Ride the snacking trend to bigger profits
SUMMARY: Turn today’s snacking surge into higher traffic and stronger off‑premise performance with familiar‑but‑fresh twists, a better to‑go plan and standout promotions.
Tap into the snack boom.
Snacking is on the rise. Nearly half of Americans (48.8%) snack three or more times a day, and younger guests are leading the charge.1 Plus, breaded & battered appetizers in full-service restaurants are up 4% as guests shift to snacking during or even instead of meals.2 Here are a few quick tips to help you make the most of this snacking trend.
Make your snacks familiar and craveable
Consumers want familiar favorites. It’s why reinvented classics with quality ingredients, expert craftsmanship and a fresh twist are doing so well. In fact, 1 in 4 consumers is willing to try a new food item if it’s a unique twist on something they already enjoy.3 And 41% of consumers say they’d like more restaurants to offer foods that combine flavors in new ways.4 That gives operators a prime opportunity to infuse menus with creative excitement that drives traffic and sales.
Get good at to-go
To capitalize on the snacking trend, your menu has to travel well. Nearly 75% of all restaurant traffic now happens off-premise, meaning almost 3 out of 4 orders are taken to go.5 Offering products that taste as great at home as they do in your restaurant is the key to success. McCain snacks, like SureCrisp® Fries, Cheese Curds and Stuffed Jalapeños, are a perfect example. They’ll keep customers happy and coming back for more.
Power up your promotions
Reel in off-premise customers with engaging and enticing social posts. Create a drive-thru promotion. Offer discounts. Then use on-premise promotional materials to bring people in and move product. Window clings, yard signs and counter signage grab attention, create interest and help your employees upsell. For example, we noticed consumers are eating more often between the hours of 2 — 4 p.m.
More McCain means more success
Today, McCain offers a variety of products that travel well and are the perfect snack to satisfy everyone’s cravings, giving your customers and your business what they both want. Try some of these McCain products and see how they can help your operation:
McCain® Surecrisp® Seaside Fries
Redstone CanyonTM Waffle Fries
Anchor® Wisconsin Breaded Cheese Curds, Stuffed Jalapeños, Battered Mac & Cheese Wedges, Breaded Dill Pickle Spears and Garlic Breaded Mushrooms
Moore’s® Breaded Gourmet Onion Rings
Thanks to the growing popularity of snacking, operators have a clear opportunity to stand out and grow. Whether it’s giving familiar favorites a fresh spin or amplifying impact through smart promotions, restaurants can meet guests where and how they’re eating. The right snack lineup on a menu can turn everyday cravings into repeat visits and lasting success.
SOURCES
1Circana; New snacking research reveals how health, flavor and innovation are redefining America’s cravings.
2Circana CREST; June 2025 Servings Breaded & Battered Apps 12ME D.E.
3CEU; Appz Trends and Insights.
4Mintel; US 2023 Casual Dining Restaurants Market Report.
5National Restaurant Association; 2025 Off-Premise Restaurant Trends Report.
