The article highlights several key flavour trends that are driving traffic among Gen Z consumers:
Globally-Inspired Flavors: Gen Z is drawn to diverse and exotic flavors from around the world, often reflecting their own cultural backgrounds or sparking curiosity for new culinary experiences. This is evident in the growing popularity of African, Costa Rican, Australian, and even fusion cuisines like Japanese-Peruvian.
New Flavors in Familiar Formats: While Gen Z enjoys experimenting with unique flavors, they also appreciate familiar formats. This means introducing new, global flavors through recognizable applications like salsa macha on tacos, tajin rims on margaritas, or piri piri sauce on chicken sandwiches.
The Rise of Spice: Gen Z is leading the charge in embracing spicy flavors. Ingredients like ghost pepper, Carolina reaper, chili oil, and gochujang are projected to experience significant growth in the coming years. Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) are a great way to introduce these experimental flavors in popular formats like wings, nuggets, or fries.
Social Media Influence: Social media platforms, particularly TikTok, play a crucial role in shaping Gen Z's food preferences. The platform serves as a source of inspiration and a place to share experiences, with food-related content garnering immense popularity. Operators who can quickly capitalize on viral trends have an advantage in capturing Gen Z's attention and loyalty.
Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding Gen Z's unique flavor preferences and leveraging trends to drive traffic and sales. By offering diverse and innovative flavors in familiar formats, embracing spice, and staying attuned to social media trends, operators and suppliers can effectively cater to this influential demographic.
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