Food Consumer Insights

Trend - Brands are expanding savory snack portfolios with kimchi-inspired chip varieties that bring fermented Korean flavors into conventional packaged snacks; creating a format that encourages culinary exploration while remaining convenient and accessible for everyday consumption.

Insight - Millennial and Gen-Z consumers increasingly view snacking as an opportunity to discover new flavors rather than simply satisfy hunger, as they discover global cuisines through social media and travel. Kimchi-inspired chips cater to this shift by making a traditionally fermented Korean ingredient more approachable through a familiar format. Consequently, brands can encourage trial, differentiate their offerings, and meet growing demand for globally inspired food experiences.

Trend - CPG brands are introducing snack formats specifically designed for sharing, including larger pack sizes, assortment mixes, resealable packaging, and products intended for communal consumption; repositioning packaged snacks from single-serve items into socially oriented offerings.

Insight - As Gen Z and Millennial consumers place greater value on casual social gatherings and shared experiences, demand is growing for products that seamlessly fit group occasions. Shareable snack formats respond to this by making packaged foods easier to serve, pass around, and enjoy collectively. As such, brands that support these evolving consumption habits can strengthen relevance by positioning everyday snacks as an integral part of connection and social rituals.

Trend - Brands are launching immersive ice cream pop-ups where limited-edition treats, custom flavors, playful branding and interactive environments transform a familiar summer indulgence into a memorable experiential activation that strengthens consumer engagement and encourages in-person participation.

Insight - As consumers continue seeking experiences that feel both shareable and emotionally engaging, brands are using ice cream pop-ups to extend their identities beyond traditional retail and into lifestyle moments. From custom packaging and branded toppings to themed installations, these activations can turn a simple frozen treat into a tangible expression of the brand—offering a low-barrier, high-impact way to create memorable interactions that resonate long after the experience ends.

Trend - QSR brands are increasingly introducing limited-edition collectible cups featuring nostalgic designs, brand anniversaries, and entertainment partnerships—transforming beverage packaging into keepsakes that encourage repeat purchases and consumer engagement.

Insight - As consumers seek deeper connections with brands, packaging is becoming a larger part of the brand experience. By creating packaging that consumers want to collect and share, QSR brands can generate social buzz while strengthening brand affinity, serving as both a functional item and a powerful brand touchpoint. As such, collectible cups may appeal to consumers' desire for nostalgia, exclusivity, and self-expression, transforming routine purchases into memorable experiences.

Trend - Food, beverage, and QSR brands are incorporating customizable illustrations, colorable graphics, and participatory design elements into product exteriors to encourage hands-on engagement and personal expression; resulting in packaging that functions as an experiential touchpoint.

Insight - As consumers increasingly seek hands-on, screen-free activities and more meaningful interactions, brands are reimagining packaging as a creative engagement tool rather than a purely functional container. By incorporating colorable and participatory design elements, brands can extend engagement beyond the point of purchase—transforming food and beverage packaging into a memorable experience that strengthens emotional connections while supporting creativity in a simple, yet effective way.

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.