November 2024

Designing a Prix Fixe Menu for the Winter Holidays: A Step-by-Step Guide for Your Restaurant

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December 3, 2024

The winter holiday season is one of the most magical times of the year, and for restaurants, it’s also a golden opportunity to shine. Offering a prix fixe menu for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve is an excellent way to attract diners seeking a festive dining experience. These curated menus can showcase your chef’s talents, streamline operations, and drive revenue.


In this guide, we’ll explore how to design the perfect prix fixe menu tailored for the holidays. From choosing seasonal dishes to crafting a pricing strategy, we’ll ensure you’re ready to make this winter your restaurant’s most successful season yet!

What Is a Prix Fixe Menu?

A prix fixe menu is a set menu offered at a fixed price, typically consisting of multiple courses such as an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Some holiday prix fixe menus may even include wine pairings or special add-ons. Popular during special occasions, this dining format simplifies decision-making for guests while giving restaurants control over food costs and portion sizes. A limited menu also ensures fresh ingredients and increases kitchen efficiency.

Why Offer a Prix Fixe Menu During the Holidays?

Prix fixe menus are a staple for holiday dining, offering advantages for both restaurants and guests. These menus are beloved not only for elevating the dining experience but also for simplifying operations during one of the busiest times of the year. Let’s dive into how they can benefit your restaurant this holiday season:

1. Streamlined Operations

Running a restaurant during the holidays can be hectic, but a prix fixe menu simplifies the workflow. By limiting the options, your kitchen staff can focus on perfecting a smaller selection of dishes, reducing preparation times and minimizing errors. This efficiency speeds up service, ensuring customers are satisfied and allowing your team to turn more tables. Additionally, front-of-house staff can operate more smoothly with fewer menu details to explain, improving overall guest satisfaction.

2. Revenue Predictability

With a pre-determined cost per guest, a prix fixe menu provides clear revenue expectations for each table. This consistency helps you forecast profits more accurately, plan your inventory with confidence, and avoid overstocking. For guests, the transparency of knowing their total spend upfront creates a sense of value, especially when the menu offers a variety of courses or exclusive dishes.

3. Showcase Creativity

The holidays are the perfect time for chefs to shine, and a prix fixe menu gives them a chance to flex their culinary muscles. Crafting seasonal dishes with ingredients like cranberries, chestnuts, or truffles adds a festive touch and highlights the creativity of your kitchen. By focusing on high-margin, in-season ingredients, chefs can create elevated dishes that not only delight guests but also boost profitability. 

4. Enhance the Dining Experience

A prix fixe menu turns a meal into an event, giving diners the feeling that they’re part of something special. This curated experience often resonates deeply during the holidays, when customers are seeking meaningful celebrations with friends and family. The exclusivity and thoughtfulness of a pre-planned menu encourages diners to share their positive experiences — whether by word of mouth, glowing reviews, or social media posts. The added prestige of a prix fixe option may also attract new customers seeking something unique during the holiday rush.


Incorporating a prix fixe menu is a win-win situation: it’s a marketing opportunity, a creative outlet, and a way to stand out in a competitive market. By offering a thoughtfully designed menu, you’ll create memorable experiences that drive repeat business long after the holidays are over.

How to Design a Prix Fixe Menu for the Holidays

Crafting a winter prix fixe menu requires a thoughtful approach. Here’s how to create a menu that’s festive, cost-effective, and irresistible to your guests.

1. Highlight Seasonal Ingredients

Seasonal ingredients not only taste better but are often more cost-effective. Incorporate winter staples like squash, root vegetables, game meats, and warming spices such as cinnamon or nutmeg.

  • Thanksgiving: Think turkey roulades, pumpkin bisque, or cranberry-glazed pork.
  • Christmas: Highlight roasted goose, prime rib, or chestnut stuffing.
  • New Year’s Eve: Consider indulgent dishes like lobster, filet mignon, or black truffle risotto.
A whole turkey on a serving platter for a Thanksgiving feast.

2. Offer Customizable Options

Provide diners with choices for each course to appeal to a broader audience and to account for dietary restrictions. For example:

  • Appetizer Options: Butternut squash soup, roasted beet salad, or smoked salmon tartare.
  • Main Course Options: Herb-crusted lamb, pan-seared salmon, or a vegetarian risotto.
  • Dessert Options: Eggnog panna cotta, chocolate Yule log, or a spiced pear tart.

3. Set the Right Price

Pricing should cover food costs while still offering value to your guests. Take these factors into account:

  • Ingredient costs — seasonal ingredients help here
  • Portion sizes appropriate for your dining style
  • Competitor pricing for holiday menus

Plating and Presentation for Holiday Prix Fixe Menus

During the holidays, plating and presentation matters more than ever. Here’s how to make your dishes Instagram-worthy:

1. Incorporate Festive Colors

Use garnishes like pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs, or edible gold leaves to add holiday flair.

2. Emphasize Seasonal Themes

Choose plating that reflects the season. Rustic wooden boards can evoke a cozy Thanksgiving feel, while sleek white plates with metallic accents are perfect for New Year’s Eve.

3. Balance Elegance and Functionality

Plates should complement the dish while being practical for service. Avoid oversized plates that make portions look sparse or small dishes that feel cramped.

Marketing Your Holiday Prix Fixe Menu

Once your menu is finalized, it’s time to spread the word. Here are some strategies to ensure your holiday menu is a hit:

1. Social Media Campaigns

Post tantalizing photos of each dish, holiday-themed videos, and behind-the-scenes shots of your kitchen preparing for the holidays. Don’t forget to use seasonal hashtags like #HolidayDining or #NYEats.

2. Email Marketing

Send your customer list an email featuring the full menu, pricing, and how to make a reservation. Highlight any early-bird specials to encourage bookings.

3. Collaborate with Local Media

Partner with local bloggers, food influencers, or even your community’s newspaper to get the word out about your special holiday offerings.

Two wine glasses on a restaurant table with a Christmas prix fixe menu in the center of it.

Tracking the Success of Your Holiday Prix Fixe Menu

After the festive season ends, it’s essential to assess the performance of your holiday prix fixe menu. Evaluating its success isn’t just about looking at revenue; it involves a comprehensive review of guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, and marketing effectiveness. This data-driven approach ensures that each successive year is better than the last.

Key Metrics to Monitor

1. Sales Data:

  • Guest Orders: Track how many guests opted for the prix fixe menu compared to your standard menu. A high adoption rate indicates that your marketing and menu design resonated well with customers.
  • Average Spend Per Guest: Analyze whether the prix fixe menu increased the average spend per diner. This metric helps determine the menu’s profitability and its contribution to overall revenue.
  • Peak and Off-Peak Performance: Note if the menu drove more traffic during traditionally slower periods, such as early or mid-week evenings.

2. Customer Feedback:

  • In-Person Surveys: Train servers to casually ask diners about their experience, focusing on what they loved and what could be improved.
  • Follow-Up Emails: Use reservation data to send post-visit surveys. Include specific questions about menu quality, portion sizes, service, and overall experience.
  • Online Reviews: Monitor platforms like Google, Yelp, and social media for feedback. Praise can validate your efforts, while criticism can provide actionable insights.

3. Operational Metrics:

  • Kitchen Efficiency: Assess whether the prix fixe menu streamlined your kitchen operations. Did it reduce preparation complexity, or were there delays during service?
  • Ingredient Utilization: Review food waste and ingredient usage. A well-planned prix fixe menu should minimize waste by efficiently repurposing ingredients across dishes.
  • Staff Workflow: Evaluate how the menu impacted your front-of-house and back-of-house teams. Were servers able to describe and deliver dishes effectively? Did chefs feel overburdened or find the menu manageable?

4. Marketing Effectiveness:

  • Reservations and Walk-Ins: Track how your prix fixe menu impacted reservations versus walk-in traffic. Marketing campaigns should lead to a noticeable increase in advance bookings.
  • Engagement Metrics: Measure the success of promotional efforts, such as social media impressions, clicks on email campaigns, or website traffic spikes.
  • Promotional Offers: Analyze the response to any bundled deals or discounts offered alongside the prix fixe menu to gauge their effectiveness in driving sales.

How to Use This Data

Once you’ve gathered and analyzed these metrics, use the insights to improve your future menus and marketing strategies:

  • Menu Adjustments: Identify which dishes were the most and least popular, then refine next year’s offerings to include more crowd-pleasers.
  • Pricing Strategy: If customers consistently praised value for money, you might consider a slightly higher price next year. Conversely, if pricing was a sticking point, explore ways to lower costs without sacrificing quality.
  • Operational Changes: Address any bottlenecks in the kitchen or service flow. If preparation times caused delays, consider offering dishes that can be prepped earlier without compromising freshness.
  • Enhanced Marketing: Focus your efforts on the channels and campaigns that delivered the best return on investment. For example, if Instagram drove the most engagement, double down on visual promotions next season.

By consistently monitoring these metrics and acting on the findings, your holiday prix fixe menu will not only delight your guests but also boost your restaurant’s profitability and reputation year after year.

Sample Holiday Prix Fixe Menu

Here’s an example of what your winter prix fixe menu might look like:

Thanksgiving Prix Fixe

  • Appetizer: Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Toasted Pepitas and Sage Oil
  • Main Course: Herb-Stuffed Turkey Roulade with Cranberry Reduction and Root Vegetable Mash
  • Dessert: Pecan Pie Cheesecake with Bourbon Caramel Sauce
A pecan cheesecake plated at a restaurant.

Christmas Prix Fixe

  • Appetizer: Chestnut and Mushroom Velouté with Thyme Croutons
  • Main Course: Prime Rib with Red Wine Jus, Brussels Sprouts, and Truffle Mashed Potatoes
  • Dessert: Chocolate Yule Log with Hazelnut Cream

New Year’s Eve Prix Fixe

  • Appetizer: Lobster Bisque with Chive Oil and Garlic Toast
  • Main Course: Seared Filet Mignon with Black Truffle Butter and Wild Mushroom Risotto
  • Dessert: Champagne-Infused Sorbet with Fresh Berries

Leave the Administrative Work to Push

Offering a prix fixe menu during the holidays is a win-win for restaurants and guests alike. It streamlines operations, ensures predictable revenue, showcases culinary creativity, and elevates the dining experience. By curating a memorable and festive menu, you’ll not only delight your customers but also set your restaurant apart during the busiest season of the year.


While you focus on designing the perfect holiday menu, Push can help streamline your restaurant’s operations. From payroll solutions to automated scheduling and time trakcing, Push is an all-in-one people management software tailored for restaurants.


Get started today to make this holiday season your most efficient — and profitable — yet! Book your free consultation now.

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The food and hospitality industry is entering a transformative era in 2024 — driven by consumer demand for transparency, health, environmental responsibility, and a touch of culinary innovation. Diners are more informed, adventurous, and values-driven than ever before. Whether it’s a craving for Korean-BBQ tacos, gut-friendly mocktails, or carbon-labeled menus, today’s customers are embracing trends that combine personal wellness with global consciousness.

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For restaurant owners and foodservice managers, keeping pace with the latest food trends is more than a matter of creativity — it’s a necessity for profitability and long-term success. This guide explores the top food trends for 2024, from plant-based innovations to tech-forward sustainability practices, and how operators can successfully integrate them into their businesses.

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Let’s dig into what’s trending, what your customers want, and how your restaurant can stay ahead.

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What Are the Top Food Trends for 2024?

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Here’s a snapshot of the most impactful food trends shaping menus and operations in 2024:

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  • Plant-based innovations – Beyond tofu: think cultivated meats, mushroom mycelium, and chickpea-based seafood substitutes.
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  • Climate-conscious menus – Locally sourced, low-waste, and forward-thinking menus aligned with environmental responsibility.
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  • Functional wellness foods – Ingredients that support mood, energy, and immunity are being infused into dishes and drinks.
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  • Tech-driven dining experiences – AI tools, robotics, and smart systems are elevating back-of-house efficiency and customer-facing dining.
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  • Global flavor fusions – Mashups of regional cuisines (like Indian-Mexican or Korean-South American) offer novelty and richness.
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Why Do Restaurant Owners Need to Pay Attention to Food Trends?

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  • Consumer demand is shifting: According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2024 Culinary Forecast, over 70% of diners say they actively seek healthier, more sustainable options when dining out.
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  • Increased brand loyalty: Restaurants that align with customer values — health, ethics, innovation — earn trust, repeat visits, and social shares.
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  • Operational agility: Trend-oriented kitchens are quicker to pivot when supply chains shift, diets evolve, or digital preferences change.
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Which Foods Are Trending This Year Across the U.S.?

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Rise of Plant-Based Food Trends

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  • Cultivated meats: Also known as lab-grown meats, these are becoming mainstream. Brands like UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat are breaking into U.S. markets with chicken grown from animal cells in controlled environments.
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  • Mycoproteins & legumes: Derived from fungi or pulses, protein-rich alternatives like tempeh, jackfruit, and lupin are being used creatively in tacos, BBQ ribs, and seafood analogs.
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  • Mainstream adoption: Major chains like Burger King and Chipotle continue expanding plant-forward menus, while independents offer bold meatless dishes with flavor-forward sauces, global spices, and satisfying textures.
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Healthy Food Trends for 2024

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  • Gut health focus: Probiotic-rich dishes (kimchi grilled cheese or sourdough naan wraps) and fermented sides are on the rise.
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  • Lower-sugar desserts: Sweet treats are being reimagined with monk fruit, dates, and other low-glycemic ingredients.
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  • Immunity boosters: Menus highlight ingredients like turmeric, ginger, vitamin C, and zinc through smoothies, teas, and power bowls.
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  • Clean-label commitment: Consumers are studying ingredient lists, preferring dishes with wholesome, recognizable components.
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Functional Foods and Beverages

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  • Nootropic-infused drinks: Beverages powered by L-theanine or functional mushrooms cater to focus and calm.
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  • Adaptogenic add-ons: Herbs like ashwagandha, maca, and rhodiola are finding their way into smoothies, lattes, and sauces.
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  • Wellness cocktails: Mixed drinks sans alcohol — but heavy on health — promote detox and energy, flavored with botanicals and natural extracts like spirulina, matcha, and activated charcoal.
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How Are Sustainable Food Trends Shaping the Industry?

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From Menu to Sourcing: The Push Toward Sustainability

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  • Local and seasonal sourcing: Supporting nearby farms reduces emissions, ensures freshness, and appeals to community-minded consumers.
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  • Zero-waste operations: Chefs are using root-to-stem cooking, fermentation for food preservation, and creative uses for scraps in sauces or stocks.
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  • Eco-conscious packaging: Compostable containers, reusable to-go kits, and edible cutlery are disrupting traditional takeout models.
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Tech and Innovation in Sustainable Dining

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  • Carbon labeling: Climate impact scores on menus help customers make informed dining decisions, much like calorie counts.
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  • AI-driven inventory management: Tools optimize ordering patterns, reducing spoilage and overstock-related waste.
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  • Vertical farming & hydroponic setups: Onsite or bordered supply chains shorten the farm-to-table journey.
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What Is the Most Popular Food Trend Right Now?

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While many trends are gaining traction, one standout in 2024 is the rise of global comfort fusion — particularly dishes that marry traditional comfort food with spicy, umami-rich flavors.

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  • Korean-Mexican cuisine: Think birria bulgogi tacos or kimchi queso.
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  • Indian-South American mashups: Curried empanadas or tandoori arepas are headline grabbers.
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  • TikTok’s viral influence: Trends like \“chili crisp eggs\” or \“pickle sushi\” are being adapted on local menus, proving that social virality turns into real-world demand.
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How Social Media Is Driving Food Trend Adoption

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Role of Social Media in Accelerating Food Fads

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  • Influencer credibility: A single post from a viral chef or creator can spark national interest in a dish.
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  • Hashtag virality: Foods labeled #ButterBoard or #WaterTok evolve into week-long waitlists and menu must-haves.
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  • User-generated content: Diners love documenting quirky, beautiful, or “you’ve-never-seen-this-before” dishes to share online.
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Leveraging Food Trends for Restaurant Marketing

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  • Seasonal menus & pop-ups: Limited-time offerings based on trending foods motivate urgency and trial.
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  • Social callouts: Encourage diners to tag, post, or review your trend-forward menu items.
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  • Reels and behind-the-scenes content: Show viewers where your ingredients come from or how a niche global dish is made.
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Global and Fusion Food Trends to Watch

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  • Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) flavors: Featuring citrusy ceviches with umami-rich miso and soy glazes.
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  • West African influences: Dishes using jollof rice, egusi stew, or fonio grain paired with plant-based elements.
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  • Filipino-American blends: Adobo-braised brisket sandwiches or ube milkshakes have mainstream momentum.
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Tips for Implementing 2024 Food Trends in Your Restaurant

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  • Test with limited-time offers (LTOs): Introduce a trending ingredient as a weekly special or seasonal dish to measure interest.
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  • Survey your customers: Use email lists or POS systems to gather input on potential additions.
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  • Train your staff: Equip them with the knowledge and enthusiasm to explain functional or sustainable items.
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  • Work with specialized suppliers: Align with local farmers, health-focused vendors, or zero-waste packaging providers for smoother execution.
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Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Curve with 2024’s Food Trends

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Adapting to food trends in 2024 isn’t about chasing every new idea — it’s about identifying the trends that align with your market, values, and culinary identity. Plant-based options, sustainability, global flavors, and wellness-centric dining aren’t just appealing — they’re economically vital.

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Restaurants that act early — leveraging data, culture, and digital ecosystems — will attract today’s health-conscious, eco-aware diner and become tomorrow’s industry leaders.

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Ready to Lead the Industry with Smarter Menu Strategies?

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2024 promises bold innovations in food — and your restaurant can thrive by embracing the right trends. Whether you’re scaling functional drinks, reducing kitchen waste, or jumping on the next viral fusion dish, the right tools can help you act faster and smarter.

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Subscribe to the Push blog for expert insights on restaurant operations, emerging food trends, and next-gen hospitality technology. Stay ahead — serve success.

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Internal Links

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External Sources

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  • National Restaurant Association 2024 Culinary Forecast
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  • Technomic’s 2024 Foodservice Trends Report
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  • Mintel Functional Food Trends Analysis 2024
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