If 2025 dining was shaped by providing an experience, then 2026 will be the year of major customization. Driven by Gen Z's desire for expression through food, offering made-to-order, DIY-style dishes will interject much-sought after creativity and zest into any daypart your business offers.
If You Let Them Build it, They Will Come
If there's one thing to incorporate onto menus starting now, it's customization. According to restaurant tech platform Sauce, about 75% of Gen Z prefer to customize their orders.1
Incorporate this easily into your breakfast and brunch dayparts by letting guests build their own omelets, sammies, smoothies, and bowls. Streamline your inventory by choosing ingredients that have the most versatility across applications — like Peak Fresh Produce® Spinach or Contigo® Avocado Pulp for savory egg dishes as well as sweet smoothies.
Provide patrons with a choice of fun, flavorful toppings and dippers for readymade Heritage Ovens® Pancake Bites or French Toast Sticks, even offer customization for authentic thaw-and-heat Contigo® Pupusas with cheeses, salsas, and sauces.
The other plus for personalization is that it makes catering to the array of dietary restrictions a lot easier to navigate. Gluten-free? Keto? Vegan? Easy-peasy.
Sharing is Caring
In 2025, a whopping 90% of Gen Z diners said they enjoy eating at communal tables, and 63% of them say that communal dining is a great way to spark convos and meet new people.2
Younger diners are inclined to show out in group settings. Start by incorporating some longer benches or seating in spaces that work. You may just be able to cozy more guests in when you replace two tops with more family-style perches. Then craft your menu to follow suit!
Offer big brunch boards stacked with delectable finger foods suitable for sharing. Think a lush breakfast charcuterie board as a starter, complete with fruit, yogurt dipping sauce, bacon-wrapped bites, and rolled crepes. Another alternative is a ribboned pile of Empire's Treasure® All Natural Cold Smoked Salmon with smears of different flavored cream cheeses. Serve with a sprinkle of capers and a side of Delancey Street Deli® New York-Style Bagel chunks.
Or try a platter of Adelante™ Cajeta-Filled Churros plus Contigo Guava & Cheese Pastelitos, served with a smorgasbord of toppings and sauces for drizzling. Try West Creek® Dessert Toppings like Sliced Strawberries or Crushed Pineapple for quick, labor-friendly options. For drinks, pitchers of spicy, ingredient-packed Bloodys or flights of fruity n/a mimosas are always at-the-ready to bring people together in the best way possible — over a plate.
Come Fly with Me
Taking flight is no longer just reserved for beverages. In a world with so many options, it's simply a more fun experience to be able to indulge in a bunch of things. (After all, who doesn't love sample day at the local grocery store?!) So, offer your diners a similar chance with the first meal, and kick their day off right:
- Mini Pancake and Waffle Flights. Blueberry, chocolate chip, and lemon ricotta, oh my!
- Mini Eggs Benedict Trio. Switch up the hollandaise, test a new protein, sub an English muffin for a crumpet. How can anyone pass this up?
- Pops of Potato. Great for the table, offer small baskets of Roma® Potato Wedges with salted honey butter, garlic aioli drizzled home fries, or mashed potato croquettes with fresh chive and cheddar.
Flights appeal for many reasons: the promise of variety for the tastebuds, the eye-catching opportunities for social media, and the excitement of sharing a new, unique item with those across from you.
1. https://www.getsauce.com/post/gen-z-food-delivery-trends-2025