Food prices go up and down. TikTok fads come and go. New technology emerges day by day. Overwhelmed with all this change, restaurants can forget that consumers consistently want one thing from their dining experiences above all else: to feel happy.
This happiness can take on many forms. Sharing a new dish with a friend. Taking a snack break to escape the pressures of work. Enjoying a guilt-free smoothie that’s good for your body and the environment. Taking comfort from your favorite food. In 2026, restaurants can cut through the noise by understanding what makes their clientele happy and which trends will keep them happy.
Experience-First Mindset
The line between gourmet and grocery is hazier than ever. The frozen and instant aisles are bringing hot wing pizzas, chimichurri, miso udon, and other options that bridge the gap between convenience and culinary.
That puts the pressure on restaurants to get consumers out of their homes by providing all-encompassing experiences. Competing with retail is going to take innovation on and off the menu:
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Please ALL the Senses: From ASMR videos to selfies with unicorn drinks, social media has driven cravings for multi-sensory eating and drinking. The heat of flambeeing, the sizzle of Korean barbeque, the fog of dry ice around a cocktail, and the color of ube desserts add extra layers to culinary experiences.
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Plates Worth Sharing: Whether it’s flights, tapas, or fishbowl drinks, consumers want food and beverage too good to keep to themselves. Shareable dishes aren’t just great for large groups. They make any meal, or even snacktime, more fun.
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FOMO-Inducing Events: Go beyond LTOs with pop-ups and events that will excite diners to visit while the experience lasts. Team up with chefs and brands, invite entertainment, or commit to themed menu items and decorations to create full-scale experiences consumers can’t get from the grocery store.
Little Luxuries
In these penny-pinching times, the idea of spending $8 for a latte may seem baffling. But as exorbitant as this price looks, for many consumers, especially Gen Z, it’s still an affordable splurge—certainly more affordable than meals at fine dining restaurants.
“The way guests approach their disposable income is highly individualized,” explains Dot Foods Corporate Chef Tim Gump. “Some may look for the least expensive options for home cooking and let loose when they eat out. Some splurge on a monster shake but get a cheaper ‘vanilla’ entree. It’s all about finding ways to cut back in some areas and indulge a little in others.”
The key is making these little luxuries worth the price. Incorporating trendy flavors, surprising combinations, or fun elements makes consumers feel as though they are buying more than just a food or drink; they’re buying a taste of happiness. Think Dubai chocolate milk shakes, hot honey hotteok (Korean street pancake), or boba-filled desserts.
Protein Powered
This decade, consumers have shifted from calorie counting to targeting specific wellness goals. GLP-1 headlines have put protein at the forefront both in retail and foodservice.
Protein has undergone a transformation, both in public perception and how it’s consumed. It’s not just powders for workout enthusiasts. Protein supplements can be found in products with wider appeal, like cookies and chips, for anyone who wants more energy and muscle maintenance.
For restaurants, the big protein shift is in attitudes towards meat. Plant-based meat’s growth has stagnated on menus as more consumers desire more authentic fare. “We are seeing accounts combine multiple proteins on a variety of carriers,” shares Chef Tim. “Hand-helds, bowls, and plated twin protein dishes help boost the protein levels.”
Your Sourcing Solution
Whether it’s creating shared experiences, treating yourself, or nourishing your body, dining out is meant to make you feel good. With grocery stores upping their game on innovative, trend-forward products, restaurants need to go beyond comfort food and nostalgia to serve the happiness consumers crave.
As you plan your 2026 menus, be sure to keep Dot Foods in the loop. Our team can point you to products based on your specifications on our website and strategize your next menu item or LTO!
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