How Scarcity Drives LTO Menu Success & Our Favorites from 2025

Both psychology and economics have a lot to say about something called the scarcity principle, or the idea that people change their behavior based on their desire for something and the availability of that thing. In other words, supply and demand, except that supply is short. The restaurant industry has leveraged scarcity through limited time…

Favored Food Trends From The FDR Team

It’s that time of year when all of us in the business of menu development are eager to see what the reports say about emerging food trends. At FDR, it’s no different. Here’s what our team has to say about what’s ahead.

What Restaurant Brands Need to Know About Cheese Trends

Most food trend predictions these days are influenced by consumer demand for minimally processed foods that are high in protein. Popularity on TikTok doesn’t hurt either. Given all that, it’s no wonder cheese is having a moment. Take cottage cheese, for instance. Google search traffic for the food rose slightly and steadily from 2004 until…

The Rise Of Snack-Based Meals And The Opportunity For Restaurants And Food Manufacturers

A shift has emerged in consumer eating habits: many are replacing traditional meals with snacks.

Sweet And Salty Flavor Combos For An Always-Trending Sandwich

While sweet and salty flavor combinations aren’t new on restaurant menus, restaurants are taking the distinct pairing to the next level. We’re not talking about candied bacon. We’re talking about menu items like strawberry balsamic pizza and black garlic caramel dipping sauce for pretzel bites. In the FDR innovation kitchen, we’ve been exploring how sweet…

2025 Restaurant Burger Trends

The burger market is crowded, but by embracing forward-thinking trends, your brand can simultaneously stand out and satisfy consumer tastes. In this article on 2025 burger trends, we won’t focus on plant-based options; recent data shows demand for plant-based burgers is waning. Instead, you’ll hear from members of FDR’s innovation team and manufacturing partners on…