Christopher Shadle

Hegins

Writer and Research Analyst at The Food Institute

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Articles

Millennials: A Generation in Search of Purpose and Growth

Oct 2, 2024 | hrreporter.com | Christopher Shadle

Millennials, the largest cohort in today's workforce, are also the least satisfied, with only 46% expressing contentment at work By Oct 02, 2024 Millennials, the largest cohort in today’s workforce, are also the least satisfied, with only 46% expressing contentment at work—trailing behind Gen Z, Boomers, and Gen X. But the story behind their dissatisfaction reveals deeper motivations, making them a pivotal generation for employers to understand and engage with effectively.
Brand Magnetism is Driving Gen-Z Loyalty

May 9, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Alice Johnston

Home>Food IndustryBrand Magnetism the Driving Force Behind Gen Z’s Relationship with CPGs A new report from Gen Z research and strategy firm dcdx noted the importance of brand magnetism for the CPG industry to attract young consumers. The report ultimately concluded that focusing on real consumers’ experiences is key to increasing engagement.
Olive Oil Production Threatened by "Heatflation"

May 8, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Marcy Kreiter

Olive oil, which sometimes is talked about in the same terms as fine wine, is being threatened by climate change, high interest rates and inflation that has sent prices soaring. Searing heat in Spain, Greece and Italy – the three top olive-oil producing countries – has damaged trees, reducing yields. The olive tree is the oldest cultivated tree in the world, with the industry stretching back thousands of years.
Food Delivery War: Uber, Doordash, or Instacart?

May 7, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Vince Martin

Home>FoodserviceThe Future of Food Delivery: Are Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart Destined to Win the Delivery War? Has the third-party delivery business – led by DoorDash and Uber – been a success? There are several ways to answer that question – each of which provides relatively different results. The most obvious answer is: of course. At the moment, Uber has a market cap just shy of $150 billion.
Opinion: Why Casual-Dining Restaurant Chains are in Crisis

May 6, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Dan Rowe

Home>FoodserviceOpinion: Why Casual-Dining Restaurant Chains are in Crisis Casual dining is about to implode. It has already started. Full-service restaurants that were popular in the 1980s and ‘90s – old brands – I think they’re going to be cut in half. TGI Friday’s just closed a bunch of stores. Red Lobster has reportedly considered filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. They became irrelevant.
HPAI in the Dairy Industry and Implications for Human Health

May 3, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle

The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) outbreak, previously confined to avian species, has made a significant crossover to the dairy sector, affecting dairy cows across several U.S. states and raising concerns about the safety of dairy products and the potential for human transmission.
Kombucha: An Ancient Elixir Finds Modern Appeal

May 2, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle

Kombucha, an effervescent and tangy fermented tea beverage, has captivated the taste buds of health-conscious consumers worldwide, propelling the market to remarkable heights. This ancient elixir, with mysterious roots tracing back to China over 2,000 years ago, has undergone a renaissance, transcending its humble origins to become a $640 million dollar industry—according to data from Circana.
Crumbl-ing Facade: Unsustainable Cookie Growth

May 2, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Dan Rowe

Crumbl has made a costly mistake lately – one that’s akin to building a church for Easter Sunday. The Utah-based bakery chain originally had small retail footprints that were rather humble and didn’t require a ton of money to build. Their locations were just about cookies, with very low overhead. Now, however …Crumbl keeps making its new locations bigger. They built based on their honeymoon period – which is short-sighted, because once the honeymoon is over, you’re in trouble.
United Natural Foods in Crisis: Can Distributor Recover from Stock Plunge?

Apr 29, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle |Vince Martin

Home>Food ManufacturingUnited Natural Foods in Crisis: Can Distributor Recover from Stock Plunge? A decade ago, United Natural Foods seemed like an excellent stock. UNFI stock had risen nearly tenfold since its late 1996 initial public offering. Steady growth in the natural food channel — where UNFI seemed to have clear leadership — promised further gains ahead.
Peeling Apart the Complex History (and Future) of the Banana

Apr 25, 2024 | foodinstitute.com | Christopher Shadle

In the bustling aisles of America’s grocery stores, one unassuming fruit remains atop the bunch year after year. National Banana Day was April 17, and a survey commissioned by Dole Food Co. revealed the familiar peelable is as appealing as ever.