Potatoes are a globally-inspired ingredient that are central to some of the hottest ethnic cuisines, from Indian to Latin to Asian and African. A blank canvas for creativity, potatoes beautifully absorb flavorful sauces and curries.

For McDonald’s, their primary business objective was to bring back customers that they lost over the past few years  when they moved away from value via their Value Menu.  Other QSR chains, like Taco Bell and Jack in the Box, introduced a value offering of their own to compete directly with that of McDonald’s with the objective of retaining their customer base.

This year’s 36 FABI Award recipients were selected by an independent panel of experts and represent a variety of both commercial and non-commercial industry segments.

2017 Canadian Flavor Consumer Trend Report: It’s all about spicy menu offerings

While many shifts in the restaurant industry are slow to take hold, the use and availability of data is one trend that's quickly emerging.

The NPD Group forecasts flat to sluggish foodservice traffic growth for 2018, but the trajectory could change, according to NPD Restaurant Industry Analyst, Bonnie Riggs. Focusing on what consumers want will help foodservice marketers better align their strategies to maximize relevance in 2018 and beyond, says Riggs.

There is opportunity to grow brunch occasions, as 40% of consumers eat brunch at least once a week.

According to the survey, menu trends that will be heating up in 2018 include doughnuts with non-traditional filling, ethnic-inspired kids’ dishes, farm/estate-branded items, and heritage-breed meats.

I’ve got to say it: foodservice is fun, flavorful and fantastic. C’mon, where else can you touch a mystical creature or walk into a restaurant and ask for something naked? Of course, I’m referring to a few of the year’s most interesting limited-time offers: Starbucks’ Rainbow Unicorn (Frappuccino blended crème) and Taco Bell’s Naked Chicken Chalupa.