Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Format Over
Flavor
Food and beverage sees a shift in focus towards aesthetics over taste.
5.3
Trend score
Trend
What is the Format Over Flavor trend?
Format Over Flavor: In the modern age of Instagram-driven behavior, the photo-worthiness of food is more important than ever before and, in some cases, is starting to take precedence over culinary legitimacy. In order to attract the niche but insatiable demographic of younger consumers on the hunt for their next shareable moment, QSR brands are starting to adopt multi-hued offerings that tend to prioritize aesthetic innovation over flavor enhancement.
Trend themes
Themes within the Format Over Flavor trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Aesthetic Innovation
Food and beverage brands prioritize aesthetically pleasing offerings to attract younger consumers on the hunt for their next shareable moment
02
Nostalgia Revamps
Popular and nostalgic dishes are being revamped using color to offer unexpected visual experiences to eaters
03
Magical Food
Glamorous and whimsical strides in the food industry as food brands add glitter, rainbows and unicorns to their menu items for a one-of-a-kind photo opportunity
Industry implications
What the Format Over Flavor trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food and Beverage
Food and beverage industry is prioritizing visual appeal over culinary legitimacy to attract a younger demographic
For
Event, Theme and Tourism
These trends have the potential to shape event, theme, and tourism industries based on the appetizing appeal of unconventional food dishes
For
Social Media and Marketing
The possible photo and social media appeal of these unconventional food trends have the potential to shape social media and marketing patterns and practices.
Workshop question
How might you appeal to a generation with an obsession towards shareable moments?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Format Over Flavor
Trend score 5.3 out of 10, from popularity 75%, activity 76%, freshness 8%.
Popularity75%
Activity76%
Freshness8%
Audience
10%Men
90%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Format Over Flavor trend
9 featured examples from Apr 18, 2016 to Jul 25, 2018CategoryLife-Stages
Glitter-Infused Pizza Creations
DagWoods Pioneers Glitter Pizzas with Its 'Magical AF' Food Item
Restaurants, cafes, and other food establishments can capitalize on the trend of creating unique, Instagram-worthy dishes like glitter pizza to drive business and attract customer…
CategoryLifestyle
Technicolor Grilled Sandwiches
This Rainbow Grilled Cheese is Colored Based on Each Food Flavor
The multicolored food trend offers opportunities for food and beverage companies to experiment with innovative flavors, textures, and visual presentations, catering to consumers'…
CategoryLifestyle
Millennial-Targeted Coffees
The New TrueStart Cold Brew Coffees are Vibrant and Energizing
Specialty coffee industry could further target younger consumers and expand by adding unique coffee blends, sustainable sourcing, and natural ingredients messaging.
CategoryLifestyle
Rainbow Burger Buns
Joe's Bar in New York Offered Very Colorful Brioche Buns for Burger Week
Hotels, restaurants, and cafes can take advantage of the rainbow food trend by incorporating colorful ingredients and unique coloring techniques in their dishes and beverages, pro…
CategoryLifestyle
Rainbow Candy-Topped Slushies
Disney's Rainbow Unicorn Memory Refresher is like a Rainbow in a Cup
Theme parks can incorporate unique and creative food and beverage options to enhance the overall park experience for visitors.
CategoryLifestyle
Push-Up Rainbow Hummus Pops
Flatbread Grill Created a Diversity-Celebrating Treat for Pride
Food ingredients industries have an opportunity to develop and market more natural food colorings that can be utilized in unconventional food products like color-coded hummuses.
CategoryLifestyle
Rainbow Sushi Recipes
This Colorful Japanese Dish Uses Natural Flavors to Dye the Rice
Food and culinary companies of all sizes can incorporate natural dyes into their dishes, disrupting the stale and traditional approach to presentation and flavor.
CategoryLifestyle
Tie-Dye Pancake Recipes
Diner By the Sea Offers Vibrant Technicolor Flapjacks for Diners to Enjoy
Restaurants can capitalize on the tie-dye pancake trend by incorporating vibrant colors into their menus to attract customers and stand out in a competitive market.
CategoryLifestyle
Chromatic Unicorn Hot Chocolates
This Hot Beverage from Crème and Sugar is Folklore-Inspired
Coffee and dessert shops can introduce innovative and visually appealing drinks to attract customers and differentiate themselves from competitors.
