2026 Restaurant Marketing & Food Trends You Can’t Afford to Miss

2026 is shaping up to be a transformative year for restaurants. Food is no longer just fuel—it’s a powerful expression of identity, health, and values. According to Tastewise’s 2026 Food & Beverage Trend Forecast, four macro forces of food such as identity reconnection, new body OS, lifestyle power plays, and sensory maximalism  are redefining what consumers expect from dining. 

Source: tastewise

For multi-location restaurants in the U.S. and Canada, these shifts present both risk and opportunity. In this post, we’ll explore 13 trends you can use in your marketing, local store strategy, SEO, social media, franchise growth, and digital experience—complete with actionable restaurant marketing strategies to help your multi-location brand lead the pack.

”The 2026 food and beverage trends show that restaurants can’t just serve meals—they need to serve meaning.”
Source: SYNERGY

Ready to put these trends into play? Book your free consultation today, and let's craft a winner’s roadmap for your brand.

1. Food as Identity Reconnection: Where Does Your Food Come From?

Consumers increasingly want food that reflects who they are culturally, regionally, and ethically. Transparency, provenance, and authenticity matter more than ever.

Data Points:

• Consumer conversations about “authenticity” grew by 31% YoY.
• 61% of consumers are shifting towards products that feel “real” and transparent.

How to act:

• Local story marketing: Feature your partnerships with regional farms or suppliers on your menu pages, blog, and social posts (e.g. “sourced from farms in [State/Province]).
• SEO & Geo-targeting: Use keywords like “authentic local [dish name] in [city]” or “[city] farm-to-table restaurant” to reach customers searching for local authenticity.
• Content & social storytelling: Share behind-the-scenes stories of your ingredient sourcing, chef visits to farms, or supplier spotlights (video, reels, posts).

2. Protein & “Real Meat” Demand: The Anti-Fake Steaks Movement

Despite the rise of plant-based alternatives, consumer interest in real, high-quality proteins is surging. According to trends analysis, demand for genuine meat grew triple the rate of alternative proteins.

Data Points:

• The interest in meat-based protein grew 3x faster than plant-based alternatives .
• 85% of consumers want to eat more protein, but only 24% feel they're consuming enough .

How to act:

• On social media, spotlight your premium steaks, chops, or heritage cuts—discuss care, quality, and sustainability.
• Publish content aligned with restaurant marketing trends, such as protein-focused nutrition, sourcing ethics, and sustainable cooking method (e.g. “Why real steak still matters in 2026”).
• Optimize web pages with keywords like “premium steakhouse,” “sustainable beef,” or “locally raised meat.”

3. Agave Wine & Beverage Trends: Elevating Your Drink Program

Agave wine is emerging as a refined alternative to tequila/mezcal, with growing consumer interest.

Data Points:

• Consumer interest in agave wine grew by 42% YoY .
• Growth in restaurants carrying agave wine: +20% YoY .

How to act:

• Promote agave wine–based cocktails on your website and social media with storytelling about their origin and flavor.
• Create landing page content and blog posts aligned with current restaurant marketing strategies, featuring agave wine pairings, regional sourcing stories, and customer engagement tips.
• Add “agave wine cocktails,” “agave wine restaurant bar” keywords to your drink menus online.

4. High-Quality Cocktails: The New Premium

As consumers demand more from their dining experiences, the cocktail scene has gone upscale. Premium, thoughtfully crafted cocktails are no longer just an indulgence—they’re an experience. People are willing to pay more for a drink that not only tastes great but also looks fantastic.

Data Points:

• Growth in average cocktail prices: +12% YoY .
• 55% growth in cocktails on menus nationwide .

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Strategy: Showcase your high-quality cocktails with visually stunning photos and videos. Engage your audience with recipes and behind-the-scenes cocktail making.
• SEO & Advertising: Target specific cocktail-related keywords to boost your online visibility for those searching for the best, most luxurious cocktails in town.
• Content Development: Craft blog posts about the art of mixology and the importance of high-quality, crafted cocktails for a complete dining experience.

5. Local Food: Supporting Local Producers

Local food is no longer just a trend—it’s a movement. Consumers are showing an increasing interest in restaurants that support local agriculture and food production. This trend speaks to consumers’ desire to feel connected to their community and the food they eat.

Data Points:

• Interest in locally sourced food grew 30% YoY .
• 15% growth in menu items featuring local ingredients .

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Program: Showcase your dedication to sourcing local ingredients by posting about partnerships with local farmers and producers.
• Content Development: Share the story of your restaurant’s relationship with local food suppliers. Explain how supporting local drives quality and sustainability.
• SEO & Advertising: Optimize your site and ads for local ingredients-related keywords like “locally sourced dishes” or “[city] farm-to-table dining.”

6. Metabolic Wellness: Natural Foods for Real Health

Functional foods that support metabolic wellness, such as high-protein dips or hydrating beverages, are in high demand. Consumers are turning to foods that improve their digestion, blood sugar balance, and overall well-being.

Data Points:

• Demand for metabolic support foods grew 33% YoY .
• Hydrating beverages with functional benefits grew by 25% YoY .

How We Can Help:

• Content Development: Create recipes and blog posts about how your menu supports metabolic wellness. Feature healthy, functional options for customers who want food that works for their body.
• SEO & Advertising: Optimize for health-related terms like “metabolic foods” and “functional beverages” to capture interest from health-conscious diners.
  
  

7. Fertility & Reproductive Support: The Next Functional Frontier

Functional foods aren’t just about metabolic health; they’re expanding into fertility and reproductive health. Consumers are looking for foods supporting hormone balance, pregnancy, and fertility, moving away from supplements and natural food-based solutions.

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Program: Promote hormone-balancing foods and fertility-focused dishes, appealing to health-conscious consumers.
• Content Development: Develop articles or social media posts about fertility-supporting foods and why they’re important for modern health.
• SEO & Advertising: Use SEO to target consumers searching for “hormone balancing foods” and “fertility diet options.”

8. Energy Drinks: The Clean, Functional Shift

Energy drinks are evolving. Gone are the days of sugar-laden, artificial energy shots. Today’s consumers want clean, functional drinks that support energy, mood, and focus without the crash.

Data Points:

• Consumer demand for clean, functional energy drinks grew 245% YoY .
• Interest in sugar-free, blood sugar-supporting drinks increased by 35% YoY .

How We Can Help:

• Content Development: Highlight your clean-energy offerings, explaining their benefits and how they align with the shift toward functional drinks.
• SEO & Advertising: Optimize your drink menus for keywords like “sugar-free energy drinks” and “functional beverages” to attract the growing health-focused market.

9. Gen Z is Killing the Set Menu: Personalization Takes Over

The rise of personalized dining continues, with Gen Z driving a shift in multi-location restaurant marketing that prioritizes customization and digital flexibility.Diners are increasingly rejecting set menus in favour of customizable, flexible options that fit their tastes and preferences.

Data Points:

• Interest in customizable meals grew by 144% YoY.
• Solo dining is up 32% YoY among Gen Z.

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Strategy: Highlight your build-your-own options and customizable menu formats across platforms.
• Website Development: Integrate an interactive menu that allows customers to personalize their orders online.
• Content Development: Create content around why customization is the future of dining, especially for Gen Z diners.

10. Asian Flavours for Breakfast: Ramen and Pho for the Win

Asian cuisine is no longer confined to lunch and dinner. Breakfast ramen and pho are becoming the new staples in American morning routines, with bold flavours and textures making their mark.

Data Points:

• Interest in breakfast ramen grew 43% YoY.
• Pho’s popularity at breakfast is up 28% YoY.

How We Can Help:

• Content Development: Develop blog posts and social media content that highlight your embracing Asian flavors at breakfast.
• SEO & Advertising: To capture this emerging trend, optimize for keywords like “breakfast ramen” and “pho breakfast bowls.”

11. Portion Flexibility for Boomers: Customization at Dinner

Boomers are looking for flexible portion sizes that suit their appetites. Whether it’s smaller plates or customizable meal sizes, this trend reflects a broader desire for control over dining.

Data Points:

• Growth in portion customization items on menus grew 27% YoY .

How We Can Help:

• Website Development: Offer portion control options that allow customers to customize their meal sizes online.
• Content Development: Write about how your restaurant adapts to this trend, offering flexibility for diners of all ages.

12. Food Textures: Snap, Crack, Squish, or Pop

Textural variety is the new frontier for food. Whether crispy, gooey, or crunchy, consumers seek foods that surprise and delight their senses.

Data Points:

• Interest in textural snacks grew 44% YoY.

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Program: Use ASMR videos or vibrant photos to highlight the textures in your dishes.
• Content Development: Create fun blog posts about your restaurant’s most texturally unique dishes and how they provide a whole sensory experience.

13. Functional Coffee: Cold Foam and Beyond

Coffee isn’t just a caffeine fix anymore—it’s an experience. With the rise of cold foam and other functional coffee options, consumers want a drink that offers flavour, texture, and health benefits.

Data Points:

• Interest in cold foam grew 57% YoY.

How We Can Help:

• Social Media Strategy: Feature your cold foam drinks with a focus on their health benefits and textures.
• Website Development: Create a landing page dedicated to your coffee’s unique offerings, especially if you offer functional ingredients like lavender cold foam or protein coffee.

Ready to Stay Ahead of the Curve?

The future of food and beverage is all about authenticity, personalization, and functionality.At Hook + Ladder, we’re here to help you embrace these restaurant marketing trends and build a future-ready, scalable multi-location restaurant marketing strategy. Whether through advertising, local store marketing, franchise development, social media, SEO, content creation, or website development, we have the tools to ensure your restaurant thrives in 2026.

Book a Free Consultation today, and let's create a customized strategy for your restaurant to excel in this exciting new food landscape!