5 takeaways from Day 1 of the Virtual Marketing & Sales Conference

The event, presented by IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, offered up expert insights for driving growth in a tricky market.

June 19: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Walmart Depots, RaceTrac-Potbelly and more

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

FDA gets mixed results in a test of food traceability readiness

Most participants in the real-world trial were able to meet the requirements, but the agency concluded that further prep is needed.

What celebs have worked in restaurants? A better question might be, Who hasn’t?

The industry has provided work to some of the biggest names in fields ranging from crime to politics. Here’s a look at some of the more surprising examples.

Here’s proof the MAHA movement will be a midterm election issue

The controversial health initiative is figuring into the platforms of both candidates for the governorship of Iowa.

Fedele Bauccio to step down as Bon Appetit CEO

The staunch advocate of local, sustainable foods will be succeeded later this year by Compass’ Canadian chief, Saajid Kahn.

Want to hitch your sales to the protein boom? Here’s what to know

Consumers are now far more interested in a menu item’s protein content than in its calorie count. Here’s how that shift is affording an opportunity.

Despite the lack of visible action, new packaging regs haven’t stalled

EPR initiatives are under consideration in at least 14 more states, with no pre-emptive activity evident on the federal level.

June 15: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Specialty distributor suspects it could be a takeover target

HF Foods says it’s learned an unknown party may be amassing its stock.

Want to look smarter? Give your FAFH vocabulary these updates

The market (and some lawmakers) are altering what’s meant by familiar industry terms.

Before Americans went car crazy, restaurants found a growth partner in railroads

The industry grew in its early days literally alongside railways. No dining establishment was more famous than the nation’s first restaurant chain, Harvey House.

Menu inflation quickens in May, widening the gap with grocery prices

New BLS figures show FAFH prices are now running 3.5% above where they were a year ago.

Purchasing co-ops not on your radar? Learn why they should be

A session of the upcoming Virtual Sales & Marketing conference will look at Denny’s new initiative and why more chains are setting up the purchasing formats for franchisees.

FAFH industry learns how AI is already changing the business

A one-day Tastewise summit focused on how the technology is actually being used to develop products.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Walmart adds restaurant delivery, Whole Foods launches Supper Club

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

June 5: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Media Sponsorships America250

The series will run through July, the 250th anniversary of that initial step toward the creation of the United States of America. Interested in sponsoring installments of our special report on 250 years of American dining?

Some key FAFH figures of the last 250 years were real clowns

Not to mention cows, Quakers and tigers with a booming voice. Join us for a look back at some of the mascots who’ve shaped the business.

FAFH industry catches World Cup fever

The massive soccer event is a chance for brands across many segments to market to a global stage.

Hilton pushes further into C&U hospitality with new hotel line

The lodging giant intends to develop a string of properties that specifically target college-campus visitors, including visiting sports teams.

Beverage LTOs flooded the chain market in 2025

Datassential’s new ranking of the 500 biggest restaurant chains shows that nine new beverage options were added for every food extension.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Dolly Parton gets into c-store biz, summer drink promos and more

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

News roundup: Tyson to get a new chief, World Cup set to disrupt supply chains, Ohio tests drinks

Here’s a quick look at industry stories that may have slipped past.

June 1: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Problems arise in the refund of tariff money

Amid signs of trouble, a federal court is demanding an update from the Trump Administration on how the reimbursement is going.

May 2026: Welcome Our New Members

Welcome The Vita Coco Company, a leading coconut water brand; Redaptive, a provider of scalable infrastructure modernization solutions; and SafeScan, offering X-ray inspection services for foreign material detection.

Have we reached peak protein? Not yet

Consumers want to see more high-protein options for away-from-home dining, according to the Association’s latest Consumer & Operator Research Group report.

Burger chains are hearing the footsteps of chicken and beverage concepts

The new Datassential 500 report finds LSR burger specialists still on top, but with the other segments eroding their lead.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Kwik Trip’s food earns acclaim,deli prepared foods keep growing and more

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

Lobster prices soar as diesel costs take a toll

Some places are charging $50 or more for a lobster roll.

May 22: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

News roundup: NYC hotel workers get huge raise while restaurant hourlies have to skip meals

Here’s a quick look at industry stories that may have slipped past.

Leadership lessons from restaurant CEOs Chip Wade and Jerry Morgan

The industry superstars regaled attendees of the Association’s Education Summit with tales of resiliency and determination as they rose through the FAFH industry ranks.

A roadmap to success? Tomorrow’s FAFH pros got a veritable atlas at the Education Summit

The event brought industry standouts together with students considering a career in one of the many channels afforded by the business.

Gold & Silver Plate celebration offers a sharp rebuttal to industry bashers

A dead-end industry of last resort? Not to the stellar successes who gathered Saturday night.

Meet the icon receiving this year’s Legends award, Richard ‘Dick’ Marriott

He was born into the industry and a famous family, but the affiliation earned him a spatula instead of a silver spoon.

USHG CEO Chip Wade named 2026 Gold Plate winner

Chip Wade, CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group, wins the prestigious 2026 Gold Plate Award from IFMA, recognizing outstanding leadership in the foodservice industry.

How Chip Wade is putting his own stamp on Union Square Hospitality

Running a company while its founder is still actively involved can be a challenge. If that founder happens to be Danny Meyer, the Yoda of fine dining, a successor would have to be dumber than a rock to shun the input. And Chip Wade, CEO of Meyer’s U

Silver Plate winner and ‘Mealtime Messiah’ Michael P. Berry dies at 77

He earned his award for bringing innovation to his management of the foodservices of Harvard

Never been to the Gold and Silver Plate awards? Here’s an insider’s guide to what you’ll find

No other event is quite like it. Here are some of the reasons why.

Menu inflation eases in April, but there’s an asterisk

Consumer prices overall spiked for the month, signaling continued top-line challenges for the food-away-from-home business.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Amazon adds B2B fresh grocery delivery, McLane expands driverless trucks

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

May 11: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

With tariffs struck down again, is Trump out of options?

The White House is widely expected to appeal Thursday’s court ruling, but its options are narrowing.

Here’s some good government news for a change

Three recent developments have the FAFH business cheering instead of cursing.

Objections to a Sysco’s-Restaurant Depot deal are mounting

Parties ranging from a Georgia official to rank-and-file operators are asking the FTC to scuttle the merger.

Compass Group North America supercharges food waste fight with AI-powered partnership

The foodservice management firm announced a strategic alliance with Mill Industries to deploy high-tech machinery on its campuses that can turn kitchen scraps into animal feed.

Here’s how the dinner plates at the Gold & Silver Plate Awards come to life

Team work between IFMA The Food Away from Home Association, catering partner Entertaining Company, event sponsors and more is essential to pulling off the gala’s feast.

Amazon opens its distribution network to all foodservice suppliers

A company will no longer need to sell through Amazon.com to have its products shipped to customers.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: C-stores lean into Cinco de Mayo, 7-Eleven adds kids’ meals, Casey’s exp

Here’s the news you may have missed this week in the world of c-store and grocery foodservice.

May 4: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

April 2026: Welcome Our New Members

This month we welcome three new members: manufacturers Texas Pete and California Custom Fruits and Flavors, plus supply chain member Edward Don & Company.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: 3 changes coming to 7-Eleven’s prepared foods program

This week’s update focuses on the planned foodservice upgrades coming to the country’s largest convenience retailer.

April 27: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

A lifetime in hospitality earns Richard 'Dick' Marriott the 2026 Legends Award

From the time he was 6, the scion of the famed family has strived to leave his mark on the U.S. hospitality industry through smarts and hard work.

Thomas Jefferson: Author, politician, founding foodie

A pivotal force in forming the United States 250 years ago, the philosopher-farmer also helped American dining break free from Britain’s influence.

Steak ‘n Shake appoints a chief MAHA officer

The family dining chain said it intends to make further MAHA-driven changes to its recipes and menu later this year.

Restaurants launch slew of portable, snackable new items

Chains including Pokeworks, Bojangles, Panera Bread and more are jumping on the latest trends to meet consumer desire for high-protein snacks around the clock.

Special Edition: UnPHILtered with Ben Wexler

Ben Wexler sits down with Phil Kafarakis to discuss his career and longstanding service to the industry.

Special Edition: UnPHILtered with Herb Ring

Phil sits down with Herb Ring, Honorary Silver Plate Award recipient and two-time IFMA The Food Away from Home Association Board Chair.

Culinary Highlights of COEX 2026

From innovative dishes at the opening reception to chef-led creations at Menu-a-thon, immerse yourself in the flavors that defined IFMA COEX 2026 in Atlanta.

What happens at the Gold and Silver Plate gala stays there, at least in picking the winner

Considerable color is added to the event by its adherence to traditions, one of them being a token bet on who’ll win the Gold Plate award. Here’s how to engage in that time-honored custom.

How familiar are you with the Gold and Silver Plate awards? Take our trivia quiz to find out

The 72nd edition of the Gold & Silver Plate Awards are coming up soon. Test your knowledge of the FAFH industry's biggest night and see how you stack up.

April 20: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Retail Foodservice Roundup:C-store foodservice keeps growing, 7-Eleven closures, grocery deli update

Welcome to a new feature recapping the latest FAFH developments at convenience and grocery stores.

U.K. veers from the U.S. in its plan to make school meals healthier

The European nation is updating its student nutrition standards for the first time in more than 10 years, with significant departures from the approach planned for U.S. schools.

Sales of plant-based meat analogs are wilting, new research finds

Orders of the products from broadline distributors fell in 2024 after years of growth, the report found.

Have the munchies? Here’s how operators are observing 4/20

The annual unofficial celebration of cannabis culture is kicking into high gear, with chains like Jimmy John’s, Wingstop, Insomnia Cookies and more joining with punny marketing and menu items.

Where are they now: Mark Freeman, 2012 Silver Plate winner

The former manager of Microsoft’s foodservice operations wants to air solutions to common problems across the six siloed sectors of “everyday foodservice.”

New university venture aims to avert supply-chain problems

The Supply Chain Resiliency Hub will help U.S. manufacturers find new and alternative suppliers while flagging disruption risks, according to the University of New Haven.

Now judges are reviewing the legality of Trump’s 10% tariffs

The surcharges, imposed after the Supreme Court rejected the Administration’s first round of duties, have been challenged by 24 states.

Retail Foodservice Roundup: Amazon grocery growth, Sheetz’ big Indiana debut, Rutter’s taco fiesta

Welcome to a new feature recapping the latest food-away-from-home-related developments at convenience and grocery stores.

April 13: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Menu prices inched upward in March as grocery prices fell

The dynamics widened the expense gap between cooking at home and frequenting a food-away-from-home establishment.

Sysco’s CEO promises no increase in Restaurant Depot’s prices

Kevin Hourican said the added buying power will provide the purchasing leverage to hold the line. That’s not such good news for suppliers.

7-Eleven parent presses pause on North American IPO plans

In The country’s largest convenience-store owner cited ongoing consumer uncertainty in its decision to stall its go-public effort by a year “at the earliest.”

Updated dietary guidelines most likely to sway younger consumers

The latest Consumer & Operator Research Group report offers insight into the demographic groups most likely to change the way they eat based on new nutritional information.

April 6: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Florida embraces MAHA’s push for more local food purchasing by hospitals

Patterned after a 2-year-old program in Kentucky, the initiative obliges participating facilities to spend 5% of their food budgets on supplies from local farms.

News roundup: Restaurant chain sniping, new 'living wage' quest, restaurants give TSA agents a hand

Here’s a roundup of food-away-from-home news that might have slipped past even avid media watchers.

Panera to lay off 300 more bakery workers

The once-vertically-integrated chain is closing three more of its dough manufacturing facilities and increasing its reliance on outside suppliers.

What's on the table for C&U foodservice this year?

Long before Indian cuisine caught on in the foodservice mainstream, colleges and universities were regularly serving the Asian fare in their dining halls.

FAFH industry has some April Fool’s fun

Brands roll out pickle cookies, cheddar Pop-Tarts, name changes and more. Just be sure to double-check the date.

Unilever Foods, McCormick to merge in massive food deal

Once approved, the $45 billion transaction would bring together brands including McCormick spices and flavorings, Knorr, Hellmann’s and Cholula.

New study aims to show how dining options influence student retention

Sodexo and The Princeton Review plan to canvass school administrators about the correlation between foodservices and school loyalty.

Younger diners are getting pickier about how their food is fried

A new study says half of consumers aged 18 to 34 are considering what’s in fryers when choosing a restaurant.

March 30: The latest on MAHA and related developments

A roundup of regulatory developments affecting the food-away-from-home business, including policy changes that are part of the Administration’s Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative.

Sysco to buy Restaurant Depot for $29.1B

The broadliner said the deal will instantly make it the largest player in the cash-and-carry market.

March 2026: Welcome Our New Members

Welcome our newest manufacturer members for March 2026! Discover Aquamar, Bay State Milling, BelGioioso Cheese, Chelten House, Cordillera, Legacy Foods, Mrs. Gerry's Kitchen, Nadura*, Savannah Foods, and Tiger Packaging.

Hospital food purchases will have to abide by MAHA guidelines

Procurement policies and practices will need to be brought in line with the nutritional guidelines set out in the new DGAs for hospitals to continue receiving federal funding, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. announced.

Cinemark’s Sean Gamble is redefining 'dinner and a movie’

The Silver Plate winner has brought new success to his theater chain by having it function more as a restaurant.

Check out these books from the industry’s elite

15 books by Silver Plate award winners, the food-away-from-home industry's elite. Learn their secrets to success, from building iconic brands like Wendy's and Popeyes to pioneering hospitality, offering invaluable insights for aspiring leaders.

C-stores find success stealing from the fast-food value playbook

Convenience stores are getting more strategic with bundle deals to compete with QSRs.

Don’t tell Leisa Bryant her job is only about serving hospital food

Leisa Bryant, executive director of Food and Nutrition Services at MD Anderson Cancer Center and this year's Healthcare Silver Plate winner, is redefining hospital food — one act of compassionate leadership at a time.

Authenticity is on Jeff Palmer’s mind at UC San Diego

Jeff Palmer, exec director of dining at UC San Diego and this year's College & University Silver Plate winner, is using data, sustainability, and a passion for culinary authenticity to redefine what campus dining can be.

Danielle Bock doesn’t hesitate to stir the pot for her students and staff

Danielle Bock, director of nutrition services for Greeley-Evans School District and this year's K-12 Silver Plate winner, has spent her career fighting for students and staff — and she's not done yet.

Jerry Morgan is more than a caretaker of what he inherited at Texas Roadhouse

Jerry Morgan, CEO of Texas Roadhouse and this year’s Silver Plate winner in the Chain Full Service category, is widely known as Kent Taylor’s successor. But that doesn’t reflect all he’s doing for the company and brand.

Before Bourdain or Child, there was the food writer Clementine Paddleford

A name like Clementine Paddleford isn’t easy to forget. Nor is a long professional life of piloting her own Piper Cub from one backwater location to another, looking for local dishes that were as enticing as anything the swells of New York City.