# Functional Coffee Beverages Ziggi’s Added Protein-Focused Drinks to Its Permanent Menu By Mursal Rahman | Written with AI assistance | Published 2026-05-12 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Functional-coffee-beverages References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/ziggis-coffee-announces-new-protein-menu/)  Functional coffee beverages are becoming increasingly popular as consumers look for drinks that provide both energy and nutritional benefits during busy morning routines. [Ziggi’s Coffee](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/energy-infusions) recently introduced a permanent Protein Menu featuring high-protein versions of familiar café drinks, including iced mochas, blended beverages and espresso-based options. The menu offers drinks containing between 12 and 33 grams of protein while also allowing customers to add a Protein Boost to milk-based beverages. Rather than positioning the drinks as fitness-focused products, the company designed the lineup around convenience, satiety and seamless integration into existing coffee habits. The launch reflects growing demand for [meal-replacement beverages](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wandering-bear-cold-brew-lattes) and wellness-focused café experiences that support on-the-go lifestyles. Functional coffee beverages may help coffee chains compete more directly with breakfast and health-food brands by offering consumers more filling drink options. Protein-enhanced menus could also encourage higher customization spending while reinforcing long-term demand for nutrition-forward convenience products in the café industry. Image Credit: Ziggi’s Coffee ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 8.1/10 - Popularity: 83% | Activity: 89% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Protein-enhanced Cafes:** High-protein coffee offerings reconfigure beverages into filling, nutrition-forward meal substitutes that compete with traditional breakfast items. - **Meal-replacement Beverages:** On-the-go consumers are favoring drinkable meals that combine energy and satiety, reshaping morning routines around convenient nutrition. - **Nutrition-forward Customization:** Personalized add-ins like protein boosts create new premiumization paths by linking customization to measurable wellness benefits. ### Who This Affects Most - **Cafe and Coffee Chains:** National and regional coffee brands have an opportunity to capture breakfast spend by embedding high-protein drink lines into core menus and loyalty programs. - **Quick-service Breakfast Operators:** Fast-casual and grab-and-go breakfast concepts may be disrupted as consumers substitute solid offerings with nutritionally dense beverages that match meal needs. - **Functional Ingredient Suppliers:** Manufacturers of protein isolates and nutrient blends can drive innovation by formulating stable, palatable ingredients tailored for hot and cold espresso-based applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Vibrantly Flavored Protein Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fruity-protein-energy-drink.md) - [Hot Honey Cafe Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ziggis-coffee-and-mikes-hot-honey.md) - [Winter-Ready Seasonal Beverage Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-bean-tea-leaf1.md) - [Cafe Brand Protein Smoothies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peets-vitality-menu-protein-smoothies.md) - [Protein-Packed Coffeehouse Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/beans-brews-protein-coffee.md) - [Freshly Shaken Espresso Drinks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaken-espresso-beverages.md) - [Consumer-Driven Juice Bar Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clean-juice-menu.md) - [Extensive Seasonal Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ziggis-holiday-menu.md) - [Sweet Cherry Matcha Lattes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cherry-almond-oat-milk-matcha-latte.md)