In today’s fast-paced world with little down time, consumers are looking for quick, in-and-out shopping trips that fit into their busy lifestyles, says Susan Viamari, editor of thought leadership at Information Resources Inc. (IRI), Chicago.
Foodservice chain to offer made-to-order soft drinks layered with real fruit and fruit flavors
October 28, 2014
Sonic Drive-In, Oklahoma City, Okla., introduced new Sonic Splash Hand-Crafted Sodas that offer customers a lighter artisanal beverage option, the company says. Sonic Splash sodas are made to order to guests’ taste specifications, starting with sparkling filtered water and infused with a selection of real fruit or fruit flavors.
American consumers’ desires for organic products continue to gain steam. According to data from the Washington, D.C.-based Organic Trade Association (OTA), sales of organic products reached $35.1 billion in 2013, an increase of 11.5 percent compared with the previous year.
Nearly half of consumers seek greater beverage variety in full-service restaurants
September 16, 2014
Approximately one-fifth (21 percent) of consumers today say that beverages play a very important role in deciding which restaurants to visit for meals, according to Technomic Inc., Chicago.
Racks designed to entice bottled water sales at foodservice locations
August 20, 2014
Kraft Foodservice, a division of Northfield, Ill.-based Kraft Foods Group Inc., is offering free merchandising racks for its Mio liquid water enhancers. Designed to boost bottled water sales at foodservice locations, the company is offering two options: a hitchhiker rack or a cooler door rack.
Last month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) initiated its new Smart Snacks in School nutrition standards, which affect the sale of foods and beverages that are not part of federally supported meals programs.
Partnership will feature organic offerings at Cinemark theaters nationwide
July 15, 2014
Cinemark Holdings Inc., Plano, Texas, announced that its chain of theaters now offer Honest Kids organic juice drinks. Starting immediately, the beverages are available in all of the company’s 334 cinemas nationwide. Honest Kids organic beverages are available for sale individually as well as in Cinemark’s Movie Snack Packs.
Whether overcoming residuals from the economic recession or more immediate factors, the foodservice channel has faced its share of challenges in recent years.