Product/Process Innovation

Restaurants Use Condiments To Expand Menus

As restaurants begin recovering from the pandemic, they are finding ways to add appeal to their menus.

Some have added new items to the menu, like Taco Bell with its Chicken Sandwich Taco and Cantina Crispy Melt Taco. Taco Bell is taking it a step further by looking to add chicken wings to the menu. Chicken wings have been a popular item during the pandemic, and Taco Bell wants to cash in on the popularity of chicken wings and chicken sandwiches.

Adding […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2021-10-25T05:03:26+00:00October 25, 2021|Tags: efficiency, fast casual restaurants, inventory management, product design, quick serve restaurants, service design|

Extreme Flavors in the Food and Beverage Industry

A wide variety of companies are adding new flavors.

Pepsi has recently introduced Pepsi Hot Chocolate, Pepsi Peeps, and Pepsi Apple Pie.

Anheuser-Busch introduced the Bud Light Seltzer Retro Summer Variety Pack with retro flavors like Blue Raspberry and Cherry Limeade. These flavors were also released as Bud Light Seltzer Frozen Popsicles.

In many cases, instead of using a totally new flavor, these new flavors combine two established flavors, like Mountain Dew and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.

Additionally, many product offerings are Limited Time Offerings […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2021-10-12T07:00:49+00:00October 12, 2021|Tags: forecasting, product design|

The Return of Shrinkflation

Shrinkflation is the practice of shrinking the size of the package, and is primarily used during times of inflation to keep the price of a package constant.

However, the practice also increases per unit price.

This approach was heavily used during the 1960s and 1970s, a time period known for high inflation rates. During these decades, candy, especially chocolate bars, changed their size to keep their price constant. Keeping a candy bar’s price constant is important, as many concession stands sell items […]

By Ross L. Fink, Ph.D.|2021-10-12T06:13:19+00:00October 11, 2021|Tags: packaging, product design, product redesign, shrinkflation|

Tesla Makes its Own Chips during Supply Shortage

Tesla can shrug off the chip shortage. The company makes its own chips, and they are better!

Much has been said about the chip shortage plaguing US manufacturers and its effect on car prices. However, this crisis has enabled Tesla to showcase its innovativeness and resilience to supply chain disruptions. As early as 2016, the company started developing a chip with a superior design. It is now reaping the benefits of its foresight and investments.

Video Spotlight: Elon […]

By Corinne M. Karuppan, Ph.D.|2021-09-29T18:48:36+00:00October 7, 2021|Tags: bottleneck, carbon footprint, competitivness, insourcing, product design, shortage, sourcing|