ARLINGTON, Va.—FMI—The Food Industry Association released The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026, which finds grocery foodservice items have become fully integrated into consumers' meal landscape, with more than half (56%) of households combining home preparation with foods prepared outside the home for dinner at least once a week.
“We’re seeing more and more households replace home-cooked and restaurant meals with deli-prepared foods,” said David Haaf, vice president of fresh foods for FMI. “The opportunity for food retailers is to reframe their foodservice department as a go-to resource.”
Offer Flexible Meal Solutions
The report finds an opportunity for food retailers to view prepared foods as flexible building blocks to support the way shoppers already cook. Shoppers express interest in meal bundles, heat-and-eat sides, family-size options and combinations of prepared and grocery items that make meals together convenient.
Haaf continued, “In some cases, the foodservice department may only need to solve a part of the meal a shopper seeks to make. Often, the shopper is searching for meal inspiration more than the actual main dish or side component.”
Meal Opportunities Continue Throughout the Day
Shoppers’ meal needs are shaped daily by schedules, work location and circumstances, yet distinct windows exist where meal decisions are made. For example, half of same-day dinner decisions occur between 3:00 and 7:00 p.m. Similar decision windows exist for breakfast and lunch, providing several opportunities throughout the day for foodservice departments to match shoppers’ needs.
Create a Reputation for Your Foodservice Department
The report finds that only one-third of shoppers say their primary grocery store is known for a deli-prepared food item, often citing rotisserie or roasted chicken, subs, deli meat, sushi or pizza.
“Put your foodservice department on the map with a solid reputational offering,” said Haaf. “Shoppers tell us they are open to culturally diverse foodservice options and that prepared foods can often be a trip driver. There is real value in being a store known for a certain foodservice item and offering enough variety that entices shoppers beyond the grocery foodservice department.”
The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 is generally sponsored by Hillphoenix, A Dover Company.
Frequently Asked Questions about The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026
What is The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report?
The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report is the eleventh report in an annual report series exploring shopper perceptions, attitudes and behaviors regarding deli-prepared foods in grocery stores. The report presents key research findings and implications for retail foodservice.
How was research for The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 conducted?
FMI—The Food Industry Association conducted this research with a survey programed in Qualtrics and administered online to a nationally representative sample of 1,480 U.S. grocery shoppers aged 18 or older. The survey was conducted July 8–15, 2026. The maximum sampling error is ±2.5 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.
Who is the audience for The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report?
The audience for The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026 report includes foodservice at retail department leaders, fresh food merchandisers and food product suppliers in deli and foodservice. In addition, food industry leadership in fresh food developing business strategy and interested in consumer trends in foodservice would benefit from this report.
What are the key findings from The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2026?
Prepared foods are increasingly integrated into everyday meal routines, even as those routines become less predictable. Grocery has an opportunity to compete for more meal occasions by understanding when shoppers need help, strengthening its food proposition and making meal solutions easier to build and buy.
