Variables Will Have Immediate Impact on Food Service in 2025

It's no surprise that the food industry will be impacted by many variables this year including inflationary trends, tariffs and other policy changes, as well as labor costs, and climate change.

"Variables that will have an immediate impact on business in 2025, " said Phil Kafarakis, president & CEO of the International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA). "Whether or not the proposed tariff hikes come to be, several serious strategic issues continue to be debated in food company boardrooms that now require immediate decisions and alignment on action plans."

He suggests variables operators should focus on are those that have an immediate impact on business including raw ingredient prices, farm-related issues such as the harvest and changing weather, and labor costs.

"Raw materials, particularly core items, will continue to be expensive," Kafarakis added. "Between continuing inflation and disruptive weather patterns, the growing cycle has left food manufacturers weighing…