# Blurred QSR The line between appetizer and main is blurred in casual dining. By [Armida Ascano](https://www.trendhunter.com/Armida), Chief Insights Officer | Published Apr 26, 2017 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/blurred-qsr ## Key Figures - Trend score: 1.9/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Blurred QSR trend? **Blurred QSR:** As the mainstream consumer becomes more health-conscious, the world of QSR finds a happy home among divergent Millennials and members of Gen Z who seek a mix of novelty and convenience from their food. Hybridized flavors and formats show a sense of adventure and imagination that bodes well with this new, Internet culture-obsessed demographic. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 24, 2015 to May 14, 2017 - Published: Apr 26, 2017 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Blurred QSR trend ### Hybridized Flavors and Formats As the mainstream consumer becomes more health-conscious, QSRs that offer hybridized flavors, formats, and mixed appetizer-entrees show a sense of adventure and imagination that attracts the new, Internet culture-obsessed demographic. ### Bite-Sized, Shareable Foods The growing demand for bite-sized snacks requires QSRs to expand their menus with finger foods that are shareable amongst friends, family, colleagues, and the community at large. ### Novelty, Fun-Focused Food With an Internet culture-obsessed demographic, QSRs that cater to a sense of novelty and fun with menu items such as festive pizzas, chicken chips, nacho-inspired fries, and breadstick pizza crust have a strong appeal. ## What the Blurred QSR trend means for industry ### For QSRs QSRs that specialize in appetizers and entrees have a great opportunity to hybridize flavors, options, and formats, introducing unconventional dishes that align with the new, healthy-focused, Internet culture-obsessed demographic. ### For Food Retail Food retail stores selling finger food items are in a prime position to offer clients small-bite options that are shareable and incorporate unconventional ingredients/flavors such as cheeses, meats, fruits, vegetables, and even chocolate. ### For Food Delivery Services Food delivery services that augment their menus with unconventional food items such as hybridized appetizer-entrees, shareable snacks, and fun-focused foods associated with lifestyles of innovation and adventure will draw a space in people's hearts as well as stomachs. ## Workshop question If you could create a new product category within your industry, what would it be and how would you do it? ## Trend signals for Blurred QSR Trend score 1.9 out of 10, from popularity 16%, activity 33%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 16% - Activity: 33% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Blurred QSR trend 5 featured examples from Sep 24, 2015 to May 14, 2017. - [Chicken-Based Chips](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crispy-chicken-chips): Taco Bell's New Crispy Chicken Chips Put a Creative Twist on Chicken Tenders (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can experiment with unconventional food shapes and bite-sized snacks to attract customers. - [Breadstick Pizza Crusts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/specially-designed-for-sharing): This Unconventional Pizza is Specially Designed for Sharing (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Fast food chains can explore the concept of interactive and shareable dishes, like Pizza Hut's Twisted Crust pizza, to enhance customer engagement and differentiate their offering… - [Cheeseburger Egg Rolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/egg-roll-recipe): This In-N-Out Egg Roll Recipe Contains Burger Ingredients for Asian Fusion (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Incorporating different cultural cuisines into their menus can attract new customers and revitalize their brand. - [Nacho-Inspired Fast Food Fries](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/taco-bell-nacho-fries): The Taco Bell Nacho Fries Come with Warm Cheese Dipping Sauce (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The fast food industry can adopt and refine the concept of nacho-inspired fries to attract customers looking for new and exciting menu options. - [Shareable Festive Pizzas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cheesy-bites): This Pizza Hut Singapore Creation Features a Treat for One Lucky Person (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for pizza chains and food manufacturers to create innovative and shareable food options for special occasions. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)