In this episode, we dive into the Uncrustables lawsuit against Trader Joe’s and what it signals for the future of food product development, intellectual property, and the battle between CPG giants and private labels. As Smucker’s defends its iconic crustless sandwich, we explore how legal strategies are becoming a new line of defense in a fiercely competitive grocery landscape.We also cover the biggest food and beverage headlines shaking the industry this week:📉 Chipotle’s sales decline among low-income and Gen Z consumers🍗 KFC's shift away from bone-in chicken — is the fried chicken era changing?🥫 Heinz consumer sentiment hits decade lows ahead of a major corporate split🧠 Gen Z’s anti-algorithm movement and how it's reshaping digital food discovery🚨 The evolving SNAP shutdown fallout, with DoorDash, Feeding America, and ABC News sharing critical updates🥑 Whole Foods' 2026 food trend predictions — what's next in natural foods?💼 Whether you're in food tech, brand strategy, or retail operations, this episode unpacks the legal and market shifts shaping tomorrow’s menus and grocery aisles.👇 Explore the full stories below:
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In this episode, Ray breaks down the recent AWS outage and the devastating impact it had on restaurants. He discusses the Trump administration's proposal on beef imports from Argentina and the fight over Prop 12 in the upcoming farm bill. Ray also covers Nestle's announcement of 16k job cuts, the rally in Beyond Meat's stock, and a new cookbook utilizing recipes from gravestones.
Gravestone Recipe Cookbook (Rosie Grant)
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In this episode, Ray and Justin dive into the recent viral video by More Perfect Union, discussing how Sysco has become the largest food distributor in the country, and how this may affect the similarity of flavors amongst restaurants. Their answers may surprise you, especially when it comes to Sysco's perceived reach. Justin shares about social media users wanting more in-person experience and the decline of online usage from younger generations, Silo closing, EMP's reintroduction of meat, an interesting graphic on consumer goods, and more. Ray discusses the massive drop in Beyond Meat shares and the battle brewing between Logan Paul and Lionel Messi over their hydration beverage brands.
Links:
7shifts Digital Prep List Report + Quiz
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In this weekly report: Tyson Foods has settled a record-breaking lawsuit, in which it was accused of conspiring with other pork producers to fix prices. The government shutdown may have effects on the food industry, EJ Lagasse gets 3 stars in the NY Times, and Amazon is creating its own grocery brand for low-cost consumers.Ray breaks down the recent Restaurant Performance Index, and shares some lessons he found from a chef with 30 years of experience in r/KitchenConfidential. 0:00 Intro0:34 Tyson Price Fixing06:54 7Shifts Ad07:34 Government Shutdown12:40 EJ Lagasse NY Times Review19:08 Amazon’s New Grocery Brand21:08 Restaurant Performance Index24:30 Ramblings of an Old Chef
Links:
In this episode, Justin breaks down the recent collaboration between Airbnb and Chef's Table and how utilizing Airbnb events could be a major win for chefs. He also discusses the Food & Wine awards, the impact of LLMs on restaurant recommendations, a new book he's interested in, and more. Ray discusses the coming matcha shortage, some consumer data from the National Restaurant Association, and a key restaurant that is opening next month.
7shifts Digital Prep List Report + Quiz
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In this episode, Ray breaks down a New York Times Article, sharing how sushi has become a dietary commodity. He discusses Starbucks' massive layoff announcement, the cut to a USDA hunger report, why Americans are not eating breakfast, and offers advice to a Reddit user leaving the restaurant industry.
7shifts Digital Prep List Report + Quiz
Links:
Reddit Advice (Kitchen Closure)
Intro 00:00
Sushi 00:28
7shifts 10:46
Starbucks Layoffs 11:26
USDA 15:42
Breakfast 22:13
Leaving Restaurants 26:10
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In this episode, Ray breaks down how close to 10% of Americans are using Ozempic, and how this is affecting restaurants. He also breaks down the real reason behind Tesla creating a diner, and how the Pumpkin Spice Latte crushed expectations for Starbucks. He discusses the reporting mistakes made by Beyond Meat, breaks down how restaurants performed in July, examines a major food company breakup, and shares his thoughts on a new beverage trend. (Photo in thumbnail: Ye Fan for The New York Times)
Links:
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In this episode, Justin breaks down how Chefs are now making $100,000 more than ever before and why this trend is a major positive for the industry. He also shares reporting from the LA Times on a new restaurant transitioning from fine dining to casual, a restaurant closure in Washington, D.C., and a Business Insider piece on a Michelin-starred restaurant managing finances during this challenging time.Ray shares about a restaurant in Mexico City that charges customers only what they can afford, and how this is inspiring others in the industry to follow suit. He also shares about a new Netflix cooking competition that is taking place at The Culinary Institute of America, the trend of brand collabs, and how a variety of cabbage is taking over the London food scene.
Links:
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In this episode, Ray discusses an article by Chef Nick Curtin of Alouette. He discusses Chef's view on how foraging has impacted the food system of Denmark, and what we can take away from this impact. Ray then discusses how the Federal Takeover of D.C. has destroyed restaurant reservations. He then looks at how fast casual restaurants are not doing well, how honey is taking over consumer diets, and why AI displacements mean more workers in the food industry.
(Cover photo from Eater article)
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:45 Foraging Ruining Restaurants
14:07 DC Restaurants
20:29 Minimal Catch Up
22:13 Fast Casual Dining
28:36 Honey Consumption
30:38 AI Displacement
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Eleven Madison Park has decided that meat is back on the menu. Ray and Justin break down why they made this decision, the response from the food world to it, and much more. They also discuss how a Michelin-rated ice cream shop in Taiwan is a litmus test for the upcoming Michelin Guide release, the horrible story of a restaurant being stripped of its Michelin Stars due to the chef being arrested on an alleged assault charge, and much more.
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Joshua Weissman is facing a mountain of criticism for alleged poor behavior, plagiarism, and more. Justin and Ray break down the reporting on Joshua Weissman and warn of the lessons learned in the pattern of alleged behavior that has been reported on by one of YouTube's largest food content creators.Ray breaks down Uber's new AI investment, the latest news on beef and poultry pricing, and how agentic AI is being utilized by Walmart. He also examines some industry trends observed at the Fancy Foods Show. Justin breaks down the Wall Street Journal piece on how hotel rooms are getting smaller and how hotel brands are rethinking their approach to hospitality. (Images in YouTube video sourced from Rosenthal reporting.)Links:
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Other Resources
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In this episode of the Repertoire Report, Ray starts by discussing the tragic passing of Anne Burrell, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness in the food industry. He shares personal experiences with mental health struggles in the restaurant industry and stresses the significance of checking in on each other. The second part of the episode addresses the current financial crisis at Johnson and Wales University, analyzing an article that criticizes the school's administration and program offerings. Ray and Justin provide their perspectives on the future of culinary education and the steps needed to ensure its sustainability. The episode concludes with a call to action for mental health support and a discussion on the importance of culinary schools in offering comprehensive education beyond basic cooking skills.
Links:
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.) – Call or text 988 for free and confidential support.
International Hotlines – Global list of crisis and suicide prevention hotlines.
The Burnt Chef Project – Mental health resources tailored for hospitality professionals.
Humans of the Kitchen – Peer stories and mental health support for the culinary community.
The Rise and Fall of Johnson & Wales University (James G. Martin Center)
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Links:
Higher Starting Costs: https://www.foodandwine.com/restaurant-opening-costs-increase-post-pandemic-11776163
YouTube: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-21/how-youtube-is-shaping-a-new-generation-of-chefs
Travis Kalanick on All In, Discussing Lab Robotics: https://youtu.be/KypnjJSKi4o?si=toidvBcjlt3QF1wp
Pipedream: https://x.com/thegarrettscott/status/1944801083177505235
Nuance In The Gloom: https://x.com/a_food_maniac/status/1947466050485760128
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
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Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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Links:
Eater: https://www.eater.com/food-culture/893018/jose-andres-chef-humanitariancomic-book-hero
Food Dive 1: https://www.fooddive.com/news/us-ice-cream-makers-commit-to-artificial-dye-phase-out-by-2028/753065/
Food Dive 2: https://www.fooddive.com/news/tariffs-meat-drive-inflation-conagra-cfo-says/752918/
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-09/chocolate-makers-burned-again-as-shortages-hit-cocoa-powder?srnd=phx-industries-consumer
Axios: https://www.axios.com/local/san-francisco/2025/07/15/korean-food-popularity-sf-ca
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
Rate the show on Spotify
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for one-on-one Coaching with Justin
Browse the gear used to create this
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Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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Links:
QSR: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/why-back-of-house-clarity-for-restaurants-is-key-to-navigating-an-uncertain-economy/
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-07-07/starbucks-menu-news-chain-wants-to-get-rid-of-canola-oil-in-its-food?srnd=phx-industries-consumer
Red Lobster: https://www.campaignlive.com/article/popular-ceo-viral-seafood-boils-story-behind-red-lobsters-biz-comeback/1923541
Food Dive: https://www.fooddive.com/news/walmart-case-ready-beef-facility-supply-chain-opening/752325/
Fashion: https://thefashionography.com/fashion/why-fashion-brands-are-suddenly-hungry-for-food-ventures/
Belmond: https://www.belmond.com/trains/europe/uk/britannic-explorer
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
Rate the show on Spotify
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for one-on-one Coaching with Justin
Browse the gear used to create this
💌Send me mail:
Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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Links:
Nissin: https://www.fooddive.com/news/ramen-maker-nissin-launches-brand-to-attract-glp-1-users-health-conscious/751390/
Alinea: https://chicago.eater.com/closings/159756/fire-restaurant-closing-fulton-market-chicago-grant-achatz-alinea-group
Food Navigator: https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2025/07/01/glp-1s-food-industry-response/
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-30/starbucks-beefs-up-hiring-process-in-search-for-best-baristas?srnd=phx-industries-consumer
National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/restaurant-performance-
index/
Wingstop: https://www.qsrmagazine.com/story/is-wingstop-on-the-verge-of-another-sales-tear/
Florida's New Law: https://www.tallahassee.com/story/entertainment/restaurants/2025/06/30/tallahassee-restaurants-feel-impact-of-no-shows-support-new-law/84322780007/
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
Rate the show on Spotify
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for one-on-one Coaching with Justin
Browse the gear used to create this
💌Send me mail:
Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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inks: JBS: https://www.fooddive.com/news/jbs-sec-approves-listing-nyse-meat-beef/746270/ World's 50 Best: https://www.theworlds50best.com/ Daniel Patterson: https://www.instagram.com/chefdanielpatterson/?hl=en Reservation Charges: https://people.com/restaurant-charges-diners-with-more-or-fewer-people-than-their-reservation-11754617
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
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Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
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Browse the gear used to create this
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Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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National Restaurant Association: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/restaurant-performance-index/
Axios: https://www.axios.com/local/washington-dc/2025/04/14/michelin-guide-dc-star-restaurants-virginia-declines
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-10/whole-foods-supplier-hack-leaves-empty-shelves-stalls-forklifts?srnd=phx-industries
Food Dive: https://www.fooddive.com/news/how-nerds-gummy-clusters-became-the-candy-aisles-biggest-hit/748865/
NRN: https://www.nrn.com/expert-opinions/using-ai-to-write-help-wanted-posts-that-actually-work
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
Rate the show on Spotify
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for one-on-one Coaching with Justin
Browse the gear used to create this
💌Send me mail:
Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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National Restaurant Association Reporting: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/analysis-commentary/restaurants-projected-to-add-490k-seasonal-jobs-this-summer/
Klarna: https://restaurant.org/research-and-media/research/restaurant-economic-insights/analysis-commentary/restaurants-projected-to-add-490k-seasonal-jobs-this-summer/
Bloomberg: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-05-27/higher-food-prices-from-tariffs-has-restaurants-asking-sysco-for-help
NBC New York: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/mcdonalds-is-closing-its-cosmcs-restaurants/6277501/
Food Dive 1: https://www.fooddive.com/news/kraft-heinz-confirms-3-billion-investment-manufacturing-factory-mac-cheese-ketchup-tariffs-trump/748790/
Food Dive 2: https://www.fooddive.com/news/snap-congress-proposed-cuts-fmi-nga/748701/
Eater: https://www.eater.com/2025/5/22/24435230/food-stamps-cuts-snap-economic-policy-trump-farm-bill
Justin's Instagram: @justinkhanna
Follow The Repertoire Podcast on Instagram: @joinrepertoire
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What's next? 👇
Take the 5-Day-Kitchen-Productivity Challenge
Support the show for $19 a month via the Repertoire Pro Community for Industry Professionals
My latest upload on YouTube
Rate the show on Spotify
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
Get in touch with Justin
Follow along on Instagram
Sign up for one-on-one Coaching with Justin
Browse the gear used to create this
💌Send me mail:
Justin Khanna
5920 MLK Jr. Way S
Unit 18272
Seattle, WA 98118 USA
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