It’s that time of year again, when foodservice market research brings a feast of forecasts to the table. But 2023 is unique—a year at the crossroads between a fading pandemic and fresh economic realities—some favorable, some not so much.
Great Explorations: Global Influences Elevate Menus with a World Of Culinary Creativity
Topics: Trends, Global, Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Menu Strategy, Culinary
Autumn Appetites: Consumers Fall for a Shift in Seasonal Flavors
Pumpkin spice, anyone? Yep, it’s that time of year again. Summer is winding down, the temperature is dropping, and a cornucopia of fall flavors are cropping up on menus and store shelves everywhere.
Topics: Trends, Seasonal, Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Menu Strategy, Recipes, Culinary, Limited Time Offers (LTOs)
A Season to Savor: Holiday Menu Food for Thought
Every year foodservice operators hope consumers deliver an eagerly anticipated holiday gift: a surge in sales. This year, the market research firm Datassential is the bearer of glad tidings in its Foodbytes Holiday Issue, and there are positive signs that the industry will continue to ring up strong sales long after ringing in the new year.
While many operators are understandably wrapped up in supply chain and labor shortage challenges, the industry can still take comfort and joy in the nationwide rollout of vaccines and the rollback of restrictions. Virus variants may add to an air of uncertainty, but as Renee Lee Wege, senior publications manager at Datassential, put it: “As always, though, the industry has proven time and time again throughout the pandemic just how innovative and resilient it is, and there’s no doubt that’ll continue.”1
Topics: Trends, Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Menu Strategy, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Culinary, Fast-Casual Restaurant, Off-Premises
How The Cookies Crumbl: Cookies Hit Sweet Spot on National Cookie Day and Every Day
Foodservice operators who are hungry for sales can always count on cookies. In fact, the beloved baked goods staple raises so much dough at limited service restaurants, cookies are the segment’s most menued dessert item.
Topics: Desserts, Cookies/Bars/Snacks, Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Operations, Culinary, Branded Ingredients, Limited Time Offers (LTOs)
Menu Innovation Mania: Global Trends Reflect Hunger for Fearless Flavor Profiles
Consumers favor flavor when it comes to menu attributes—and that applies to both limited-service and full-service restaurants and across generations, according to survey data from the market research firm Technomic. Overall, consumers rank “appealing taste and flavor” the top traffic driver for LSRs (60%) and FSRs (64%).1
Topics: Menu, Flavors & Ingredients, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Flavor Profiles, Fast-Food Restaurants