Hochman was selected from eight Silver Plate winners representing excellence.

FAFH prices continue to rise faster than grocery charges

Menu prices continued to climb in April as grocery prices fell by the steepest margin since 2020, according to newly released federal data, widening a gap that has the food-away-from-home business struggling to pull consumers out of their home kitche

‘No tax on tips’ makes it into Republicans’ big reform bill

President Trump’s campaign pledge to exclude workers’ tips from their taxable income has moved a giant step closer to becoming a reality, with Republican lawmakers incorporating the break in the tax reform bill they released Monday.

Government Roundup: New developments affecting the FAFH business

A summary of recent government actions, including U.S.-China tariff changes, universal school meals in New York, federal water regulation rollbacks, immigration audits in D.C., and new FDA-approved natural food dyes.

FAFH industry needs people to eat breakfast at sit down restaurants

Breakfast offers a vast array of options, but the occasion has changed dramatically over 25 years. While some operators have evolved, others still serve the same old fare, missing the mark with today’s more dynamic and demanding consumers.

Ted Fowler’s extraordinary restaurant career garners 2025 Legends Award

Midway through the career that earned him this year’s prestigious Legends Award from the National Restaurant Association, Ted Fowler remarked to a gathering of fellow industry leaders that he felt like the turtle who finds itself perched atop a fence

Fancier lemonades are spilling across FAFH menus

Fancier lemonades are flooding food-away-from-home menus as major chains like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, IHOP, and Taco Bell refresh the classic drink with exotic flavors and dessert-style twists to tap into consumer cravings.

C-stores have some complaints for their supply chains

Convenience stores have significant gripes about their foodservice suppliers and distributors, with more than 1 in 10 blaming a lack of support as the reason they’re unable to capture more of the food-away-from-home market.

Dairy suppliers agree to replace artificial dyes in K-12 products

In an early victory for the Trump Administration’s Make America Healthy Again initiative, dairy suppliers have agreed to remove artificial dyes from products they provide to schools participating in federal nutrition programs.

A new marketing channel is coming to the FAFH market

If social media felt like a ground-shaking advance in food-away-from-home marketing, get ready for another seismic shift. Retailers are already hailing a fast-spreading new way of delivering promotional messages directly to customers.

Food Away from Home industry is already feeling an impact from tariffs—for better and worse

Tariffs are already impacting the Food Away From Home industry, shaking consumer confidence and shifting spending habits. Some brands saw sales gains from perceived value, while others, like McDonald’s and Sysco, reported declines.

April 2025: Welcome Our New Members

Meet our newest members—from plant-rich burgers and premium frozen foods to national egg marketing and cutting-edge business tools, these companies bring innovation, efficiency, and solutions to the industry.

Sysco plans to test a cash-and-carry venture

Sysco is giving the cash-and-carry business a try. The distribution giant told financial analysts Tuesday morning that it intends to open two Sysco-to-Go outlets in its home city of Houston as a test. Access to the club-style stores will apparently b

What’s looming in state legislatures for the FAFH industry

The Trump White House has been a wellspring of regulatory activity with implications for the food-away-from-home business, but states haven’t been idle, either. Recent days have brought a flurry of state legislative and regulatory proposals.

C-stores and QSRs compete for food-buying customers

No line between food-away-from-home segments may be fading as quickly as the already-faint boundary between quick-service restaurants (QSRs) and convenience stores.

Consumers say they’d pay more for better to-go packaging

Restaurant customers may be wincing from today’s takeout prices, but a majority would accept an increase if the to-go packaging was improved, according to a new report from the National Restaurant Association.

Every now & then expect the unexpected: 71 years of Silver and Gold Plates

You might think that 71 years of practice makes for a perfectly executed award program. History tells us otherwise. Over the decades, the Gold and Silver Plate Award ceremonies have had their share of twists, surprises good and bad, and even

FDA outlines a plan for voluntarily eliminating artificial food dyes

The FDA plans to phase out artificial, petroleum-based food dyes in favor of natural alternatives. While the shift is voluntary, officials expect broad industry cooperation. A timeline and new approvals for natural dyes are forthcoming,

Restaurant chains share their tariff defenses at RLC 2025

If there was an overriding theme to the 2025 Restaurant Leadership Conference, it had to be uncertainty.

Only the very best win a Gold Plate Award. Here's why

Appreciating the rigors of the Silver and Gold Plate selection process is crucial to understanding why the honors remain the most prestigious in the food-away-from-home industry.

HHS to announce the phase-out of artificial food dyes

The Trump Administration will announce a plan to phase out petroleum-based artificial food dyes from the U.S. food supply. HHS and the FDA will detail the initiative.

The fog has yet to lift on what tariffs will mean for the FAFH business

Tariff uncertainty clouds the food-away-from-home industry as shifting White House policies spark confusion, cost concerns, and contingency planning—leaving operators scrambling to adapt amid volatile trade rules and rising import duties.

Foodservice was c-stores' growth engine in 2024, NACS says

Foodservice fueled growth in c-stores in 2024, rising to nearly 29% of in-store revenues and 40% of gross profits, offsetting fuel and cigarette sales declines, according to NACS. Prepared foods led the surge, especially in breakfast and hot offering

Winning a Silver Plate can be a family tradition. Here's proof

For an industry blasted as a dead-end career choice, the food-away-from-home business abounds with individuals who’ve followed their parents into the trade, knowing full well the life they’ve selected. Just look at how many successive generations hav

Congressional group pushes for SNAP changes benefiting restaurants

A bipartisan bill aims to let SNAP recipients buy hot, ready-to-eat meals from restaurants and convenience stores, reversing a long-standing ban and expanding food access for low-income families. The legislation faces uncertain prospects in Congress.

Whole milk could return to schools receiving federal aid

Congress is considering a bipartisan bill to allow whole milk in schools receiving federal aid, citing improved student milk consumption, reduced waste, and health benefits.

More particulars emerge on Trump’s tariffs

The White House released details on Trump’s tariffs, including exemptions for food and beverage imports under USMCA, new implementation dates, and surcharges on EU goods. The restaurant industry remains concerned about the impact.

Trump reveals his tariff plan: 10% on all imports, more on goods from protectionist nations

Trump announced new tariffs, imposing a 10% baseline on all imports and up to 46% on goods from protectionist nations. He claims the measures will boost U.S. manufacturing and lower consumer prices. The highest tariff, 46%, targets Vietnamese imports

Five years later: How foodservice leaders lead differently in the post-pandemic world

Five years after the pandemic reshaped foodservice, industry leaders share how they’ve adapted—embracing technology, off-premise dining, and new leadership mindsets.

This is not your father’s Gold and Silver Plate event

Anyone who’s not attended the Gold and Silver Plate ceremony since the industry’s premier awards event was recast post-pandemic will likely be surprised by this year’s celebration on May 17.

Drinking up knowledge at the Bar & Restaurant Expo

The mood was far from somber, but the aim clearly was to learn, from the presenters and from one another.

March 2025: Welcome Our New Members

From custom ingredient systems and sustainable food products to premium coffee and specialty oils, these industry leaders offer innovative solutions for foodservice and manufacturing.

Administration makes deep cuts in two food-safety watchdog agencies

The Trump Administration is cutting 3,500 FDA and 2,400 CDC jobs as part of an HHS reorganization, reducing staff by nearly 25%.

Bar & Restaurant Expo’s Bar of the Year Is...

A highlight of the Bar & Restaurant Expo is the presentation of the annual Industry Excellence Awards, a recognition of the nation’s top independent restaurants and bars.

The history of foodservice is told in the list of Gold Plate Award winners

If there were a Foodservice Hall of Fame, the exhibits not to miss would be ones honoring past winners of the Gold Plate Award, the Most Valuable Player designation of the food-away-from-home industry.

Jessica Shelly

Her career path has focused on food safety and celebrating diverse dining traditions in an often-underestimated foodservice segment: elementary and secondary schools. Her efforts give the “scholars” she serves a heads’ up to getting ahead.

Toni Watkins

Moving the needle on healthcare foodservice quality from bland as cardboard to delicious and nutritious isn’t easy. But we know a remarkable operator who not only set out to do just that, but succeeded way beyond expectations.

West Virginia bans dyes in school meals starting Aug. 1

West Virginia will ban six artificial dyes in school meals starting Aug. 1, expanding to all food sales by 2028. The law, signed by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, carries fines and jail time for violations.

Culinary Highlights of COEX 2025

From innovative dishes at the opening reception to chef-led creations at Menu-a-thon, immerse yourself in the flavors that defined IFMA COEX 2025 in Kansas City.

How RFK, Jr.’s MAHA plan could affect the food-away-from-home business

RFK Jr.’s MAHA plan could bring major changes to the food-away-from-home industry, from avian flu policies to restrictions on seed oils and artificial dyes. Discover how his push for “radical transparency” might reshape food safety, ingredient regula

FDA delays Traceability Rule by 30 months

The FDA has delayed compliance with the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months, giving the food industry more time to adapt to strict recordkeeping requirements. The rule aims to enhance food safety but faced industry concerns over complexity.

Mary Molt

There's a recognized manual for high-volume cooking that is used nationwide and has been maintained since the 1930s. The volume’s most recent author, and an extraordinary industry expert, is Dr. Mary Molt, who has kept “Food for Fifty” current for th

AI figures large in this year’s Kitchen Innovation Award winners

AI-driven kitchen innovations take center stage at the 2025 Kitchen Innovation Awards, recognizing cutting-edge equipment that enhances efficiency and automation. From AI grill monitors to robotic fry stations, these breakthroughs will be showcased a

Van Eure

It wasn’t her original calling, but successfully running a massive restaurant beloved by the local community and celebrated by the national press became Van Eure’s lifelong passion. She’s still at it today.

PepsiCo buys poppi prebiotic soda for $1.95B

In a nod to the changes reshaping the U.S. soft drink market, PepsiCo has agreed to buy the upstart soda brand poppi for $1.95 billion.

Our New Focus on The News

The association is expanding its commitment to fact-based industry insights with a new news and media platform. Led by veteran journalist Peter Romeo, this initiative will provide timely updates, analysis, and expert perspectives on legislative and b

Co-branding spreads across the food-away-from-home universe

Co-branding is surging in the food-away-from-home industry, from quick-service giants to convenience stores. Despite challenges, brands are leveraging dual concepts for efficiency and growth.

How the Trump Administration plans to reduce egg prices

The Trump administration is unveiling a five-point plan to combat soaring egg prices, including boosting imports, restricting exports, and investing $1 billion in biosecurity, farmer aid, and avian flu prevention.

Ruth Fertel

Just how did that restaurant name come to be? She was a struggling single mother that, without any prior industry experience, grew a failing business into a steakhouse juggernaut....with a quirky name. Ruth Fertel’s story has inspired many. Read her

McDonald’s shifts to a category-management model for key menu components

McDonald’s is restructuring its menu strategy by adopting a category-management model for beef, chicken, and beverages/desserts, aiming to boost sales and agility.

Non-browning bananas are now a reality

A British company has developed a non-browning banana, reducing food waste for retailers and foodservice providers. Approved for commercial production in the Philippines, the gene-edited variety resists browning even after being cut.

The public is ready for reusable to-go cups, citywide test finds

A citywide test in Petaluma, CA, proved consumers and restaurants are ready to adopt reusable to-go cups. Led by major brands like Starbucks and McDonald’s, the initiative saw 220,000 cups returned and reused.

News & Perspectives