The foodservice industry is catching up with Gen Alpha’s dining preferences, even if their slang remains a mystery. These mini tastemakers aren’t just tagging along with their parents to restaurants––they’re often the ones picking them out. Let’s look at this generation’s preferred culinary experiences and how foodservice operators and brands can respond right now.
Food for Adventurous Tastebuds
When it comes to trying new flavors and foods, Gen Alpha is anything but shy. Born after 2010, their parents are millennials who are known to embrace a broader range of cuisines than previous generations. Millennials’ kids, therefore, likely grew up munching on fare like falafel and sipping drinks like kombucha. Restaurants and brands are responding to their tastes by offering up more bold flavors influenced by international fare.
Want to appeal to families with young children? Play up global items and get creative with fusions.
The New Functional Foodies
Foods with health benefits have soared in popularity, and these young diners are leading the way. Marketers have taken note of the trend toward health-forward ingredients––28% of worldwide children’s food launches in 2024 boasted vitamin or mineral fortification. Gut health and functional foods have become household concepts, with nine out of 10 parents of four- to five-year-olds interested in food and drinks that promote gut health. As they grow into their own consumer group, Gen Alpha is expected to have a deeper sense of the link between nutrition and well-being. Highlighting these foods and their benefits can help set your menu or brand apart in the crowded marketplace.
Emphasizing Ethical Eating
This young cohort is especially aware of how climate change is impacting global food availability. This means they’re more likely to be interested in sustainable technologies like genetically modified ingredients and lab-grown foods. Savvy foodservice brands and restaurants are now working with upcycled ingredients, regenerative farming and eco-friendly packaging.
Appeal to Gen Alpha’s interest in sustainability by providing education on the benefits of innovations like enhanced nutritional value and reduced pesticide use
Leveraging Social Media Marketing
As a digital native generation (though not the first), Gen Alpha is highly immersed in social media. This makes digital marketing a prime method of getting their attention, with platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Instagram the major drivers of food trends. Food influencers command the space, with 49% of kids trusting their product recommendations as much as their own friends and family. Want to improve your brand’s presence on online channels? Partner with influencers, run interactive promotions and leverage digital storytelling.
“56% of K-12 students have tried cooking meals they saw online, and 58% enjoy preparing food for themselves.” -Symrise
Future-Proofing Your Brand
They may be tiny––and some of their vocabulary confusing––but their influence is mighty. Gen Alpha is changing the way the foodservice industry reaches and satisfies their diners, and it’s only the beginning. Find out how to leverage digital marketing and build campaigns that will make your brand stand out to the next generation.
Sources:
- “7 Things Food Manufacturers Should Know About Generation Alpha,” Glanbia Nutritionals.
- “Alpha Bites: Diving into Gen Alpha’s Food and Flavor Adventures,” FlavorSum, April 2024.
- “Meet Gen Alpha: The Next Generation of Food Consumers,” Mintel, March 2025.
- “Gen alpha’s foodie revolution: playful palates and global trends,” Symrise, November 2024.
- “What to Know About Generation Alpha and Influencer Marketing,” Forbes, June 2024.