Food Consumer Insights

Trend - As entertainment increasingly shapes consumer culture, food and beverage brands are adopting cinema-inspired menus, collaborations, and immersive branding across quick-service and retail formats; transforming entertainment into an everyday consumption cue beyond theaters.

Insight - Many consumers are no longer choosing food and beverage products based only on convenience or taste, but on their ability to create emotionally engaging experiences tied to identity and culture. As entertainment franchises become more embedded in everyday life, cinema-inspired branding and themed menus allow brands to turn ordinary consumption into moments of participation, nostalgia, and social relevance; making fast, accessible purchases feel more immersive and culturally expressive.

Trend - As consumers increasingly prioritize protein in their daily diets, food brands are reimagining traditionally indulgent categories like cheese through a functional lens; introducing higher-protein options that align with evolving wellness expectations while preserving familiarity and comfort.

Insight - Many consumers are looking for healthier choices that don't require major lifestyle changes or sacrificing familiar foods. As wellness routines become more demanding and difficult to maintain, smaller nutritional upgrades feel more achievable and sustainable. Protein-rich cheese responds to this shift by reframing an everyday food item as a functional wellness product; allowing consumers to participate in health-conscious behaviors through low-effort, accessible choices.

Trend - Snack brands are introducing soccer-inspired chips through limited-edition packaging, collectible promotions and globally themed flavors tied to major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup; positioning chips as celebratory products that extend matchday engagement beyond the screen.

Insight - As global sporting events continue shaping entertainment and consumption habits, consumers are seeking products that create stronger cultural and emotional connections. Snack brands are responding by turning familiar products into event-driven experiences through themed packaging, collectible elements and FIFA-focused marketing—allowing consumers to participate in global sports culture through accessible, social and highly shareable purchases tied to communal viewing occasions.

Trend - Restaurants are increasingly transforming the “girl dinner” phenomenon into formal evening experiences by introducing curated combinations of comfort foods, snack-style plates and low-pressure social meal experiences—prioritizing shareable rituals over traditional ideas of dining.

Insight - As consumers experience growing social burnout, financial pressure and fatigue around optimization culture, many are gravitating toward dining experiences that feel emotionally easy and low-effort. As such, traditional meal structures can feel overly formal or functional, particularly for younger consumers seeking flexibility and comfort. "Girl dinner” formats can respond to this shift by offering a sense of ease and relatability—a socially accepted form of connection and self-expression.

Trend - Bakery brands are standing out by shifting operations into late-night hours with freshly baked goods, specialty drinks, and exclusive nighttime menus. Offerings range from midnight pastry drops to dessert-focused menus designed for consumers seeking convenient late-night indulgences.

Insight - Many Gen Z and Millennial consumers see traditional nightlife venues as costly, overstimulating, or emotionally unfulfilling, increasing demand for casual late-night spaces. In response, bakeries are becoming after-hours destinations centered on indulgent treats and social connection. By offering a softer alternative to bars and clubs, late-night bakeries can alleviate these factors—driving repeat visits and stronger emotional loyalty among younger consumers who seek low-pressure experiences.

Trend - Curated dessert boxes are emerging as a structured retail format that bundles treats into cohesive, themed assortments, often rotating by season or occasion. These offerings leverage packaging design and portion variety to create a premium gifting and at-home consumption experiences.

Insight - Consumers are increasingly seeking moments of enjoyment that feel intentional and emotionally rewarding within everyday routines. As such, indulgence is no longer defined solely by taste, but by the ability to create a sense of pause, novelty, or personal escape. Curated assortments can respond to this by shaping consumption into a more considered experience, offering variety and cohesion that elevates routine moments without requiring added effort or expense.

Trend - In an experimental landscape of bold, unexpected flavors, banana remains a staple that brands continue to reinterpret across food and beverage categories. From drinks to snacks and desserts, its familiar sweetness is elevated through global or regional influences and premium pairings.

Insight - Today’s consumers are drawn to flavors that balance nostalgia with novelty, and common fruits deliver on both fronts. Moreover, natural sweetness, versatility, and strong emotional associations make everyday ingredients widely appealing, while adaptability allows for creative pairings across indulgent and better-for-you formats. As shoppers increasingly seek approachable yet elevated taste experiences, banana can offer brands a low-risk way to innovate while still tapping into familiarity and cross-generational interest.

Trend - Brands are using ssamjang, a thick, savory Korean paste traditionally served with grilled meats and lettuce wraps in Korean barbecue, as a sauce or spread on Western dishes. This umami depth mimics the role of condiments like Worcestershire or steak sauce but adds complexity thanks to fermentation.

Insight - The growing popularity of Korean culture, fueled by K-pop and other forms of Korean media, has brought new ingredients and flavors to global consumers' attention. Interest in umami-rich, fermented foods is prompting brands to experiment with sauces that blend these notes while complementing Western cuisine. Companies in this space understand that their target consumers are drawn to culturally inspired flavors but are more willing to experiment when they are presented in approachable formats.

Trend - As competition intensifies, food and beverage brands are differentiating themselves by introducing beer-infused menu items and packaged goods. From beer-laced desserts to bold soups, these offerings blend craft brewing with everyday foods to deliver distinctive, experience-driven taste profiles.

Insight - Today’s experience-driven consumers are increasingly drawn to bold, layered flavors that elevate everyday eating. As culinary curiosity grows, shoppers are seeking products that feel artisanal, novel, and shareable. For brands in saturated categories, these infusions offer a way to stand out and align with the cultural cachet of the craft beverage movement. Beer-infused foods can tap into this demand by blending familiar comfort items with craft brewing notes like hops, malt, and stout richness.

Trend - The rise of vegan breakfast sandwiches and meals in QSRs and restaurants speaks to businesses' increased need to be more adaptive and flexible when it comes to consumers' more niche preferences.

Insight - Now that North American consumers are increasingly prioritizing things like nutrients and ethical consumption in their food and beverage items, veganism has grown in popularity. Consumers are turning to brands that are able to adapt to these dietary restrictions in a way that still prioritizes flavor.