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What types of flavors draw today's customers?

See how popular spicy, fusion and savory flavors are among certain diners.

Patricia Cobe, Senior Editor

June 27, 2018

1 Min Read
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These insights from Technomic’s Flavor Consumer Trend Report can help foodservice concepts develop and menu flavors that meet consumer demand: 

  • 20% of millennials and 22% of Gen Xers actively seek out flavors to try on a regular basis, while baby boomers are less experimental—23% prefer to stick to their favorites.

  • 43% of younger consumers are looking for beverages with unique flavors—not just food.

  • 37% of consumers overall are more likely to visit a restaurant that offers new flavors.

  • 43% of 18- to 34-year-olds like dishes that feature a fusion of flavors from more than one type of cuisine.

  • 50% of all consumers prefer very spicy flavors. That figure skews to 59% for millennials and 58% for men.

  • 60% of consumers find savory flavors the most craveable, while 58% crave sweet and 54%, spicy flavors.

  • 54% of Gen Zers are more interested in trying ethnic flavors than they were a year ago. That number drops off as consumers age, with only 24% of baby boomers showing that interest.

Photo courtesy of Pixabay

About the Author

Patricia Cobe

Senior Editor

Pat plans and executes the menu sections of Restaurant Business and FoodService Director, covering food and beverage trends, Menu R&D, profiles of chefs and restaurateurs and Technomic research. She also contributes to the digital content of both RB and FSD and is editor of two weekly e-newsletters, Recipe Report and On the Menu. Pat’s weekly podcast, MenuFeed, covers a wide range of menu topics through interviews with chefs and operators.

Pat came to Winsight from Hearst, where she was an executive editor. She is the co-author of the Mompreneurs series of books as well as two cookbooks. She graduated from Cornell University and earned a Masters in Journalism from Boston University. She is active in several professional organizations, including Les Dames d’Escoffier and the International Foodservice Editorial Council (IFEC), and serves as a judge for the James Beard Media Awards.

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