According to recent industry research, sweet-heat profiles like hot honey have moved well beyond novelty and into true flavor proliferation, meaning significant menu presence and strong consumer demand. Datassential reports that hot honey has seen dramatic growth on U.S. restaurant menus, with substantially higher adoption and affinity among diners.
Operators are increasingly leaning into bold, craveable profiles that appeal especially to Millennials and Gen Z consumers who expect flavor with a twist, not just something “safe.”
Here are a few reasons this matters for foodservice operators:
1. Sweet + spice is mainstream, not niche
Hot honey has moved into the Proliferation stage of menu adoption, appearing on a growing share of U.S. menus and consistently expanding year over year. Its sweet-heat balance works across everything from fried chicken and sandwiches to snacks and sides.
2. Consumers seek bold, craveable experiences
Flavor profiles that pair sweet with spicy deliver memorable taste experiences — and they’re resonating with diners who treat food as both comfort and excitement. These are the kinds of items that drive repeat visits and social buzz.
3. Trend data translates to real operator value
Hot honey’s growth has been highlighted not just in flavor tracking but in broader industry trend coverage, showing its cross-channel appeal, from regional chains to national foodservice menus. Its role in sweet-heat “swicy” innovation highlights ongoing shifts in consumer preferences.
At OLM, we’ve responded to this flavor momentum over the last year by releasing new products that bring hot honey to menu innovation, including our Crispy Chicken Biscuit, Chicken Bacon BBQ Pizza, and Chicken Bacon Melt, all featuring bold sweet-heat flavor profiles designed to deliver craveability without complicating operations.
Hot honey won’t just spice up menus, it also deepens emotional flavor connection with customers and creates opportunities for differentiation, relevance, and increased check values.
Flavor isn’t static and your menu shouldn’t be either. If you’re exploring ways to capture bold, trending profiles like hot honey in your foodservice lineup, let’s talk.
