2026
9
US Gen Z Food Consumer: 2026
2026-08-25T14:03:35+00:00
REP19B4ADFF_6EF2_479B_B4AD_FF6EF2179B20
3695
195718
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Report
en_GB
Gen Z's influence on food and drink is substantial. They wield their growing purchasing power and a strong sense of financial freedom to influence current trends, especially on online channels.
US
Food
simple

US Gen Z Food Consumer: 2026

Gen Z's influence on food and drink is substantial. They wield their growing purchasing power and a strong sense of financial freedom to influence current trends, especially on online channels.

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  1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

    • What you need to know
    • Outlook for Gen Z food consumers
    • Opportunities
    • Curate information to drive Gen Z decisions
    • Graph 1: behaviors in food and drink, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Leverage the “personal” aspect of technology
    • Let Gen Z express their identity with themselves and others
  2. OVERVIEW OF GEN Z

    • Gen Z and the trends that shaped them
  3. THE MARKET

    • Market factors
    • Market context
    • Confidence continues to stay low
    • Graph 2: consumer sentiment index, 2021-26
    • Lower Gen Z wages don’t impact self-assuredness
    • Graph 3: reported income, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Graph 4: self-reported financial situation, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • When times get tough, Gen Z trade down
    • Graph 5: expected purchase changes for at-home food, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Graph 6: expected purchase changes for dining out/restaurants, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Socialization continues to be a focus for these digital natives
    • Graph 7: biggest priorities in life, top 3, Gen Z, 2026
    • Restaurants are becoming popular Gen Z destinations
    • Graph 8: past three month restaurant visitation, dining in or takeout, Gen Z, June 2025-July 2026
  4. THE CONSUMER

    • A good Gen Z food/drink experience checks a variety of boxes
    • What Gen Z food and drink consumers are looking for
    • Gen Z’s shifting meaning of convenience
    • Graph 9: at-home cooking vs. restaurant visitation attitudes, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Transparency, flexibility and variety inspire confidence
    • Graph 10: most important factors when choosing a restaurant, % in top 3, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Thoughtful expression shapes behavior
    • Graph 11: thoughtfulness about the impacts of food choices, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Addressing the say-do gap
    • Graph 12: most important factors when buying food or drink products, Gen Z, 2026
    • Freshness first, while keeping the environment in mind
    • Salmon, thoughtfully sourced
    • On the hunt for an upgrade
    • Graph 13: interest in functional benefits in classic food and drink options, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Protein leads, but Gen Z’s interest extends beyond it
    • Graph 14: benefits of interest in food in drink products, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Benefit-first products
    • Products leading with Gen Z-targeted protein
    • Unlocking convenience through technology
    • For digital natives, the internet fuels food and drink purchasing habits
    • Graph 15: past three month purchase locations of food/drink, total and Gen Z
    • Heeding the haul, for fun
    • Graph 16: top three reasons for shopping online, total and Gen Z
    • Gen Z informs how AI will integrate into food and drink
    • Graph 17: agreement with the statement “I find AI helpful for cooking/recipes”, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Brands and apps begin to leverage AI
    • The screen helps set the scene
    • Graph 18: ways orders were placed at most recent restaurant order, total and Gen Z, 2026
    • Leverage food experiences as an escape
  5. PRODUCT, INNOVATION AND MARKETING

    • Introducing access at the source of discovery
    • Gen Z appealing to Gen Z
    • McDonald’s turns memes into reality
    • On-the-go? Yes please
    • As seen in culture
  6. APPENDIX

    • Intentionality shapes Gen Z habits
    • Ideas of intentionality are fragmented across Gen Z
    • Graph 19: segments of the Gen Z food/drink consumer, 2026
    • Ideas of intentionality are fragmented across Gen Z
    • Graph 20: Gen Z food and drink segments, 2026
    • Thoughtful Tastemakers: “I care about my food/drink choices. Show me why I should choose you”
    • Graph 21: defining attitudes of Thoughtful Tastemakers, 2026
    • Practical Purchasers: “I don’t worry about how food/drink fits into my life, they just do”
    • Graph 22: defining attitudes of Practical Purchasers, 2026
    • Culture Chasers: “This is what someone like me would do”
    • Graph 23: defining attitudes of Culture Chasers, 2026
    • How to win across each segment of Gen Z
    • The consumer
    • Consumer research questions
    • Consumer research methodology – US
    • US generation groups
    • Restaurant Visitation Tracker, Gen Z (1/2)
    • Restaurant Visitation Tracker, Gen Z (2/2)
    • Abbreviations
Download Report Summary

"As they seek to optimize their lives, express their identities and leverage advanced technology, Gen Z are redefining expectations for food and drink brands."

Jack Doggett, Food & Drink Analyst

Jack Doggett, Food & Drink Analyst

Gen Z’s influence on food and drink is substantial. They wield their growing purchasing power and a strong sense of financial freedom to influence current trends, especially on online channels. As digital natives, they have a deep understanding of the options that online tools can give them, resulting in intentional food and drink choices to address their specific needs.

Due to this, convenience has taken on a new meaning to Gen Z. Time and effort are highly valued; their restaurant visitation has increased partly due to their belief that a time and effort-saving experience is one worth spending money on. Functional benefits also spell value to this generation looking to optimize their lives, as evidenced by their high rates of adoption across a variety of categories. Additionally, Gen Z gravitate towards food and drink products that help them express who they are, both through casual interests and deep moral beliefs, though both need to be authentic.

As their purchasing power grows, Gen Z will reward brands that make everyday food and drink choices easier, more purposeful and more reflective of their identities.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

  • Restaurant and store visitation
  • Changes in food and drink habits
  • Shifting definitions of convenience
  • Impacts of AI on grocery, foodservice and cooking decisions
  • Approaches to functional benefits
  • Innovations and marketing tailored towards Gen Z

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