May 16–19, 2026
McCormick Place
Chicago, IL
Peak Season Prep, Issue 2
Menu Inspiration to Attract Seasonal Crowds
Operators who evolve their menus to compliment seasonal moments like the World Cup and the 250th anniversary of the United States will be best positioned to attract tourists and local guests.
Consider developing limited time offers (LTOs) that celebrate your region and are aligned to special events. Think shareable, easy to execute, and built for speed. Get inspiration from Technomic’s 2026 global foodservice trend predictions citing the following themes showing up on menus this year:
- Flavor innovation is more adventurous: Expect a rise in unexpected combinations and mashups (like sweet + spicy or “swicy”), along with reimagined classics like ramen and new uses for globally inspired ingredients.
- Global flavors go deeper and more diverse: Menus are expanding beyond mainstream international cuisine to include more nuanced, regional influences—from Pan-African concepts to emerging Asian ingredients and flavor profiles.
- Back-to-basics, but better: Restaurants are shifting away from chasing fleeting trends and instead doubling down on proven favorites—elevating familiar items with craveable textures, bold flavors, and new formats.
- Experience-driven eating continues to evolve: From interactive dipping experiences to visually striking beverages and nostalgic trend “recycles,” menus are increasingly designed to deliver novelty, shareability, and sensory engagement.
Keep the inspiration going at the 2026 Show where you will discover breakthrough food and beverage products to enhance your menu like Gourmet Culinary Partners’ Dubai Chocolate Phyllo Triangle and Chunk Foods’ Moroccan Spice Cubes.
