A Handrail, Not a Handcuff: A Conversation with Jennifer Wilder-Smith, Director of Marketing, BiRite Foodservice Distributors
There are people in this industry who planned every step. And then there are people who stumbled into it, stayed because something clicked, and quietly became some of the most sophisticated practitioners in the room. Jennifer Wilder-Smith is firmly in the second camp. With more than two decades in foodservice — most of them at […]
Will AI Replace Foodservice Marketing?
By Edward Zimmerman | The Food Connector Every few years, a new technology arrives in the foodservice industry and someone declares that marketing as we know it is finished. Email would kill trade show relationships. Social media would make salespeople obsolete. And now, artificial intelligence is supposedly coming for your marketing team. The question isn’t […]
Finding the Right Fit: A Conversation with Ron Torch, CEO Torch Group
I’ve been in the food industry long enough to know that the hardest problems rarely announce themselves. They tend to show up quietly — in a hire that didn’t stick, a team that couldn’t execute, a leader who looked great on paper but couldn’t navigate the culture. Which is why, when I sat down recently […]
Becoming a Food Connector
People Connect Teachers connect students to knowledge Grant writers connect funding to needs Brokers connect buyers and sellers Distributors connect suppliers to operators I’ve always had a natural curiosity about how things work. How people made money. How buildings were built. As my career developed in my 30’s, I started seeing patterns, I asked a […]
Where Are the Eyeballs?
The Attention Fragmentation Problem Foodservice B2B Marketers Face – And The Solution! When I was a kid, media strategy was simple. There were three TV stations—ABC, NBC, CBS—and you knew where to find your audience. Then cable exploded that model into hundreds of channels, but at least the distribution logic remained: buy spots where your […]
Why Updating Your Logo Matters for Foodservice Companies
In the foodservice industry, first impressions matter. Your logo is often the first thing potential customers see, and it plays a crucial role in shaping their perception of your brand. If your logo looks outdated, unclear, or inconsistent across platforms, it may be time for an upgrade. A refreshed logo not only enhances your brand […]
The Rise of Digital Menus: How Technology is Shaping Foodservice Marketing
The foodservice industry is evolving at a rapid pace, and digital menus have emerged as one of the most influential tools reshaping how operators and marketers connect with their customers. From QR codes on tables to AI-driven menu personalization, digital menus are no longer just a pandemic-era solution—they are becoming a cornerstone of modern foodservice […]
5 Trends Shaping 2025 and How The Food Connector Can Help
B2B marketing is evolving fast, and nowhere is that more apparent than in the foodservice industry. As restaurant operators, chefs, and institutional buyers increasingly turn to digital platforms for research and purchasing, brands that don’t adapt risk falling behind. At The Food Connector, we help foodservice manufacturers, distributors, and brokers stay ahead of these trends […]
5 Digital Marketing Trends Driving Leads in 2025
As businesses strive to capture consumer attention in an increasingly crowded digital landscape, understanding and leveraging emerging marketing trends is crucial for lead generation. Here are five trends shaping the digital marketing world in 2025: 1. Video Content Dominance Video continues to reign supreme as a preferred medium for engaging audiences. By 2025, video content […]
Plan Your 2025 Marketing Strategy: Insights from The Food Connector
As we move closer to 2025, planning your marketing strategy is essential for standing out in the ever-changing foodservice industry. With shifting consumer demands, technological advancements, and new marketing channels emerging, proactive planning helps ensure your business is positioned for growth and success. At The Food Connector, we specialize in foodservice marketing, helping clients maximize […]