Fast Food (QSR) Trends: 26/27 Report 2 – Menus & Merch
Fast food operators are embracing bold flavour innovation, wellness upgrades and lifestyle crossovers to stay culturally sharp and commercially agile. From playful family formats and protein-packed menus to cleaner ingredients and fashion-fuelled collaborations, everyday meals combine joy and self-expression with compelling convenience for a new generation of diners.
Fast, Fun & Family-Focused
Translating Taste Trends to Table
A Better Serve
The Merch Menu
Fast food and delivery brands are reimagining family dining via playful, personalised and practical strategies. From customisable kids’ meals and adult-friendly children’s fare to themed breakfast bundles and midweek value offers, food operators are prioritising both ease and engagement.
Fast food and delivery brands are reimagining family dining via playful, personalised and practical strategies. From customisable kids’ meals and adult-friendly children’s fare to themed breakfast bundles and midweek value offers, food operators are prioritising both ease and engagement.
Summary
Fast, Fun & Family-Focused | Fast food and delivery brands are reimagining family dining via playful, personalised and practical strategies. From customisable kids’ meals and adult-friendly children’s fare to themed breakfast bundles and midweek value offers, food operators are prioritising both ease and engagement. |
Translating Taste Trends to Table | While heat and indulgence remain dominant themes across global menus, bold and piquant flavours energise health-forward dishes, celebrate cultural fusion and appeal to experimental palates. For more on current flavour trends, see Future Flavours Forecast: 25/26 – Sensory Cues and Future Flavours Forecast: 25/26 – Wellness Flavourways. |
A Better Serve | Fast food brands are leaning into cleaner ingredients, regenerative sourcing and nutrient-rich options. By integrating seasonal produce, ethical partnerships and protein-forward options into their menus, they’re echoing a broader cultural appetite for transparency, sustainability, and food that both feels good and does good. |
The Merch Menu | Fast food brands are pursuing cross-industry collaborations to create buzzworthy, limited-edition products and experiences that blend food, fashion and pop culture. By partnering with creatives and cross-sector brands, they’re turning everyday purchases into collectible moments. For more on this popular brand strategy, see Commercialising New Food & Drink Occasions. |
Fast Food (QSR) Trends: 26/27 Report 2 – Menus & Merch
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Offering access to over 350 consumer and cross-industry reports annually, Stylus Membership is your window to tomorrow’s most exciting opportunities.
We already arm more than 500 of the world’s most forward-thinking brands and agencies with the creative insights they need to make transformative business decisions.
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