Maggie Hennessy

To better understand the appeal of the coffeehouse experience, foodservice design firm Food Concepts Inc. deployed a team last year to visit chain and independent coffee shops and identify the elements of the café experience. Here are the top 20 answers.

As summer heats up, a recipe for mini brat corn dogs with cheddar beer sauce channels sunny afternoons at the ballpark, while a “razzy mary” with sweet berries and veggies is a fun, healthful nod to the cocktail hour.

For an industry built on prioritizing convenience, supporting healthier lifestyles is as much about changing consumer perceptions as it is about the logistics of stocking and moving more fresh, nourishing food options.

Competition will heat up as market fragmentation continues