Marlin Connections

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Chicago, IL
Marlin Connections

Offering the most comprehensive Foodservice Marketing capabilities in the industry

09/03/2026

Huge news: our very own Vanessa Brandt is now Connections' new General Manager, and we couldn't be more excited.

Our new GM brings some seriously impressive chops to the table. As a mother of four, Vanessa’s ability to command a room and bring teams together comes naturally. She’s an exceptional leader and strategist with an impressive track record of brand development on a global scale, and her knack for recognizing and cultivating the very best parts of brands, talent, and work makes her an invaluable member of the Connections family.

Vanessa has been with Connections in its various forms for more than 15 years, starting as an Account Supervisor and working her way up to VP of Client Services before creating and leading the Strategic Connections and Performance team. This gives her incredible "big picture" perspective across every part of our agency, inspiring us and pushing us to evolve while sagely staying grounded in current realities.

Welcome to your new role, Vanessa! We're glad you're here!

08/17/2026

Is "value" even the right word anymore? 🍴 52% of diners say their idea of value shifted in the last six months — and it's not about cheap vs. premium anymore. It's about whether the meal was worth it. Our Q3 Report breaks down the new worth-it economy: why home still wins most meals, what makes convenience actually convenient, and why the "mushy middle" is the riskiest place for a brand to sit right now. Get the Report here: https://hubs.ly/Q04s7XNk0

What's "worth it" mean to your regulars lately? Tell us below 👇

08/14/2026

Last one for prep week, trend #5 🍕✨ Even pizza got a glow up. Speed-scratch cooking means real ingredients, fresh finishing, zero shortcuts you can taste. Nashville hot chicken and dippable proteins with scratch-made sauces, coming in hot. What should we scratch-make next?

08/13/2026

Prep week, trend #4 🍠 Plant-based, but make it comfort food. Sweet potato black bean chili and butternut squash enchiladas prove healthy can still taste like a hug. No afterthought energy here. Tag someone who needs this recipe.

08/12/2026

Prep week, trend #3 🌯 No fork, no problem. 68% of kids want food they can eat on the run so we built the menu around it. Breakfast burritos, Jamaican beef hand pies, nacho crunch sticks. Grab it, go, get on with your day. What's your go-to handheld?

08/11/2026

Prep week, trend #2 🧠 Brain food that actually slaps. Banana chocolate chip overnight oats are proof healthy doesn't mean boring. Fuel the day, keep the flavor. Who's trying this one first?

08/10/2026

Back-to-school prep week starts now 🎒 All week, we're counting down the trends taking over cafeteria trays this fall. Trend #1: Sweet heat, meet the lunch tray. 🌮🔥 Bulgogi tacos and BBQ sriracha chicken aren't "adventurous" anymore they're just Tuesday. Global flavor in a familiar shape = zero pushback, all flavor.

What's the boldest combo on your tray this week?

07/10/2026

We're an Analytics and Insights Manager!

Do you live at the intersection of data and storytelling? We're looking for someone who can pull the numbers and walk into a room (virtual, of course) to explain what they mean — and what we should do next.
As our Analytics and Insights Manager, you'll turn GA4, Salesforce, and HubSpot data into clear, compelling narratives that drive smarter decisions for our B2B foodservice clients and internal teams. You'll own performance reporting, champion new tools and visualization methods, and be a trusted analytical partner across the board.

If you're curious about the foodservice industry and want a seat where your strategic voice is genuinely heard, we want to hear from you.
https://hubs.ly/Q04pcRWy0

07/07/2026

We're hiring a Culinary R&D Manager to join our innovation team in Chicago!

This role is for the creative, commercially minded chef who loves to be at the table with clients. You won’t just be developing recipes; you’ll be a strategic partner shaping innovation pipelines for some of the biggest names in the restaurant industry.

What will you be doing?
Bridge the Gap: You’ll lead the full cycle of R&D—from initial ideation and trend research to final ex*****on and presentation.
Client Impact: You’ll act as a trusted advisor, leading high-stakes demonstrations and ideation sessions that result in menu placement.
Mentor & Lead: You’ll have the opportunity to manage and develop a team of talented culinary professionals, in a collaborative, fast-paced, and very fun environment.

If you have 5+ years of experience, a head for strategy, and love to translate trends into profitable menu solutions, we’d love to have you on the team.

Ready to cook? Apply here: https://hubs.ly/Q04nPpml0

06/02/2026

Membership has its privileges...want to be part of the best party of Restaurant Show Weekend?

Club Metamorphosis was SO. MUCH. FUN. From the stellar venue to the outrageous food and drinks and lavish entertainment, we're still celebrating over here. Were you one of the hundreds of foodservice people on the dancefloor? Did you get your tarot reading? Were you caught on camera wearing a butterfly mask? We're proud to host the wildest party of NRS every year, and we want you to be part of it. If you're a manufacturer, now is your chance to sponsor next year's shindig. It's a unique way to showcase your products and meet operators who are hungry for menu ideas. Networking has never been this fun...get in on the ground floor, then get on the dance floor.

For more information on sponsorship (or for an invite to next year's bash) send an email to [email protected]

Address

1758 W. Lake Street
Chicago, IL
60612

Website

https://marlinconnections.net/

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