US Millennials and Gen Z Are Losing Hours Each Week to Food Friction. Tempo's Cook Never Club Wants to Give It Back.
Rhea-AI Summary
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), through its Home Chef brand’s ready-to-heat service Tempo, released survey findings showing Americans spend over six hours weekly on meal planning, shopping, cooking and cleanup, or more than 300 hours a year. Tempo reports 42% cut relaxation time and nearly one in three skip workouts due to meal prep demands, while 67% value reclaiming this time.
To address this “food friction,” Tempo is launching the Cook Never Club, encouraging consumers to “Eat Better, Cook Never” via exclusive merchandise, social content and wellness events. Tempo offers over 20 rotating, registered dietitian‑approved, single‑serve meals ready in two minutes, with options emphasizing higher protein, moderated carbohydrates, fiber and GLP‑1‑aligned choices.
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News Market Reaction – KR
In the Jul 14 session, KR declined 0.96%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jul 06 | Community campaign | Neutral | +0.1% | Akin and Kroger launch “Bundles of Love” baby essentials campaign in select markets. |
| Jul 02 | Leadership change | Neutral | +3.5% | Kroger appoints Emilee De Martino as Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer. |
| Jul 01 | Charity campaign | Neutral | +1.3% | Harris Teeter launches Together in Education Round Up campaign for local nonprofits. |
| Jul 01 | Acquisition agreement | Neutral | +1.3% | Kroger agrees to acquire Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion in cash and assumed liabilities. |
| Jun 26 | Promotional campaign | Neutral | -0.1% | Kroger promotes July 4th “flight” food experiences with savings and loyalty rewards. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
glp-1 medical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
New survey finds Americans spend more than six hours each week on meal planning, grocery shopping, cooking and cleanup.
The toll goes beyond the clock.
Introducing the Cook Never Club
To help people reclaim their time this summer, Tempo is launching the Cook Never Club, a community built around a simple idea: opting out of cooking shouldn't mean opting out of eating well.
The only membership requirement is to opt-out of cooking and opt-in to more time well spent. No fees, no gatekeeping, just a shared mindset for anyone who wants to Eat Better, Cook Never. The Cook Never Club will come to life through exclusive merchandise giveaways, social content and in-person wellness events throughout the summer.
The Data Behind the Movement
Tempo's survey surfaces a growing tension at the center of American life, which is that people want to eat healthier, but the daily time and labor involved is standing in the way
83% of Americans say they'd like to improve the way they eat50% say cooking is more frustrating than it's worth38% have ordered takeout despite having groceries at home, simply because they didn't have the energy to cook67% say getting back time lost to food-related tasks would be extremely or very valuable
This isn't a motivation problem, it's a food friction problem.
What Tempo Offers
Tempo delivers fully prepared, single-serve meals ready to enjoy in just two minutes, with no meal planning, no prepping,no cleanup and especially, no cooking. Each meal is made with fresh ingredients on a menu approved by registered dietitians, so eating well doesn't come with compromise.
Customers choose from more than 20 rotating weekly meals, many featuring:
- 30+ grams of protein
- Fewer than 35 grams of carbohydrates
20% + of the daily value of fiber- GLP-1 Smart, wellness forward options for those managing metabolic wellness goals
- Gut-friendly ingredients
Side Quests Welcome
Part of the Cook Never Club philosophy is that the hours saved in the kitchen and grocery store should go toward things that actually bring joy. Maybe that's a pottery class, bird watching, a sunrise run or finally learning to play mahjong. The Tempo team is taking on a side quest of their own and partnering with RISE Pilates Chicago for three free outdoor Pilates events this summer.
Tempo's Cook Never Club x RISE Pilates at Oak Street Beach
- When: July 17, July 31 and August 7 at 6:00 a.m. CT
- Where: Oak Street Beach,
Chicago, Illinois - What: Free lakeside Pilates, Cook Never Club merchandise and a chance to win one month of free Tempo meals
To learn more about Cook Never Club or enter to win exclusive merchandise, visit eat.tempomeals.com/cook-never-club or follow @TempoMeals on Instagram for event updates, giveaways and more opportunities to Eat Better, Cook Never.
About Tempo
Launched in 2023, Tempo is a ready-to-heat meal delivery service from the team at Home Chef that delivers delicious, single-serving meals right to your door. These balanced, registered dietitian-approved menus offer a simple solution to mindful meal prep and cook in just 2 minutes. Tempo and Home Chef are a part of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) Family of Companies. Find out more at tempomeals.com.
The Cook Never Club survey was conducted by We Are Talker among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 20-40 from June 2 - 5, 2026. Results were weighted to reflect the national population.
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SOURCE Home Chef