Analysis from the FSRI research desk
Long-form articles on restaurant industry trends, menu innovation, consumer dining behavior, foodservice technology and operator strategy.
Top-Selling Cheeses in America: 2026 Foodservice Ranking
Mozzarella still leads on volume, but pepper jack, feta, and birria-grade Oaxaca have rewritten the top ten.
The Future of Fast Casual: Five Forces Reshaping the Segment
Fast casual added $3.1B in sales in early 2026. The next phase will be defined by format compression, menu focus, and second-tier expansion.
Restaurant Technology in 2026: The Stack That Actually Pays Back
Operators are consolidating tech vendors and walking away from AI features that don't lift labor or throughput.
Menu Engineering for Profitability in a 2026 Cost Environment
Food costs have stabilized, but labor and rent haven't. The new playbook leans on contribution margin per minute, not gross margin.
Consumer Dining Habits Report: How America Eats in 2026
Frequency is flat, but ticket has lifted. Five behavioral shifts every operator should understand.
BBQ and Smoked Food Trends: The Premiumization of American Smoke
Wood-fired and smoke-forward formats are migrating from regional barbecue concepts into fast casual, QSR, and even breakfast.
Foodservice Industry Outlook 2026: Where the Growth Is Hiding
FSRI's flagship outlook for executives, operators, and investors navigating the year ahead.