Meal kit companies had sizzling sales in the early months of COVID-19, as consumers turned to subscription services to fulfill basic needs. But in recent years, the industry has seen challenges related to seasonal demand, rising inflation, and high operational and marketing costs. In fact, some meal kit companies like Blue Apron and HelloFresh announced … Continued

Despite high inflation and rising menu prices, full-service restaurants (FSRs) have been staging a comeback. Consumer transaction data reveals that for major FSR competitors—Bloomin’ Brands (NASDAQ: BLMN), The Cheesecake Factory Inc (NASDAQ: CAKE), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Inc (NASDAQ: CBRL), Darden Restaurants (NYSE: DRI), Denny’s Corp (NASDAQ: DENN), and Dine Brands Global (NYSE: DIN)—sales … Continued

The return of seasonal offerings like the pumpkin spice latte (or “PSL”)—which launched at Starbucks (NASDAQ: SBUX) this year on August 30—coincided with a noticeable uptick in weekly U.S. sales for the coffee chain. Looking at Starbucks’ sales volume during fall menu launches over the past four years, U.S. weekly sales were also highest during … Continued

Earlier this year, Chipotle Mexican Grill (NYSE: CMG) reiterated its plan to more than double its retail footprint in the U.S. and Canada, with a special focus on increasing its drive-thru capabilities. During the pandemic, the fast casual chain experienced strong growth in its online sales—which are still elevated in 2022—as well as gradual recovery … Continued

In July 2022, the grocery industry reportedly experienced the biggest year-over-year price hikes since the 1970s, affected by factors such as inflation and ongoing supply chain issues. So how has consumer spending at specific supermarket chains fared against this backdrop? Using consumer transaction data, we analyzed how U.S. consumer spending at major grocery store companies—including … Continued

Instant delivery companies proliferated early in the pandemic, especially in urban markets like New York City and Boston. But for many of these companies, their life cycle has also been ultrafast. In recent months, instant delivery competitors including Jokr, Buyk, and Fridge No More have permanently shut down or ceased operations in the U.S. However, one of the more established rapid delivery companies, Gopuff, is continuing to expand into new domestic and international markets.