Vending

Frito-Lay Snack Index: Americans anxious to try new snacks

Image: Adobe Stock.

February 2, 2023

Most Americans (71%) are excited to try new flavors or variations of their favorite snack in 2023, a gain over prior years, according to the newly released Frito-Lay Snack Index.

The index is based on a survey conducted between Jan. 12 and Jan. 17, 2023 among a national sample of 2,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18 and above, according to a press release.

Survey highlights include:

• Compared to previous years, 71% said they're more excited to try new flavors or variations of their favorite snacks in 2023.
• Millennials (61%) are the most eager to try new snack flavors, followed by Gen Z (57%) and Gen X (52%). On the other hand, Baby Boomers prefer to stick with tried-and-true classic flavors at 38%.
• Though loyal to their favorites, Americans are equally open to new flavor varieties. Half like to try new flavors rather than just keeping to their classics.
• Gen Z notes a love for flavor "dust," with 59% preferring snacks that leave remnants on their fingers, compared to just 40% overall.
• Fifty-nine percent of Americans have bonded over snack preferences with people they have struggled to make conversation with, including a partner's friends or family (27%), co-workers (24%) and even strangers in the checkout line (18%).
• Gen Z (79%) and Millennials (72%) are the most likely people to have connected with another person over snacks, followed by Gen X (61%) and baby boomers (42%)
• Only three in 10 Americans have gotten into an argument over snack flavors.