Chaos cooking, a culinary movement popularized by TikTok, involves combining unexpected ingredients to create bold, experimental dishes like birria ramen. Its playful fusion especially resonates with Gen Z.
Gen Z and Gen Alpha are driving food trends with a focus on health-conscious, yet adventurous eating, according to research by Chartwells Higher Education. Emerging favorites among today’s youth include cottage cheese, as well as miso.
The 2024 PLMA Trade Show showcased private label’s ascent, with U.S. store brand sales projected to surpass $250 billion this year. Trends like globally inspired dips and coffeehouse-style beverages at home captured consumer interest.
The latest financial data shows Cava is enjoying tremendous success, outpacing the fast-casual dining segment and sustaining jaw-dropping growth. Some of this success is likely thanks to its Gen Z engagement strategy.
Nestlé U.S. predicts that the top 2025 F&B trends will include “accessible experimentation,” wellness-focused functional foods, and extreme convenience. These trends reflect growing consumer desires for quick, healthy, and affordable food.
The U.S. has seen a surge in coffee shops in small towns. The growth is fueled largely by iced, sugary drinks popular among Gen Z and millennials, which are driving the industry toward more drive-thrus and social media-friendly options.
Filipino cuisine is experiencing a surge in popularity in the U.S., particularly among Gen Z, with interest rising 50% in the past year. A key factor: the growing appeal of bold, affordable dishes.
At a recent Hugo Boss event, The Food Institute’s Brian Choi and Jump Rope Innovation’s Robyn Carter discussed effective modern leadership and the state of the food industry today.
Piper Sandler’s “Taking Stock With Teens” survey reveals that Gen Z favors Chick-fil-A, Monster, and Goldfish, respectively. More than anything, brands that prioritize convenience and energy remain the top choices.
A health scare inspired CEO Katie Lefkowitz to create gut-friendly snack bars. She ended up with a sweet solution in the form of date caramel candy bars.
A new report from 84.51° highlights key shifts shaping the future grocery shopper, including an aging, more diverse population, and the growth of single-person and multigenerational households.
A new report reveals that 52% of consumers value convenience more than before. Grocers are responding by investing in convenience offerings, but face challenges competing with C-stores.
The latest FI Fast Break news podcast touches on McDonald’s increasing shift into automation at cash registers.
According to a recent survey of college students, affordable protein sources and international flavors are among the top food preferences of college students in 2024.
The latest Food Institute Fast Break news podcast touches on the growing threat of African Swine Fever overseas.
Building trust is imperative when attempting to win over Gen Z consumers – and that notion was reinforced by a study released Monday morning.
Dr. Pepper: call it soda or call it pop, but either way, there’s a new no. 2 soda in America, and it isn’t Pepsi.
One in five consumers plan on grilling more this summer according to new shopper survey insights from Acosta Group.
Gen Z workers reported being less engaged with their jobs than all workers (81% versus 88%) and continue to drive the “quiet quitting” trend according to new research.
“Gen Z is tapped in, and they see the negative impact alcohol can have on their lives,” said Michelle Houston, founder of the To Be Honest Beverage Company.
The event’s exhibitors focused on foods, drinks, and equipment designed to help foodservice operators create unique taste experiences. Beyond offering crave-worthy fusion dishes and fun iced beverages, exhibitors offered a wide array of vending machines on the show floor.
Don’t look now, but Gen Alpha’s influence in the food industry is rising due to its increasing interest in cooking.
According to a new survey from Lending Tree, a staggering 80% of consumers now consider fast food a luxury because it’s so expensive.
Young adults are turning to drinks like cold brews and ube lattes as they seek self-care while partaking in “little treat culture.”
A new report from Gen Z research and strategy firm dcdx noted the importance of brand magnetism for the CPG industry to attract young consumers.
The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on Gen Z’s mounting credit card debt, Gen Alpha’s love of cooking, and more.
In the wild world of beverages, any edge on the competition may be enough to resurrect an LTO from the past or push it into full-time production.
Some of the takeaways from the Circana report indicate that inflation has generally gone pretty easy on the beverage category, prompting marketing teams to “promote their relative price stability and find ways to demonstrate value, recognizing that ‘value’ doesn’t always mean lower price,” and that premium categories continue to outperform more value-based brand propositions.
Among CPG energy drink brands, Celsius over-indexes with teens, with 17% citing it as their favorite energy drink brand (vs. ~12% market share) while Monster and Red Bull under-index. Among snack brands, Campbell’s Goldfish are still most preferred. Teens report highest intentions to eat more or the same amount of Mondelez’s Clif Bar and Hershey’s products.
For starters, the global demographic landscape is undergoing a noteworthy transformation, with “second lifers” – those embarking on new chapters post-retirement – emerging as a powerful group of consumers. By 2050, the over-60 demographic is expected to double. This shift is pushing the market towards balanced nutrition.
A wrap battle is booming in the QSR arena. By remixing preexisting ingredients with build-your-own appeal, major players are producing flavor-drenched “hunger hacks” and fresh affordable snacks that span dayparts.
According to brand strategy experts, Gen Z consumers currently seek experiences and cultural relevance from CPG companies.
Try as plant-based brands might, traditional meats remain the largest generator of revenue in fresh departments, according to recent findings.
The arrival of McDonald’s new CosMc’s concept sent a wave of excitement rippling through the fast-food world.
Many brands miss the mark when they attempt to connect with Gen Z – a cohort that’s now coming into economic power.
Just as baby boomers changed everything that came before them, Gen Z consumers, the oldest of whom are now 26, is poised to do the same, demanding everything from corporate accountability to guaranteed minimum income …
