Food Service Weekly Brief: June 3–9, 2025
From groundbreaking culinary innovations to evolving food safety regulations and dynamic workforce shifts, here’s the most relevant food service industry news from the past week:
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Food & Wine Celebrates 2025 Game Changers
Food & Wine announced its 2025 Game Changers on June 3, 2025, recognizing individuals and companies that are profoundly transforming how people eat and drink. This prestigious list spotlights innovators across various categories, including drink disruption, food innovation, and tech transformation, all united by a commitment to enhancing accessibility, promoting sustainability, and enriching community experiences. Among the celebrated innovations, “Low Tech Restaurants” were highlighted for their deliberate rejection of digital tools in favor of traditional hospitality, aiming to restore intimacy and slow the dining pace. This annual celebration serves as a compass, pointing towards the future directions of culinary and beverage development.
Published: June 3, 2025
FOOD & WINE ANNOUNCES ITS 2025 GAME CHANGERS -
Plant-Based Market Gains Momentum Amid Wellness Focus
Discussions at the 2025 BMO Global Farm to Market Conference in New York City on June 3, 2025, underscored the significant positive momentum for the plant-based industry. This growth is largely propelled by heightened consumer interest in personal wellness and “better-for-you” products, signaling a fundamental shift in dietary preferences. Major retailers like Kroger are actively investing in this trend, with plans to launch a protein line featuring over 90 items under its Simple Truth label, backed by a $70 million investment in manufacturing capabilities. This substantial commitment indicates a long-term strategic alignment with the plant-based category, as consumers increasingly adopt a “food as medicine” approach.
Published: June 3, 2025
BMO 2025: Plant-Based Folds into Macro Environment - The Food Institute -
Evolving Food Safety Standards Embrace Digitalization
Food safety standards in 2025 are undergoing a significant transformation, shifting from a reactive approach to a proactive, preventive one. This means food businesses are now expected to actively prevent potential problems before they occur, rather than simply responding to incidents. This paradigm shift is being driven by enhanced traceability requirements, the imperative for digital record-keeping, and the adoption of predictive risk management strategies. The Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) in the U.S. is becoming even more stringent, particularly in verifying the effectiveness of preventive measures and increasing the responsibility of food businesses for supplier safety.
Published: June 6, 2025
A Quick Guide to Food Safety Standards in 2025 -
Leisure & Hospitality Sector Sees Continued Job Growth
In May 2025, the leisure and hospitality sector demonstrated continued recovery, adding approximately 48,000 jobs, with a significant portion—30,000—specifically within food services and drinking establishments. Despite this positive trend in job creation, the broader hotel industry, which often mirrors trends in food service, still faces a substantial labor shortage, remaining 200,000 jobs below its pre-pandemic levels. This persistent gap highlights ongoing challenges in fully staffing operations across the hospitality sector, even as average wages in the industry have increased by 15%.
Published: June 9, 2025
Leisure, hospitality employment continued upward trend in May | Hotel Dive
Tools & Tips
- Enhancing Your Digital Footprint A strong online presence is essential for attracting and retaining customers, with 77% of diners researching a restaurant online before visiting.[7] Key elements include clear contact information, mobile optimization for seamless browsing, and a digital menu, especially since 88% of Gen Z diners check menus online.
8 Essential Elements Every Restaurant Website Needs in 2025 - QSR Magazine
Fun Fact
Did you know? According to the National Restaurant Association, approximately 10% of the U.S. workforce is employed in the restaurant industry, highlighting its significant contribution to the national economy and employment landscape.
10 surprising facts about the food service industry. - Phenium Food and Workplace Safety Solutions
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any Food Service events or utilized new Food Service tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.