The Rise of Viral Food Trends: Fries Take the Lead

Strategic Insights -

In a world where digital food culture is thriving, a recent study has revealed that 77 per cent of Americans decide what to eat based on trends. The humble fries are leading this digital food revolution, with social media exposure inspiring action and influencing dinner choices. A survey of 5,000 adults in the United States, conducted by Talker Research and commissioned by McCain Foods, showed that social media is dictating dinner, with 93 per cent of respondents encountering food posts regularly and nearly 58 per cent saving enough viral recipes to fill a cookbook.

Key Takeaways:

  • 77 per cent of Americans decide what to eat based on trends, according to a New York Post report.
  • Social media is increasingly dictating dinner, with 93 per cent of respondents encountering food posts regularly.
  • Fries are the most viral food trend, with 72 per cent of respondents seeing it online.
  • Millennials are especially obsessed with viral food trends, with 76 per cent of them reporting they have spotted the trend on their feeds.
  • Caesar salad and fries combo, also known as 'Girl Dinner', is gaining popularity on social media, with 30 per cent of respondents engaging with it.
  • Espresso martinis are another popular viral food trend, with 17 per cent of respondents engaging with it.
  • Fries have outranked other foods in terms of viral potential, including chicken (67 per cent), pasta (63 per cent), and pizza (62 per cent).
  • Fries are a perfect social snack because they are easy to love, with 66 per cent of people agreeing.
  • A no double-dipping policy is enforced by a firm 68 per cent, and 43 per cent insist on asking before grabbing the last fry.
  • Tracy Hostetler, Vice President of Marketing for North American Potato at McCain, credits fries for being flexible, familiar, and loved by everyone, which makes them so viral.
  • Food is once again bringing people together in person, with 60 per cent of Americans regularly sharing food with friends.
  • Fries are the second most favourite food to share with others, after pizza.
  • Sharing fries comes with its own rules, with 68 per cent enforcing a no double-dipping policy and 43 per cent insisting on asking before grabbing the last fry.

Statistics:

  • 77 per cent of Americans decide what to eat based on trends.
  • 93 per cent of respondents encounter food posts regularly.
  • 72 per cent of respondents see fries as a viral food trend online.
  • 30 per cent of respondents engage with Caesar salad and fries combo.
  • 17 per cent of respondents engage with espresso martinis.
  • 66 per cent of people find fries to be a perfect social snack.
  • 68 per cent enforce a no double-dipping policy for fries.
  • 43 per cent insist on asking before grabbing the last fry.
  • 60 per cent of Americans regularly share food with friends.
  • 71 per cent of Americans share pizza with others.
  • 56 per cent of people find it hard to argue with the love for fries.
  • 44 per cent of respondents find it nearly impossible to resist fries.

Sources:

  • New York Post
  • Talker Research and McCain Foods