What Diners are Craving: Insights from our Executive Chef Survey
What do diners really want when they walk into a dining hall or café? To answer that, we went straight to the experts—the Executive Chefs who serve thousands of guests every day across our campus and corporate dining locations. From Michigan to Florida and Colorado to the Carolinas, we surveyed chefs to uncover the most-requested dishes, emerging trends, and the reliable favorites that never leave the menu.
The results paint a clear picture of what keeps guests coming back for more: bold global flavors, customizable options, and comfort foods with staying power.
Comfort Classics Still Win Big
Some staples simply never go out of style. Across many locations, classic burgers and chicken tenders continue to rank among the top sellers. At the grill, comfort dishes like specialty burgers, mac and cheese bars, and chicken wings remain reliable favorites—familiar, satisfying, and endlessly customizable.
Premium cuts also make a strong showing: dishes featuring beef brisket and flank steak remain popular in regions where hearty plates are part of the culture.
The Reign of Chicken Continues
If there’s one ingredient that dominates across the board, it’s chicken. Whether it’s fried, grilled, seasoned, or sauced, chicken finds its way to the top of nearly every station’s list.
Popular items include:
- Specialty chicken entrées
- Chicken sandwiches
- Chicken wings
- Popcorn chicken bowls
Its versatility makes it a hit in nearly every dining environment, from student dining halls to corporate cafés.
Global Flavors Take Center Stage
One of the biggest standouts from this year’s survey: Taqueria-style customizable Mexican fare remains the most popular food across our global stations. Guests gravitate toward build-your-own stations that let them personalize every element, from proteins and toppings to heat levels and sauces.
Universal Favorites
While diners in different states show unique preferences, several themes stay constant:
- Global cuisine, especially Mexican-inspired dishes
- Customizable bowls and bars
- Comfort foods, upgraded with chef-driven twists
In corporate dining, chicken wings and Mexican fare lead the way, demonstrating that employees crave the same bold, flavorful options as students.
What This Means for Our Menus
These insights help us stay ahead of evolving diner preferences while keeping beloved staples readily available. Our chefs use this feedback to continue refining menus, introducing new global dishes, and building out stations where guests can personalize their plates.
Ultimately, whether you’re in a campus dining hall or a corporate café, the trends are clear: people want food that’s flavorful, customizable, comforting—and crafted with care. Contact us to discuss dining options for your campus or corporate cafe. (Click the infographic to download.)
