The agency, now operating simply as CORE, is positioning itself to navigate what it calls an "occasion economy." According to Graham Humphreys, president of the agency's consulting arm, The Culinary Edge, modern consumers are increasingly selective, viewing every purchase as a deliberate auction for their time and money. This shift toward specific need-states—whether for a quick lunch or social indulgence—has forced operators to move beyond basic concerns over labor or food costs to focus on driving traffic through highly curated experiences.
CORE Rebrands to Meet Shifting Consumer Occasion Economy
As consumer spending habits fragment into a complex landscape of specific needs rather than traditional market segments, the agency formerly known as CORE Foodservice is rebranding to signal its shift toward AI-driven insights and expanded beverage consulting for the away-from-home sector.
Since joining the Acosta Group in 2021, the firm has aggressively diversified its portfolio. This includes the integration of San Francisco-based consultancy The Culinary Edge, the launch of a dedicated adult beverage division, and a broader reach into convenience and retail-perimeter channels. President Travis King noted that the rebranding serves as a bridge to these new capabilities, which now include proprietary AI models designed to synthesize complex consumer behavior data into actionable training and trend forecasting. By combining culinary expertise with data analytics, the agency aims to act as a singular resource for brands looking to secure a foothold in a volatile, demand-driven market.
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first!