Prepared foods: Page 2

Nestlé buys Freshly, valuing meal delivery firm at $950M

The world's largest food manufacturer, which purchased a stake in the upstart in 2017, can bring its deep knowledge of customer trends, R&D capability and portfolio of brands to the meal kit delivery business.

By Christopher Doering • Oct. 30, 2020

Q&A

Q&A: How Freshly is scaling to meet prepared meal delivery demand

The company's new warehouse in Southern California is part of a strategy that includes doubling capacity and tripling product offerings next year, according to Mike Wystrach, co-founder and CEO.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 28, 2020

Deep Dive

4 mealtime innovations that picked up during the pandemic

Retailers like Barons Market, The Giant Company and Hy-Vee are helping customers solve the age-old dilemma of what to make for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 28, 2020

Fast-casual salad franchise opens at The Giant Company

Saladworks already has several locations in other grocery stores, including ShopRite, and has plans for at least 10 more by early next year.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 23, 2020

Kroger brings ghost kitchens inside stores

The grocer opened a delivery and pickup-only restaurant inside an Indiana location on Thursday and will open a second facility in Ohio next month.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 08, 2020

Foodservice managers can capitalize on meal planning fatigue

As more shoppers meal-prep in advance, a new study from the Food Industry Association found 70% of respondents would be more likely to purchase from retail foodservice if they can order ahead. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 01, 2020

How retailers can maximize grab-and-go demand in-store and online

Customization, combo meals and mobile marketing can help grocers hold onto mealtime customers as restaurant sales tick back up, according to new research and retailer input.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 28, 2020

Consumers are cooking at home more, but some are getting tired of it

While more than a third of shoppers in a recent Acosta survey said they've developed a newfound passion for cooking, 25% said they're losing interest.

By Jessi Devenyns • Sept. 16, 2020

The Fresh Market serves up fine dining

The grocer is launching a line of premium meal solutions called Ultimate Dinner Meals, which feed six people and retail for $149.99.

By Krishna Thakker • Aug. 21, 2020

From full-service to grocery hybrid: Why 1 restaurant chose to renovate during the pandemic

Cotton Blues Kitchen & Marketplace used the business slowdown to recreate the dining experience with a grocery market, grab-and-go and ready-to-heat items, and a smaller dine-in menu.

By Julie Littman • Aug. 14, 2020

Meal kit makers continue to evolve amid sales surge

Sun Basket just rolled out a line of ready-to-heat meals that can be prepared in about six minutes. 

By Krishna Thakker • Aug. 13, 2020

Inside the store: Safeway's Capitol Hill location in Washington, DC

The grocer's first new store in the city since 2014, which opened Wednesday morning, features a walk-in wine cellar, specialty popcorn shop, raw oyster bar and 200 types of cheese.

By Sam Silverstein • Aug. 12, 2020

Schnucks expands restaurant partnerships

The grocer has tapped several St. Louis eateries run by Black restaurateurs as it looks to add more grab-and-go options for shoppers.

By Jessica Dumont • July 31, 2020

Deep Dive

Grocers ponder the future of their self-service stations

More than three months after shutting down, salad bars and hot bars are burning a hole in retailers' bottom lines. Getting them up and running safely and profitably is a major challenge, according to retailers, consultants and other sources.

By Sam Silverstein , Jeff Wells • June 25, 2020

In-store meal kits are poised for a rebound

The format could yet prove its value as people continue to cook at home during the pandemic and new models emerge.

By Jessica Dumont • June 01, 2020

Target, Walmart and other stores damaged during protests

Grocers including Kroger, Cub Foods and Vons also had locations damaged over the weekend as looting and protests roiled cities across the U.S.

By Krishna Thakker • June 01, 2020

Bob Mariano launching new Chicago grocery chain

The longtime supermarket executive is jumping back into the business five years after selling his namesake chain to Kroger.

By Sam Silverstein • May 19, 2020

Meal kit sales are cooking amid the pandemic

HelloFresh nearly doubled its U.S. customer count in Q1, while restaurants like Chick-fil-A and Denny's are rolling out pre-portioned meals for pickup and delivery.

By Sam Silverstein • May 05, 2020

Hy-Vee adds hot meals to curbside pickup

The grocer will now offer a variety of take-and-bake and freshly prepared meals through its Aisles Online ordering platform as more customers turn to takeout. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

H-E-B adds restaurant meals to prepared foods sections

The grocer has teamed up with local restaurateurs in San Antonio and Houston to support their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 06, 2020

Grocers need to improve foodservice to win meal dollars, report says

Retailers need to think more like restaurants and make changes to its offerings to remain competitive, according to recommendations from Kearney and FMI.

By Jessica Dumont • March 05, 2020

Target boosts deli offering with Boar's Head

The retailer will roll out grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, sliced meats and cheese from the popular deli brand in up to 200 stores this year.

By Jessica Dumont • March 02, 2020

Meijer opens sushi restaurant and craft beer bar

The new concept serves beer from local Bell's Brewery to accompany chef-made rolls and non-sushi dishes like Asian chicken wings.

By Krishna Thakker • Feb. 13, 2020

This year's Super Bowl promises to bring more shoppers online

Demand for game day eats could drive first-time customers to make purchases from services including Instacart, Shipt and Amazon Fresh.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 29, 2020

Publix's new digital deli counter to deliver customized sandwiches

The grocer is partnering with Instacart to deliver its popular subs and other made-to-order deli offerings to shoppers.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 23, 2020