Major Restaurant Chains Ramp Up Market Expansion

This week, big players in the foodservice industry, including Chipotle, TGI Fridays, and Qdoba, have unveiled ambitious expansion plans.

By stretching accessibility and strengthening their global presence, these companies are ramping up efforts to reach international markets.

First, Qdoba announced its largest development deal in its brand's history.

The company partnered with Barry Dubin of B Wild Investments in an agreement to develop 50 new QDOBA restaurants across the states of Alaska, Utah, Nevada, Colorado and New Mexico.

It also announced that B Wild Investments has signed...

E-Commerce Drives Growth and Strategy for Private Brands in Food Retail

The Food Industry Association (FMI) released findings from its new report entitled, "The Power of Private Brands 2025: Industry Strategies to Sustain Momentum."

This report highlights the impact of e-commerce on the growth of private brands at food retailers and the tools businesses are using to boost sales and shopper loyalty.

According to the report, food retailers are increasingly recognizing the value of e-commerce and anticipate it may eventually outpace in-store purchases. It stated that sales of private brand...

ANALYSIS: How Brazil’s Beef Trade Adjusts to US Tariffs So Far

Contrary to expectations that US tariffs on Brazilian goods implemented in early August would sharply curb trade, Brazil’s beef exports posted only a modest contraction last month. According to data from the Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services, fresh beef shipments totaled 268,563 mt in August, down 2.8% from the record 276,879 mt in July but still 23.5% higher YOY.

As anticipated, exports to the United States halved MOM to 6,500 mt, representing an even steeper YOY decline of 57.4%. Despite the sharp...

ANALYSIS: July Broiler Exports, Seasonal Surge Outpaces the Norm

US broiler exports totaled 556.6 million pounds in July 2025, marking a 7.6% month-over-month (MOM) increase and a 3.2% year-over-year (YOY) gain. The expansion was well above the five-year average for July, which typically reflects a 1% decline from June. While overall volumes tracked stronger than expected, trade flows revealed sharp contrasts between key markets.

Mexico remained the leading destination by volume, bringing in 134 million pounds of US chicken in July. This represented a 1.5% MOM gain, which...

ANALYSIS: Mexican Export Suspension of Cattle Creates Challenges and Opportunities for Stakeholders

Mexican feeder cattle exports to the US have faced interruptions at various points since late 2024, primarily due to sanitary suspensions imposed by US authorities following the detection of screwworm outbreaks in cattle.

Although there was a partial reactivation at certain border crossings early in 2025, trade was again suspended in May. An attempt to resume in July lasted only a few days before a new suspension. From January to August 2025, just over 200,000 head were exported, compared to nearly 940,000 during...

FMI Statement on August CPI Food Price Numbers

Today, FMI – The Food Industry Association issued the following statement in response to the latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which shows a 0.6% monthly increase in food-at-home prices for August and a 2.7% rise on a year-over-year basis.

FMI Vice President of Tax, Trade, Sustainability and Policy Development Andy Harig stated, “The rise in grocery prices after remaining flat in July is likely a result of significant production cost increases in July flowing through the supply chain...

Godshall's Quality Meats Launches New Chicken Bacon

AAMP Processor Member Godshall's Quality Meats announces the launch of its newest innovation, Chicken Bacon. Crafted from premium whole muscle chicken and authentically smoked in Godshall's own smokehouse, the product offers a leaner option for consumers who want the indulgent flavor of traditional bacon.

Chicken Bacon debuted in August at Lowes Foods in the Carolinas. Distribution is expanding to over 200 Acme and Safeway locations across the Mid-Atlantic in September, and additional stores later this year.

"Godshall's sales team is proud to introduce their latest innovation...

ANALYSIS: Avian Influenza and Aging Infrastructure Tightens UK Chicken Supply

The UK poultry industry continues to face significant challenges stemming from both disease outbreaks and structural issues within the sector.

Avian Influenza remains a major concern, with multiple cases reported across the country in 2025. Following an outbreak in Somerset earlier in August, a Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain was confirmed at a poultry facility in Devon on August 31, 2025. Government authorities mandated the humane culling of all birds on the affected premises. These recurring outbreaks, which historically intensify during the autumn months, have been disrupting market...

ANALYSIS: US Turkey Exports See Modest July Uptick Amid Global HPAI Disruptions and Trade Shifts

The total volume of turkey exported from the US during the month of July remained well below last year. However, signs of increased trade were noted as month-over-month (MOM) activity rose 12.8% in comparison to a 5-year average increase of 8.7%. The most likely driver of this uptick in movement was a decline in Brazilian participation on the global turkey market.

On May 15th, Brazil confirmed their first commercial case of HPAI. While this case was detected in chickens...

Pulling Back the Curtain on the Market for Packaging Recovery Notes

In the United Kingdom, Packaging Recovery Notes are meant to ensure that the companies creating packaging waste are helping to financially support the cost of recycling it. The prices of PRNs are affected by external factors, such as the demand for recyclate, shipping costs, and rumors about import restrictions or recycling closures. A lack of timely data hobbles companies trying to implement informed buying strategies, as market players often submit late responses or correct their data later, and a structural time lag creates a supply/demand disconnect.

Egg Farm Fire Under Investigation in Wharton County

An egg farm in Wharton County was reportedly ablaze this morning.

News has circulated that multiple fire units were dispatched to Maxim Egg Farm, a Cal-Maine Foods company, on FM 442 in Lane City, Texas.

Cal-Maine Foods announced the acquisition of Maxim Eggs back in November of 2012. The deal included two production facilities with a capacity for about 3.5 million laying hens.

The extent of the damage is still unclear.

While the investigation is ongoing, no cause of the...

FMI Proposes Amendments and Extended Deadline for FDA Food Traceability Rule

Today, the Food Industry Association (FMI) submitted comments on the proposed changes to the Food Traceability Rule by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Among the suggestions, the FMI requested extending the compliance deadline to July 2028, believing that its amendments would facilitate a more efficient implementation of the rule

“FMI is grateful for FDA’s recognition of the need to reduce the regulatory burden on the food industry by extending the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule. We also strongly...

ANALYSIS: High Cattle Prices Drive Dynamics in the Boxed Beef Market

With slaughter rates continuing to be constrained, kills are currently trailing 2024 year-to-date totals by 11.1%, and record high prices are becoming more common, the question arises: what is one of the major drivers in this market?

At the moment, beef production is about 10.3% lower than it was at this time last year. Currently production levels are now below what they were in 2015. Compared to 10 years ago (2015), beef production is down roughly 0.40%, and slaughter numbers are down about 3%...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 34 - AI Adoption in Agri-Food, Feat. Beth Pollack

Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals. 

Today we explore something different. A trend that is definitely here to stay and one that we are all integrating into our workflows. This transformative trend, however, is only in the infancy stages of its huge potential, and many of us, it is fair to say, are struggling to realize how to use it, and some of us even fear it… We're talking about AI, of course.

ANALYSIS: Brazil’s August 2025 Fresh Beef Exports Ease 2.8% From Prior Month’s Record High

The latest data released by Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services showed that fresh beef (frozen and chilled) exports totaled 268,563 metric tons (mt) in August 2025. While this was 2.8% below the record 276,879 mt shipped in July, volumes remained 23.5% higher YOY.

China remained the top destination with 158,054 mt, virtually unchanged from July 2025 (-0.2%) but up 47.9% compared to the same period last year. The country continues to expand its share of total exports, now...

Coffee, Cocoa, Tea, and More Added to List of Potential Tariff Adjustments for Aligned Partners

As of September 5, products like coffee, cocoa, and tea (along with hundreds more) may be exempt from US reciprocal tariffs if a country’s leaders make a deal with the US trade team, according to a White House fact sheet that specifies exemptions for trading partners that make substantial, reciprocal commitments to mitigate the national emergency-inducing trade-deficit.

To date, market participants watched as deals with the European Union and Indonesia provided a vague mention towards exemptions for “natural resources” like EU cork...

Restaurant Growth Continues in 2025 Despite Forecasting and Visibility Challenges

Crunchtime Information Systems, an operations management solutions provider for the restaurant industry, shared results of a study conducted in partnership with Technomic. The research was based on a nationwide survey of 300+ multi-unit restaurant operators.

The 2025 Restaurant Growth Insights Report finds that restaurant brands are continuing to grow despite economic headwinds, focusing on scaling more sustainably while identifying critical areas for improvement...

Operators plan to increase new location openings by 20% over the next two years, even as 73%...

Retailers Turn to Convenient Meal Solutions for the Busy Back-to-School Season

Back-to-school season is upon us, bringing busy mornings, drop-offs, and after-school activities. Consumers are leaning towards quick and convenient snacks and meals to help them get through the day.

Recently, grocery store circulars have spotlighted new products hitting the shelves, all aiming to capture the on-the-go consumer's dollar.

Buffalo Wild Wings X Slim Jim

Conagra Brands' Slim Jim brand has teamed up with Buffalo Wild Wings to introduce a new addition to its meat stick lineup...

Canada Unveils CAD 5 Billion Rescue Plan to Help Agriculture, Other Sectors Weather US Tariffs

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Sept. 5 unveiled a CAD 5 billion ($3.6 billion) support package and a suite of trade and industrial measures, including a "Buy Canadian" procurement policy, CAD 1 billion in expanded SME lending and CAD 75 million for AgriMarketing, aimed at shielding farmers, fishers and other sectors hit by new US tariffs while reskilling 50,000 workers for a more resilient domestic economy.

The agricultural and seafood industries landed in the spotlight. The federal government announced...

ANALYSIS: US Boneless Beef Imports Remain Steady in August 2025

Over the course of August, 68,847 metric tons (mt) of boneless beef were passed for entry according to the latest Food Safety and Inspection Service monthly figures. This is a decline of just 438 mt month-over-month (-0.63%).

Brazilian shipments continued to decline with just 7,616 mt of product imported in August, a decline of 2,265 mt from July (-22.91%). The climb of Brazilian imports halted in May when 27,586 mt of product entered the US, and have been on a decline since.

Kroger Teamsters Vote to Strike

More than 140 warehouse workers at Smith's Food and Drug, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kroger, have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in Las Vegas. The vote comes after months of management's unfair labor practices (ULPs) and refusal to bargain seriously.

"Since joining the Teamsters in January, this determined group of warehouse workers have proven they are organized and refuse to back down while Kroger drags out negotiations," said Jason Gateley, Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 14. "Unless the company makes a genuine offer and cleans up its illegal behavior, our members will strike...

TGI Fridays® Doubles Down on Global Expansion

Sugarloaf TGIF Management, LLC ("Sugarloaf"), a privately held company and manager of the global TGI Fridays® brand, announced today the extension of franchise development and master franchise agreements with long-standing franchise partners Franquicias Alimentarias S.A. and Watami Co., Ltd., to expand TGI Fridays® presence throughout Peru and Japan. With agreements in place to develop over 50 new restaurants, these partnerships underscore Sugarloaf's commitment to TGI Fridays' global growth and confidence in the strength of the brand's international business.

Building on a legacy of over 60 years...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Converges with Conventional Amid Quiet Demand

Cage-free trade was quiet once again this week, with limited engagement across most regions and continued reliance on conventional outlets to absorb excess supply. The cage-free market softened, with both the rest-of-market and California quotations slipping 3cts. This adjustment brought the rest-of-market quote into exact parity for the second time in a month with the conventional Midwest large at $2.66/dozen, underscoring the lack of cage-free demand and the pace at which product continues to move into...

US Implements Japanese Trade Deal; 15% Tariffs, Billions in Investments, Ag Purchases

Later on September 4, the US implemented a previously announced trade deal with Japan–setting a 15% baseline tariff on almost all Japanese goods imported to the US, according to a White House statement about a presidential order. This comes almost a week after tariffs were again disputed in the US judicial system.

The now-implemented deal also created sector-specific carve-outs and outlined commitments on both sides that will affect demand for US agricultural commodities and beyond (namely, for US rice).

Plus, the order carves...

ANALYSIS: EU Lifts Avian Influenza Ban on Brazilian Poultry

Following Brazil’s submission of detailed epidemiological data, the European Commission (EC) stated that the information was sufficient to confirm the country’s disease-free status. As a result, the EC, in coordination with EU Member States, will begin lifting bans and progressively reinstate access for all previously authorized export regions.

Trade data highlights the importance of this decision for both sides. Between January and June 2025, the EU imported 125,300 tons of chicken meat from Brazil, up by 20.8% year-on-year...

ANALYSIS: Pork Cutout Holds Near Decade Highs Despite Mid-Summer Correction

As of the week of September 1, the Expana Pork Carcass Cutout Value remains near 10-year highs, even as a corrective trend has been underway since mid-July. Over that span, weekly cutout values have eased by 4.2%. While this trajectory reflects typical seasonal patterns, the decline has been less pronounced than many market participants anticipated, largely due to limited live hog availability in a disease-affected environment. At present, the weekly cutout stands 18.9% above year-ago levels and...

Tyson Foods Expands Custom Nugget Lineup with Three New Football Fan Favorites

Retailers are gearing up with seasonal staples and tailgate essentials, while consumers are buzzing with excitement as the fall and the American football season are ushered in.

One major industry player, Tyson Foods, is aiming to capture consumer dollars through its latest culinary innovation.

The company has announced three new chicken nugget offerings, inspired by iconic football franchises: the Denver Broncos, Green Bay Packers, and Philadelphia Eagles. These nuggets are available at stadiums and regional retailers, tapping into the passion of football fans nationwide.

ANALYSIS: Australia’s Beef Exports Pull Back in August after Setting a Record in July

Australia’s beef exports in August 2025 eased back 9.9% month-on-month (MoM) from July’s record high to 135,570 metric tons (mt), according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).

Halting July’s four straight months of growth, August volumes fell 14,865 mt, with the sharpest declines seen to major destinations such as China, Japan, and the United States (US), while shipments to Korea hit fresh record highs ahead of the looming safeguard... 

ANALYSIS: Chicken Production Hits New Seasonal Highs in July Amid Shifting Market

July is typically a time of year in which chicken production is hampered by hot, humid weather, as average live weights fall from a peak in May until cooler weather returns at the end of August. However, this July, ready-to-cook (RTC) production reached a new seasonal peak and the highest figure of the year. In a typical fashion, average live weights fell from May to June but then were maintained throughout July. However, more birds were harvested this July than in any...