A new survey of restaurant chain operators on consumer trends making the most impact on their menu by Kinetic-12 finds that beverage innovation and protein are tops.
Kinetic 12’s Q3 Chain restaurant operator survey on consumer trends impacting their menu.
That’s why Heartland Away From Home should now be your innovation partner. Heartland owns the Splenda® brand of zero-sugar sweeteners, creamers, and syrups.
Splenda is the #1 low-calorie sweetener asked for by consumers1 and Splenda Stevia is the only U.S.-grown stevia in the country. So, from tabletop applications to back-of-house prep, Splenda is the easy choice.
Bulk Beverage Sweetening
Some of America’s top restaurant chains count on Splenda Bulk Beverage Sweetener Pouches for fast, efficient and consistent sweetening of urns of iced tea or fruit-flavored drinks. Choose from Splenda Original or Splenda Stevia Pouches.
Zero-Sugar Dirty Soda Prep
With 75% of consumers avoiding sugar2, Splenda Creamer Bottles and Syrup Bottles with pumps are an easy way to offer low-calorie dirty sodas using your fountain drinks. With so many flavor combinations there are plenty of choices for an LTO or your regular menu.
Cold Brew vs. Iced Coffee
The trend is clear, consumers are making the switch to cold brew coffee versus iced coffee because of its smoother taste. While iced coffee on menus grew just 2% in the past year, cold brew grew 9%. Cold brew is projected to grow 33% by 2030 on menus, iced coffee is projected at only 5% growth in the same period3.
Java House® Cold Brew is steeped for 24 hours from premium Colombian coffee and is available in 32 oz. Plastic Concentrate Bottles (just add water) and in single-service Peel & Pour pods.
Bringing Energy Drinks To The Fountain
Wrangler™ Energy helps you bring one of the top trends in functional beverages to your bar for cocktails and mocktails or table service. This great-tasting drink has 114 mg of caffeine along with b vitamins. Available in Bag-in-Box or single serve Peel and Pour pods and even 12 oz. cans for delivery or takeout.
Collagen Beverages
Collagen beverages are among the fastest growing functional beverages in foodservice, projected to grow 93% in the next four years4. Liquid Science™ Peel and Pour pods mean you simply add water to a glass and serve. Each serving contains 12 grams of high quality collagen. Because pods are available with unflavored or flavor options, you can add them to water, coffee, iced tea, or soda with just a quick peel.
Beverage innovation is driving traffic and profitable sales for full-service restaurants and Heartland Away From Home should be your new partner for making innovation easy. Request your free samples now or purchase our products via DOT Foods.
1 Brand Power Study, Oct. 2025
2 IFIC Consumer Study 2025
3, 4 Datassential, Oct. 2026