Datassential Digest | October 2025

Welcome to October's Datassential Digest! Your go-to source for the latest food & beverage intelligence from the experts at Datassential. In this issue, we share new resources including our first-annual Top Chains in Europe Report, articles discussing best practices and pitfalls of AI in foodservice, our latest insights-filled webinars, data highlights, events, and more.

✨ FEATURED ✨ Don't miss these items

• Join us October 9 for our Menu Movers & Opportunities episode and explore how menu items evolve from inception to ubiquity, highlighting key trends and opportunities.
• Tune in for our annual Future of Drink webinar Thursday, October 16 and learn the latest adult beverage trends expected to grow in 2026 and beyond.
• Missed this GTM webinar yesterday? Watch now and see how data coverage, quality, and trust directly fuel stronger sales performance, higher win rates, and smarter decision-making.
• Say hello to the Datassential team at NACS Show October 15-17, 2025. Reach out to hello@datassential.com to set up a meeting.

DATA SPOTLIGHT: Bite-sized stats and insights to ingest

• 29% of consumers have interacted with AI or used AI tech (ChatGPT, etc.) in the past six months, including almost half (46%) of Gen Z consumers. Source: The Datassential GTM Webinar Series, Episode One
• By cuisine type, the top chains in Europe serve primarily burgers and hot dogs. Source: Datassential Top Chains in Europe Report
• 44% of U.S. consumers are interested in trying global spices and seasonings. Source: Datassential
• Nearly half of operators are known for a signature sauce, condiment or dressing, while 60% of consumers look forward to getting at least one at a particular restaurant. Source: Datassential

NEW RESOURCES: Fresh information you can read, download, watch

• [Report] Top Chains in Europe Report Preview: Read about Europe’s 75 largest chains across France, the UK, Spain, Germany, and Italy.
• [Infographic] Cheese Trends Shaping Europe: Discover how Europe’s love for cheese is evolving — and why it matters for your business.
• [Webinar] Intelligent Selling in F&B: How Winning Teams Use AI: Watch how AI-powered demand forecasting is revolutionizing sales and marketing in foodservice.
• [Article] Using AI in Foodservice: Risks, Tools, and Best Practices: Learn how foodservice teams can leverage AI safely, avoid generic pitfalls, and use purpose-built tools to drive smarter decisions and operator success.

F&B INDUSTRY EVENTS: Where to meet the Datassential team in October

• Partner Webinar - NIQ: Fresh Factor: What’s Popping in Produce and Protein October 2, 2025
• Anuga October 4-8, 2025
• Chicagoland F&B Network (CFBN) Taste the Trends October 9, 2025
• FNCE - Food & Nutrition Conference & Expo October 11-14, 2025
• Market Vision Fall Conference October 13-15, 2025
• Prosper Accelerate October 21-24, 2025
• Pickle Packers Annual Meeting October 28-30, 2025

Want to meet with the team? Reach out to hello@datassential.com

DATASSENTIAL IN THE NEWS: Where our data is the star!

• NBC News: Schools spice up lunch as students ask for more global foods In a survey fielded by Datassential in January and February of this year, 73% of parents said their children had tried new foods in the week prior to when they were polled.
• PMQ Pizza: Report: First-Year Pizzeria Failures Reach Historic Low Only two of more than 1,000 newly opened pizzerias closed within their first 12 months this year, according to fresh research from Datassential.
• See More Stories Featuring Datassential

Interested in more scrumptious insights? Don't miss a beat!

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