Botanical Bloom

The global appeal and positive consumer sentiment towards botanicals has spring-themed florals inspiring recent menu innovation. Chick-fil-A and P.F. Chang’s celebrated springtime with the launch of new seasonal drinks including botanicals cherry blossom, elderflower, and coconut. On the more decadent side, Crumbl and Insomnia Cookies unveiled Passion Fruit and Hibiscus Cookies, respectively.

Trendsetters: Chick-fil-A, P.F. Chang’s, Crumbl Cookies, Insomnia Cookies, California Pizza Kitchen

Time to Indulge

Seasonal flavors are often tied to comfort, indulgence, and nostalgia with opportunity for restaurants to expand upon well-known flavors and categories. Cinnamon flavors are trending on chain menus with creations like Tim Horton’s Cinnamon Sugar Oat Milk Latte, Taco Bell’s returning Cinnabon Delights Coffee, and Krispy Kreme and Cinnamon Toast Crunch’s collaboration, Cinnamon Milk Glazed Collection, for donuts.

Trendsetters: Tim Hortons, Taco Bell, Krispy Kreme, Dunkin’, Red Robin

Plant-Based Goodness

Around 62% of U.S. households now buy plant-based products, up from 53% in 2019, as the next wave of plant-based lineups emerge in QSRs. Fast-casuals, Dog Haus and Tacotime, teamed up with Impossible Foods to release the Impossible Nug Life Sando, featuring plant-based nuggets on a plant-based brioche bun, and the Impossible Nacho Burrito. Pizza Hut and KFC partnered with Beyond Meat to debut the Pizza Hut Beyond Pepperoni Pizza and Beyond Fried Chicken nationwide.

Trendsetters: Dog Haus, TacoTime, Pizza Hut, KFC, Native Foods

Taste the Trend