Feeding the Future: Mike Halen on the Consumer, Restaurants & Foodservice Trends

The foodservice industry is at a pivotal moment, and understanding consumer behavior is key to staying ahead. In this episode of Farm to Fork: The Innovators, I sit down with Mike Halen, Senior Restaurant Analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence, to break down the current state of the restaurant and foodservice industries. Mike returns to the show after accurately forecasting last year’s market shifts, and today, he shares his latest insights on consumer spending, inflation, and restaurant performance. With the S&P 500, Bitcoin, and home prices near all-time highs, we discuss how economic factors influence dining trends and whether consumers are feeling more confident in their spending habits.We also take a deep dive into the restaurant industry’s winners and losers, exploring why some brands are thriving while others struggle. Mike highlights the importance of strong operations, value-driven pricing, and the role of digital marketing—especially platforms like TikTok—in driving customer engagement. He also unpacks how major food distributors are evolving to meet industry challenges. Whether you’re in foodservice, distribution, or just curious about where the industry is headed, this episode offers a wealth of insights to help you navigate 2025 and beyond.Connect with David Maloni:https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmaloni/Connect With Mike Halen:https://www.bloomberg.com/professional/insights/podcasts/choppin-it-up/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikehalen Timestamps00:00 – Preview00:08 – The state of the restaurant industry: Winners & losers00:33 – What’s driving consumer confidence in dining?01:15 – Restaurant recession in 2024: What happened?02:58 – Consumer spending trends and the K-shaped economy04:54 – Why restaurants are the first place consumers cut back06:27 – The impact of labor shortages on foodservice execution10:28 – Key takeaways from the ICR Conference: Emerging trends14:46 – The role of digital marketing & TikTok in restaurant success19:58 – Economic indicators shaping foodservice in 202521:16 – The biggest risk for 2025: Inflation’s lingering impact25:19 – How Taco Bell’s leadership playbook is reshaping the industry30:10 – Food distributors’ role in the evolving supply chain37:41 – The outlook for restaurant pricing, inflation, and consumer behavior39:01 – Wrapping it up!I’d like to introduce you to Datum Advisors, a new offering from Datum FS. Our team is composed of seasoned Food Supply Chain Executives from every sector. We stand ready to offer valuable advisory services for your company. Click here to find out more:https://datumfs.com/datum-advisors