2023 is coming to a close, which means it’s time to look ahead to the flavor trends of 2024! According to Datassential’s 2024 Trends Report, next year will be big on premium indulgence (consumers treating themselves with elevated flavors and ingredients), trend comebacks (classic dishes reimagined), and new European cuisine (global trends beyond Mexican and Asian). Plus, discover how fries provide an approachable base for trends of the new year, making innovation easy!
2024 Flavor (and fry!) trends
Say hello to the new year!
A look back at 2023…
Before we dive into 2024, let’s check back on some 2023 trends for lessons to apply to the year ahead. Datassential’s 2023 Midyear Trend Report (July 2023) highlighted consumers’ preference for fries over chips, plus revealed which foods and flavors had gained strongly in both consumer awareness and affinity. With fries standing out so strongly, it’s no surprise that some of those “hot & craveable” flavors of 2023 directly translated to sauced and loaded fry trends.
Datassential 2023 Midyear Trend Report, July 2023
Datassential 2023 Midyear Trend Report, July 2023
Growth on fry appetizers/sides over the past 4 years in Datassential MenuTrends, YE September 2023
Standout fries of 2023
Which limited-time offers (LTOs) rose to the top in 2023? In terms of both purchase interest (appeal) and uniqueness (as in, something consumers can’t find just anywhere), many of the top fry LTOs of 2023 feature premium or indulgent ingredients. And the highest-scoring LTO of the year simply combines two beloved sides, fries and onion rings, to create a concept consumers find both highly appealing and unique.
Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES)
top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)
above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)
Engage consumers with premium indulgence
Building on a theme seen in the top LTOs of 2023, premium indulgence is expected to continue as a trend in 2024. To make a dish premium or indulgent, focus on quality ingredients. After all, 68% of consumers believe that high-end ingredients are what make a dish premium or indulgent (Datassential’s 2024 Trends Report, November 2023). Consider a quality fry base to make premium indulgence approachable and craveable, taking inspiration from trending topped and loaded fry ingredients like brisket, truffle oil, or even fresh herbs. See below for trend inspiration and examples of how top chains create appealing fry dishes with trending brisket.
Datassential 2024 Trends Report, November 2023
Growth on fry appetizers/sides over the past 4 years in Datassential MenuTrends, YE September 2023
Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES)
top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)
above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)
Innovate with trend comebacks
With trend comebacks, everything old is new again in 2024! Older generations are embracing the foods and flavors from their youth, while Gen Z consumers are being introduced to classics for the first time. For example, Gen Z has been gaining awareness of foods like potato skins and patty melts – something nearly everyone among older generations already knows about (Datassential’s Shifting Preferences: Foods & Generations report, June 2023). Consider how combining fries with classic foods could intrigue both older generations (through nostalgia) and younger generations (through novelty). See below how a throwback appetizer becomes especially unique to Gen Z when topped with cheese fries.
Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES)
top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)
above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)
Discover new European trends
While Mexican and Asian trend influences typically take the spotlight, new twists on cuisines like Italian, French, Greek, British, and more are on the rise. Think Swiss-inspired burgers featuring melting raclette cheese and Pommes Frites or an English and Indian mashup like curry-spiced fish and chips. For European flavor innovation made simple, use on-hand fries as a base – for more inspiration, check out these recipes for Irish Pub Shepard’s Fries or Lamb Weston’s Loaded Greek Sweet Potato Fries.
Growth on menus over the past 4 years in Datassential MenuTrends, YE September 2023
Get ready for 2024!
2023 taught us how fries and flavor trends go hand-in-hand, making for easy innovation in 2024. In the year ahead, engage consumers by adding premium indulgence to dishes, putting a new spin on classic foods and flavors, or considering European trends. All of these trends in 2024 can be made more approachable and craveable for consumers by utilizing fries as a base of innovation, creating a win-win for the consumer and the restaurant operator in the new year!
