The people's voice of reason
The people's voice of reason
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 172
Since A&W Root Beer became the first American restaurant to franchise in 1925, the U.S.—not to mention the rest of the world—has been dominated by chains. Iconic establishments like the now-defunct Howard Johnson's trained customers to look toward its distinctive orange roofs for consistency and comfort, while McDonald's revolutionized the industry with its focus on speed and affordability. Over the years, chains have had a tremendous influence on American culture, from Little Caesars mak...
Pizza has been a staple of the American diet since the late 19th century and has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry. How much do Americans love pizza? $50 billion in estimated sales for 2024 should give you a rough idea. What's more, that number is expected to grow, with technology research company Technavio projecting the global pizza market will increase by $70.1 billion between 2025 and 2029. Americans buy approximately 350 slices of pizza every second. Crust, cheese, sauce, and, of co...
Eating a filling, healthy breakfast can set the tone for your entire day. In fact, eating a morning meal has been linked to improving physical activity levels all day long. But when you forget to soak your overnight oats or don't have time to blend up a green smoothie, you may decide to cruise up to a fast food drive-thru in order to fuel your body for the day ahead. Going to a fast food restaurant in the morning doesn't have to derail your health goals. Understanding what factors impact...
As spring kicks into high gear, people across the country are preparing for family gatherings and festive meals for Passover (April 12-20) and Easter (April 20). To help bring these traditions to life, Instacart has unearthed some egg-citing data showcasing the food, candy, and seasonal items that will have consumers springing for joy this season. Through a nationwide survey of adults conducted online by The Harris Poll from March 13-17, 2025, Instacart found a whopping 76% of Americans plan to...
It probably seems like, every day, you're reading a new headline about a recalled food item, like onions on McDonald's hamburgers, baby carrots, and Boar's Head cold cuts. You're not imagining that influx. According to a February 2025 report from the compliance company Traceone, the total number of food recalls issued by the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture grew 15% between 2020 and 2024. Experts suggest this could be due to a variety of factors, including advancements...
It probably seems like, every day, you're reading a new headline about a recalled food item, like onions on McDonald's hamburgers, baby carrots, and Boar's Head cold cuts. You're not imagining that influx. According to a February 2025 report from the compliance company Traceone, the total number of food recalls issued by the Food and Drug Administration and Department of Agriculture grew 15% between 2020 and 2024. Experts suggest this could be due to a variety of factors, including advancements...
At the Crown Heights, New York, Whoopsie Daisy bar in Brooklyn, on a sunny fall afternoon, patrons drank natural wines while their children ran around the outdoor garden. Little dogs peeped out from under tables or the tops of backpacks. Modish twentysomethings took turns playing music on their cellphones. While the location was a bar, the snacks on offer were not nachos or day-old pretzels. Patrons feasted on exquisite vegan cardamon rose baklava and saffron ice-cream sandwiches. The chef...
Just four West African countries are the foundation of an industry worth more than $100 billion. In the tropical nations of Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria, rows of cacao trees sprout pods bearing dozens of seeds. Once harvested, these humble beans are dried, roasted, and processed into something beloved worldwide. Chocolate has been coveted for millennia and, particularly on Valentine's Day, is an unmistakable token of love. But as increasingly erratic weather continues driving up...
Choosing a bottle of wine should be an enjoyable experience and can even be an engaging experience, though knowing where to begin can prove difficult. To get you started, the sommelier team at Sommsation offers tips on how to select the best bottle for every occasion. "When selecting a bottle of wine, I take all the following into consideration: what I'm in the mood for, what I'm eating, and who I'm with," says sommelier Victoria Love. Love equally considers whether the whole bottle will be...
Over the past few months, protein-rich foods like eggs and beef have experienced significant price increases. The most recent U.S. government data showed a 53% increase in egg prices over the past year, the largest annual jump in two years. Cases of bird flu in recent months have exacerbated the issue, making eggs completely unavailable at some grocery stores. Three-quarters of Americans are very concerned over the cost of food and consumer goods, according to a Pew Research Center survey....
In celebration of Pi Day on March 14 (3/14)—a food holiday savored for making math just a little sweeter—Instacart serves up a healthy slice of its ordering data to determine which pies win Americans' hearts and stomachs, uncovering surprising regional favorites and unexpected sweet trends. America's Most Popular Pies When it comes to the most popular pies nationwide, apple pie earns the blue ribbon, accounting for nearly a third (29%) of all pie sales in 2024. Coming in second and third, res...
Los Angeles is at the center of a beverage revolution, where craft mocktails command the same reverence as their alcoholic counterparts. With alcohol consumption dropping 10% among young adults, the city's bars and restaurants are crafting sophisticated nonalcoholic drinks that appeal to both dedicated abstainers and the "sober curious" alike, LA Post reports. A new era of drinking is being ushered in by the city's varied culinary scene and the rising desire for alcohol-free and...
Restaurant owners entered 2025 feeling optimistic, according to data from the 2025 Square Future of Restaurants report. With costs rising and time more valuable than ever, restaurants are exploring new strategies to optimize operations, improve guest experiences, and drive revenue. To understand restaurant leaders' current goals and challenges, as well as what customers want from dining experiences this year, Square collaborated with Bredin to survey 2,000 restaurant owners and managers and...
In recent years, more and more Americans are noting groceries as a source of financial stress. According to one report, 70% of shoppers say they struggle to pay for their groceries and 62% say they avoid buying snacks in order to save money. Americans took those concerns to the ballot box in November 2024, with 96% of voters reporting high grocery and gas prices as a factor in their decision for the presidential election. Hers set out to find how much the prices of healthy groceries have gone...
Valentine's Day is celebrated in many countries around the world as a day to honor love and connection. Beyond flowers and heartfelt gestures, food plays a big part in how people enjoy this day together. From chocolate treats to fancy meals, different parts of the world celebrate Valentine's Day in their own unique ways. This story dives into food trends found in MyFitnessPal food log data, showing how people from different cultures celebrate love with food. How the Data Was Collected The Busine...
When searching for a new recipe or dinner inspiration, social media is often the first go-to. Food content is one of the most popular categories, with food influencers turning everyday ingredients into mouthwatering dishes, sharing must-visit restaurants, and entertaining millions along the process. Different platforms offer different perspectives on food content. YouTube is where people look for in-depth recipe tutorials and deep dive into culinary history, while Instagram offers an instant sou...
When starting a weight loss journey, one of the first things you might think about is how to build a balanced, nutritious diet to set yourself up for success. Along the way, you might find yourself asking, "Are eggs good for weight loss?" It's a fair question, given that eggs are packed with protein and essential nutrients, but they've also faced their share of controversy when it comes to health and diet. Key Takeaways - Eggs can be good for weight loss because they're low in calories and high...
From eco-friendly practices to functional foods, the U.S. food and beverage industry is feeding customers' hungry demands for wellness, convenience, and flavor. And for entrepreneurs, these changes are a buffet of opportunities to create new businesses in food, drink, restaurants, snacks and services. NEXT research has found that the fastest-growing restaurants, food, and beverage businesses for 2025 include: 1. "Functional Foods" and Personalized Nutrition Products like gut-healthy kombucha,...
To celebrate National Sauce Month this March, Instacart takes an in-depth look at the most popular pasta sauces across the nation, by city and state, according to its proprietary data. Whether you prefer a fresh pesto or tangy marinara, it's clear this is a nation that loves to get saucy. Through a delicious data deep dive, take a look at the sauces most frequently landing in consumer carts and the ones that might be left on the shelf. Most Popular Pasta Sauces: Which Reigns Supreme? Topping...
Whether you're getting ready for the big game or prepping for a community tailgate, slow cooker recipes are a simple and hearty way to feed a crowd. Plus, they typically require very little effort to prepare, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time getting hyped for the football game with your friends and family. But it's easy to lose sight of your health goals when grazing at a tailgate buffet. Maybe you're trying to hit a daily protein goal or cut back on fats and sugar....
When you're on a weight loss journey, it's natural to seek tips and tricks to help reach your goals. From fad diets to weight loss "hacks," it can be tempting to try the latest trend, like the so-called "coffee loophole for weight loss." But does this method truly hold the key to shedding pounds? Ro dives into the science and explores the truth behind the seven-second weight loss coffee loophole. Key Takeaways - The "coffee loophole" for weight loss is a trend that suggests drinking coffee...
As 2024 draws to a close and the new year approaches, Instacart shares its anticipated food and grocery trends for 2025. To develop this forecast, Instacart analyzed its purchase data from 2024 to uncover standout insights about how people filled their carts (and kitchens) with items that trended across pop culture and social media over the past year. The data revealed these key insights: - Health and wellness are continuing to influence people's grocery purchasing decisions. - Cooking and bakin...
As the holiday season kicks into high gear, people are filled with excitement to see family and friends, and kitchens begin to buzz with the familiar aroma of festive dishes. According to a recent Instacart survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults by The Harris Poll, 88% are gearing up to cook festive meals for occasions like Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year's Eve. This report explores the food and drink trends surrounding Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year's using Instacart purchase data from the 2023...
Regardless of how you celebrate end-of-year holidays, food is probably central to your winter festivities. And a trio of spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger—feature in many dishes and drinks and are an unmistakable part of the scent profile many associate with the holiday season. How did these spices, grown in the tropics, became so closely associated with the Northern Hemisphere's winter holidays?Just as cranberries' fall harvest makes them a natural choice for Thanksgiving, it's natural to...
Welcome to the holidays—and with it, the holiday rush. A third of Americans plan to travel to catch the Yuletide cheer this year, according to a September 2024 Civic Science survey. To manage the surge, airports are speeding up their adoption of passenger-focused technologies. The global smart airports market, valued at $18.2 billion in 2023, is projected to reach $40.4 billion by 2030, according to Research and Markets. U.S. airports are investing heavily in automated solutions to address l...
