It’s not an easy time to be in food right now — costs are higher, budgets are tighter, and customers are more selective than ever. On top of that, the way people discover and choose brands has shifted fast: social media, influencers and even AI are reshaping how decisions get made.
What does it take to not just survive right now, but grow? The answer isn’t pulling back. It’s showing up where it matters most, in ways that actually move the needle. Marketing isn’t a “nice-to-have” — it’s one of the biggest levers you have for protecting and growing revenue.
Dig in with us this month for strategies that will drive meaningful results + see what new solutions we’re rolling out in response.
Industry News: Chef Content Creators + Opportunities for Foodservice
In partnership with Nation’s Restaurant News, research from our insight tool Brilli™ shows 43.7% of Gen Z and Millennial consumers now go to social media first for restaurant recommendations — ahead of Google and Yelp (38.6%) – making social and influencer-first activations more critical than ever.
In response, we launched new influencer packages for restaurants + CPG brands with must-win business moments in Q4. 🔥
Built for the realities of right now – overstretched teams, limited budgets and bottomline pressures – these new packages are laser-focused on:
- Guaranteed Outcomes for Critical Initiatives: Drive traffic and sales during critical windows like seasonal promotions, LTOs, product launches and new restaurant openings.
- Shorter Timelines + Faster Impact: Launches in weeks, not months, so brands can capitalize on seasonal windows or sudden opportunities.
- Feasibility for Smaller Teams + Budgets: Light on internal lift and budget.
- Scalable Solutions: Start small to test and build bigger when you see ROI.
If you need to draw in consumers in Q4, this is one of the most cost-effective ways to see measurable results.
Interested in learning more? Check out our packages here.
What’s Hot Right Now: Adapting to Changing Buying Behaviors in Foodservice
We’ve been talking with foodservice brands that feel the pressure to shake up their strategy to deliver more leads in Q4 + beyond.
If you’re struggling to engage operators or falling into the commodity trap, here’s what’s hot right now (and what will define 2026):
Chef Partnerships for Peer Trust
Google searches for “chef partnership” have exploded 1,385% this year—and we don’t see this slowing down. Collaborations with chefs are picking up because they work. The involvement of a known chef personality in a new product launch, LTO or seasonal menu brings instant value, premiumization and intrigue to consumers and foodservice buyers alike. In the first half of the year, we’ve tracked new chef partnerships across private label, corporate dining programs, QSR and a lot more.
→ See examples and read more on why chef partnerships are on the rise
→ Explore our chef programs
Content Marketing as a Demand Engine
In B2B, strong content has always supported sales — but the role of content is shifting as buyers do more homework before talking to a sales rep. Suppliers that create value-added resources across channels are winning attention. From trend reports to case studies, insights-driven content not only strengthens brand authority but also directly shortens sales cycles by answering the questions operators are already asking.
→ See how suppliers are turning content into a demand engine
→ Check out our content marketing capabilities
Social Media for SEO + Visibility
Social platforms have become discovery and lead-generation engines, not just awareness plays. But showing up consistently and effectively requires time, strategy and optimization. Suppliers, CPG brands and restaurants that integrate social SEO into their approach are positioning themselves to show up when consumers and buyers are actively seeking ideas and solutions—something they’re increasingly doing on social platforms.
→ Read how social SEO helps food brands increase visibility
→ See our approach to social strategies
News We’re Noting:
- For Gen Z, Little Treats are Worth Going Over Budget
- Google is Adding a New Way to Personalize Your News
- WTF is Brands’ New Investment in Creator-Generated Content?
- The Complete Guide to Reddit Data + Practical Tips for Getting the Most out of it
- Nearly Three-Quarters of Podcast Audiences Play the Video, Too, for Some Reason
Fresh Off The Press: Client Wins
- The Today Show: How Pickles and Pickle Flavor Became a Really Big Dill for Foodies
- The Food Institute: The Forces Shaping Modern Foodservice
- Foodservice Director: Recipe Report: Unleash the Umami with the Thrilling Complexity of These Hot New Tastes
- The Food Institute: 3 Textures Gen Z Can’t Resist
- Modern Restaurant Magazine: MRM Research Roundup: Midyear Report Card, Cowboy Carter Boost, and the Evolving Pumpkin Craze
- Foodservice Director: Recipe Report: Spark up your Summer Menu with Sweet-hot New Trendsetters – Waffle Slider Fight
- What Now Philly: A Major Waffle Brand Just Made a Big Move in Glen Mills
- Alcohol Professor: American Whiskey Report July 2025
- NBC4: Ohio Fair Season Continues with over a Dozen Events in October
- CityScene: Ohio’s First Garden-themed Adventure Trail Expands Local Engagement
- Electrical Industry News Week: IDEAL Electrical™ Introduces Ultimate Troubleshooting Tool with New Circuit Tracer
- Connector Supplier: Contacts and Plating Product Roundup
Belle Headlines
Megumi Robinson, Belle’s Head of Services, is speaking at the QSR Evolution Conference on the “Finding the Digital-Native Consumer” panel alongside leaders from DoorDash, East Coast Wings + Grill, Sammy’s Sliders, Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Hot Head Burritos and IFBTA.
Our client, Rubix Foods, will also be talking on stage, with their VP of Marketing, Shannon O’Shields, leading the discussion on “Redefining Value in Fast Casual.”