# Frozen Treat Surveys The National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association Releases a Survey By Kalin Ned | Published 2026-07-24 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-and-refrigerated-foods References: [fb101](https://www.fb101.com/frozen-treats-cheaper-than-dessert-out-nfra-survey-302833498)  The [National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/racquet-360) has released survey findings indicating that 72% of American adults perceive frozen treats as a more affordable alternative to dining out for dessert. The data, which is drawn from a nationally representative poll of 2,000 U.S. adults, reveals that consumers are increasingly viewing [ice cream and frozen novelties](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/Nostalgic-dessert-mashups) as everyday conveniences rather than occasional indulgences. Common motivations include the desire for an effortless at-home dessert, response to sales or digital coupons, household member requests, and restocking established favorites. Beyond cost savings, the National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association's survey highlights a distinct preference for quality over quantity, with 70 percent of respondents indicating they would choose a smaller portion of a highly enjoyable product over a larger serving of a less satisfying alternative. Image Credit: The National Frozen and Refrigerated Foods Association ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 85% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [Market](https://www.trendhunter.com/market) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Affordable At-home Indulgence:** Rising dessert costs are positioning frozen treats as a budget-friendly replacement for restaurant experiences, creating space for premium-feeling products at accessible price points. - **Portion-optimized Premium Treats:** Consumer preference for smaller, higher-quality servings signals demand for curated frozen desserts that emphasize satisfaction, flavor intensity, and perceived value. - **Coupon-driven Freezer Stocking:** Digital promotions and household restocking habits are reshaping frozen treat purchases into routine, convenience-led decisions tied to loyalty and personalization. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Frozen Desserts:** Premium formulations, novelty formats, and portion-controlled packs can help brands capture everyday demand while maintaining an indulgent identity. - **Grocery Retail:** Retailers have an opportunity to use digital coupons, freezer merchandising, and bundled dessert promotions to increase repeat frozen treat purchases. - **Food Technology:** Innovation in texture preservation, low-cost premium ingredients, and personalized frozen product development can support more satisfying at-home dessert experiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [QSR-Inspired Meal Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rustlers-frozen-meal-kits.md) - [Frozen Coconut Candy Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/breyers-x-almond-joy.md) - [Family-Focused Frozen Lines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/frozen-dessert-offering.md) - [Elevated Nostalgic Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/elevated-nostalgic-desserts.md) - [Educational Ice Cream Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tillamook-the-real-scoop.md) - [Branded Frozen Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/branded-frozen-desserts.md) - [Nutrition-Minded Frozen Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bell-pro.md) - [National Whole-Food Protein Surveys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wholefood-protein.md) - [Free-From Frozen Dessert Products](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blue-bunny-frozen-treats.md)