Crab Rangoon is riding a wave of nostalgic virality, evolving from comfort food to cultural icon. Its playful reinventions and mass appeal offer operators a low-barrier entry into high-impact, trend-driven dining.
Once rooted in Filipino comfort food, ube is now infusing menus and retail shelves with color and cultural depth. F&B leaders are embracing it as both a flavor trend and storytelling vehicle.
The 2025 National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago showcased groundbreaking foodservice innovations, from globally inspired comfort foods to cutting-edge pizza solutions. Business leaders also displayed the latest AI-driven data analytics, revealing a dynamic future in which tech drives growth in the industry.
Despite economic uncertainty, consumers appear determined to celebrate this summer, adapting their spending by embracing private-label brands, and potlucks while seeking affordable luxuries like indulgent snacks. Shoppers seek indulgence with a focus on emotional value.
Comfort food remains a powerful force in the food industry, with brands like Stouffer’s leading the way in reinventing beloved classics to align with evolving consumer tastes. As restaurants lean further into “permissible indulgence,” the opportunity to customize and elevate familiar favorites presents a lucrative avenue for operators.
Interest in ramen has grown over the past five years, with mentions of ramen entrees increasing more than 32% during the period, mostly at full-service restaurants.
Consumers are still loving all things fried. Market research service Mintel Menu Insights found that the number of fried foods on U.S. restaurant menus rose 5% during the first three quarters of 2021. And with …
The pandemic era strengthened food and beverage trends like health, wellness and nostalgic indulgence. While contradictory at first glance, these behaviors are finding alignment as consumers redefine what constitutes “healthy” behavior. Health and wellness are …
ANAHEIM, Calif. – Natural Products Expo West 2022 was a welcome moment of normalcy for the food industry. The Anaheim Convention Center buzzed with an energy that hadn’t been felt since 2019 – when the …
Campbell’s Soup released its third-quarter results and updated full-year guidance this morning. Shares of the company (Ticker: CPB) are trading down close to 7% pre-market as of 8am ET as investors react to the results: Net …
Stress and uncertainty cause people to seek out comfort rather than challenge. And, with 2020 presenting so many challenges, it’s no wonder that the “comfort economy” is booming. Trends in sectors ranging from technology to …
Food Institute Focus – Consumers Turn to Comfort Food
