Sauce has shifted from a supporting player at the side of a plate to the main event itself, and with many snackers choosing what to order based on the condiment first and letting the protein or vegetable underneath be its vehicle, McDonald's launched The Sauce Stop. This live activation was made for fans who see dipping sauces as the highlight of their McDonald’s experience, and celebrate their shared love in community. On-site, a digital kiosk lets fans personalize sauce-themed stickers in a colorful, photo-worthy destination that embraces real fan behaviors, like collecting sauce pots or licking the lid.
The in-person experience feeds into Here for the Sauce, a new campaign from the fast food giant, and supports the latest sauce trio: Korean BBQ, Ranch and Hot Honey.
Protein Cottage Cheese
Consumers are expanding their consumption of protein-rich cottage cheese products as TikTok-driven interest fuels innovation and market growth
Question 1
Compared with 12 months ago, how often do you consume cottage cheese or cottage-cheese-based products today?
Question 2
Which of the following, if any, have influenced your interest in cottage cheese or cottage-cheese-based products?
Select all that apply
Watermelon Ice Cream Hack
Consumers are adopting the viral TikTok watermelon ice cream hack because it offers a simple way to make refreshing, dairy-free ice cream at home.
Question 1
Which best describes your experience with frozen watermelon "ice cream"?
Question 2
Have you ever made watermelon “ice cream” at home, by blending frozen watermelon into a soft, scoopable treat?
Question 3
How likely are you to make watermelon “ice cream” again?
Question 4
What did you like about making watermelon “ice cream”?
Select all that apply
Modular Growth Gear
Parents are adopting modular youth gear that is adjustable, upgradeable, and serviceable to accommodate fast-growing athletes and reduce the need for full replacement cycles.
Question 1
Do you currently have any children under 18 who participate in organized or recreational sports?
Question 2
Have you ever purchased sports gear designed to adjust as your child grows?
Question 3
When your child outgrows a piece of sports gear, how much of a problem is having to replace it?
Question 4
What bothers you MOST about replacing outgrown gear?
Question 5
How likely would you be to choose sports gear that adjusts or upgrades as your child grows the next time you buy one?
Consumer Demand Drives Foldable and Multi-Screen Devices
Consumers are adopting foldable and multi-screen devices as they seek more versatile and pocketable screen options for enhanced mobility and functionality.
Question 1
Which of the following types of devices have you personally used in the past 12 months?
Select up to 8
Question 2
What are the main reasons you use or chose this type of device?
Select up to 3
Question 3
How likely would you be to choose a foldable or multi-screen device the next time you purchase a smartphone, tablet, or laptop?
Digital Detox Travel Hardware
Consumers are adopting dumbphones and single-purpose gadgets as essential travel hardware to minimize digital distractions during summer trips.
Question 1
During a summer leisure trip, have you ever left your usual smartphone behind and used only a basic phone or "dumbphone" with limited functions?
Question 2
What was the MAIN reason you used this type of device during your trip?
Question 3
On a future leisure trip, how likely would you be to leave your smartphone behind and use only a basic phone with limited functions?
Trend Themes
Condiment-first Ordering — Sauces are becoming primary purchase drivers, creating room for menu systems that position dips, glazes, and flavor add-ons as customizable hero products.
Fandom-led Food Activations — Brand experiences built around niche eating rituals can transform casual customers into communities that generate social content and repeat engagement.
Personalized Snack Merchandise — Digital sticker kiosks and sauce-themed collectibles point to new value in low-cost customization that extends limited-time food campaigns beyond the meal.
Industry Implications
Quick-service Restaurants — Fast food brands can differentiate through flavor-led campaigns that make condiments, limited drops, and fan behaviors central to the guest experience.
Experiential Marketing — Immersive, photo-ready activations are expanding from product showcases into participatory spaces that validate consumer rituals and encourage sharing.
Food Packaging — Collectible sauce pots, lids, and branded containers suggest packaging can function as both a sensory touchpoint and a fan-oriented keepsake.
