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Consumer Trends

Consumer trends, insights and preferences

Consumer Trends

Can Chipotle get its higher-income diners to stick around?

 By Heather Lalley on Feb. 13, 2026

Retail watch: The fast-casual burrito chain can take some lessons from discount retailers that have also seen an influx of wealthier consumers.

Consumer Trends

How consumers really feel about protein and fiber

 By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 13, 2026

The two nutrients are getting a lot of play on social media. Restaurants should pay more attention, according to recent research.

Consumer Trends

Valentine's Day dining is no longer for couples only

By Patricia Cobe on Feb. 05, 2026

Recent data from OpenTable finds that friends, groups and even solo diners plan to visit a restaurant on the traditionally romantic holiday.

Consumer Trends

How Technomic's 2026 trend predictions are panning out

By Patricia Cobe and Bret Thorn on Feb. 03, 2026

Menu Talk: A month into the new year, Lizzy Freier, senior director of menu research & insights at Technomic, revisits the team’s top trends.

Consumer Trends

Why private-label’s grocery glow up should make restaurants nervous

By Heather Lalley on Jan. 22, 2026

Retail Watch: Store brands continue to set records. Their rise should give restaurants some clues about what diners want right now.

Consumer Trends

Chain restaurants accelerate limited-time offers to lure consumers

By Patricia Cobe on Jan. 05, 2026

LTO launches are up 19% year over year, with nearly 4,000 rolling out in November alone, finds Technomic.

Consumer Trends

Grubhub: 2025 was the year convenience stores became meal destinations

By Hannah Hammond on Dec. 16, 2025

A survey by the delivery platform found a major consumer shift toward orders of hot, protein-forward, grab-and-go c-store foods like taquitos, chicken rollers and hot dogs.

Consumer Trends

Taco Bell parent Yum Brands gazes into its crystal ball with first-ever food trends report

By Patricia Cobe on Dec. 10, 2025

The parent of Taco Bell, KFC and Pizza Hut joins dozens of forecasters to predict what consumers will be eating and drinking in 2026.

Consumer Trends

Sustainability still matters to restaurant customers, but not as much as before

By Patricia Cobe on Dec. 03, 2025

Consumers everywhere are most interested in getting their money’s worth when dining out, but sustainable messaging can help sell value.

Consumer Trends

Consumers are still dining out, with some caveats

By Joe Guszkowski on Nov. 19, 2025

New reports from Toast, OpenTable and Resy show how diner demands are shifting. Late dinner is out, bar seating is in, and the bathroom better be Instagrammable.

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