Prepared Foods The Year Ahead

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After a roller-coaster decade, restaurants are tapping into grit, ingenuity and new revenue ideas to keep guests engaged in 2026. This feature highlights nine trends—from whipped cheeses to modular design—reshaping how Americans dine.

Cultured animal products are moving beyond concept as companies refine production, secure approvals, and tackle cost barriers. Rising consumer interest in sustainable protein is accelerating the shift toward market-ready cultivated meat and seafood.

Foodservice is entering a tactical new era shaped by digital disruption, tighter budgets and a health-minded consumer base. This feature breaks down the five trends suppliers need to navigate to cut through the noise and win in 2026.

San Francisco has filed a lawsuit against leading food manufacturers, alleging deceptive practices and public health harms tied to ultra-processed foods. The action signals increased attention to processing methods and ingredient strategies that may influence future expectations for product developers.

Innova Market Insights has identified the five forces redefining food and beverage choices in 2026. From relaxed sociability to simplified living, these trends reveal where consumers are heading—and where brands should follow.

Consumers are entering 2026 feeling overwhelmed, skeptical and hungry for what’s real. This feature breaks down five ways brands can cut through the chaos and build authentic connection.

From guilt-free indulgence to AI-driven personalization, the beverage market is entering a new era of creativity and functionality. Emerging trends signal a future where drinks deliver not just flavor but wellness, connection and tailored experiences.

From protein’s continued rise to the rebirth of vices, phone-free dining and the search for more human experiences, Mattson unpacks the forces reshaping how consumers eat, shop and connect. Prepared Foods gets an exclusive look at the five trends expected to influence product development in 2026.

Circana’s latest outlook points to modest dollar sales growth, tighter volumes and evolving value expectations as consumers lean into convenience and functionality. These insights anchor Prepared Foods’ new Predictions issue, which gathers expert perspectives on what’s new and next for food, beverage and retail trends in 2026.