Snacking trends open new menu opportunities
SUMMARY: Snacking is booming, driven by Gen Z and changing eating habits, creating big opportunities for operators to offer globally inspired flavors, craveable textures and shareable options.
Meeting all-day demand with more snack variety
The demand for snack options continues to gain traction in the industry. Consumers have increasingly shifted away from traditional meals and opted instead to nosh throughout the day, or to combine multiple snacks, tapas-style, to create their own meals. Gen Z is powering this trend forward, with 26% saying they eat out more frequently throughout the day.1
Overall, 75% of Americans snack at least once daily.2 Even more revealing, 48.8% say they snack three or more times a day.3 Operators are responding with more snacking options, such as an expanded assortment of French fry options and loaded dishes, pretzel bites, sliders and other portable finger foods that can easily be eaten on the go.
Smaller shareable items and “anytime” offerings are trending, as consumers increasingly eat at nontraditional times.
Opportunities for experimentation
Snacks and appetizers, especially as limited-time offers, also provide opportunities for operators to test new flavors, ingredients and menu items, and gauge the response of their guests. Customers are more likely to experiment with snack-sized portions, and texture is a big part of the appeal. Consumers are 4.2x more likely to turn to snacks for crunch than other food and beverage options, and demand for textured snacks is up 44% year-over-year.4 That makes craveable, crunchy appetizers a perfect way to drive trial and boost sales.
In line with that observation, street foods from around the world have gained prominence on menus as snacks. Items like Latin American empanadas and Indian samosas are trending — and consumers are hungry for more. In fact, 75% of consumers express a strong interest in globally inspired, fusion-flavored snacks and meals,5 and 72% say they’re more interested in trying global flavors now than they were two years ago.6 Global flavors rank among the top five culinary trends, with Middle Eastern, Southeast Asian and Latin American cuisines leading the charge.7 Plus, 63% of consumers actively seek out restaurants that offer globally inspired dishes.8
Operators can also get creative with “loaded” nacho, French fry and potato tot combos as snacks, perfect for showcasing bold seasonings and global twists.
Afternoon snacking expands
The demand for afternoon snacks and snacks that can be shared among multiple family members has increased, encouraging operators to launch new items specifically to fill this afternoon’s daypart.
Affordable snacks and light meals are a big opportunity. Our Cheesy Triple Play loaded with Anchor® Cheesy Dippers, creamy Jalapeño Poppers and Mac & Cheese Bites is a great example. Snack flights like this Flavor Flight using Anchor® Breaded Wisconsin Cheese Curds, Spicy Battered Pickle Fries and Battered Cauliflower are another way to offer variety.
For operators, it’s all about getting creative and resourceful to meet rising demand. After all, craveable snack options don’t just satisfy guests, they help drive traffic, boost check averages and keep menus fresh.
SOURCES
1Nation’s Restaurant News; Snacks Boom as Opportunity for Incremental Sales & Guest Frequency
2Technomic; 2025 Snacking Consumer Trend Report
3Circana; Snacking Research Reveals How Health, Flavor and Innovation Are Redefining America’s Cravings.
4Tastewise; 2026 Trend Forecast.
5Flavour Trends; 2025 Review of February Flavor Trends.
6Datassential; 2025 Flavor Trends Report.
7National Restaurant Association; 2024 Culinary Forecast.
8Technomic; 2024 Global Dining Insights.
