• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Exclusive

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

An hour in the Oval Office with President Trump.

RetailFood and drink

Gen Z and millennials aren’t just rebelling by swapping meals for snacks—they want something ‘experiential’ for TikTok, Oreo’s analytics chief says

Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
Prarthana Prakash
By
Prarthana Prakash
Prarthana Prakash
Europe Business News Reporter
Down Arrow Button Icon
May 27, 2023, 8:00 AM ET
A person smiling and eating a bowl of popcorn
Gen Z and millennials are big snackers—and they want their snacks to be a lot of things. Westend61—Getty Images

Gen Z and millennials demand a lot from food. They’re accustomed to an on-the-go lifestyle in which convenient snacks are the norm rather than three sit-down meals daily. Even then, millennials and Gen Zers want their snacks to taste good, be nutritious, and feel like a whole experience—and better if the snacks are worth posting about on social media or to start a viral trend. 

“What we’ve really seen is because they are big snackers, they want variety and diversity,” Nick Graham, global insights and analytics chief at Mondelez, the packaged food giant behind Oreo, Ritz and more, told Fortune. 

Graham gave the example of limited edition Oreo packs, which included a version with Lady Gaga-themed cookies and another that comes in a spicy chicken flavor. Those products, he said, were designed to offer consumers something familiar, but with a twist, to elevate the snacking experience for Gen Z and millennials.  

“We think about them not just as a product, but a whole consumer experience,” Graham said. “I think what’s as important for these generations isn’t just the flavor of the product.”

According to Mondelez, there is an “increasing interest in more experiential snacks, [and] novel or exotic flavors,” and 80% of the Gen Z and millennials are open to trying new flavors.

“Gen Z and millennials have grown up in a world of choice,” Graham said. “What we’ve seen is their needs from snacking are much more diverse.” 

The eating patterns for Gen Z and millennials have been shifting for years, according to Mondelez, due to busier lifestyles, affordability, and more choices. There is also a generational difference in how snacking is perceived. Graham noted that older generations viewed snacking as a treat or indulgence, but Gen Z and millennials grew up at a time when mealtime was becoming “fragmented,” making snack-eating more mainstream. 

Younger generations are fueling the snacking trend. Seventy-four percent of U.S. consumers under 35 snack at least a few times daily, according to data insights company 84.51°, compared to just 50% for those over 35. 

And social media plays an important role in feeding the need for new and innovative items. TikTok, in particular, is where the younger generation seeks suggestions and discovers food trends. 

When it comes to snacking, TikTok is the top platform for Gen Zers seeking ideas for what items to purchase, according to a survey by the social media company earlier this year. TikTok’s data also showed that 77% of the users tried new things after the platform’s fellow snackaholics inspired them to. For example, clips about making ice cream out of cottage cheese and slabs of yogurt “barks” have had tens of millions of views, TikTok found. 

Graham noted that social media marketing of snack brands like Mondelez factor into whether products become popular among younger generations. Services like TikTok, he said, have given birth to food trends like combining sweet elements with savory dishes, or vice versa. 

“All of these flavors are coming from this desire for novel experiences,” Graham said. “I think even more so just because of the amount of stimulus that these two generations are getting.”

Taste and flavor remain the main criteria for choosing any snack to buy, with 67% of the shoppers surveyed by 84.51° aged between 18 and 34 saying it’s their top priority. Across all age groups, 72% of shoppers prioritized taste over convenience or ability to fulfill their cravings. 

“The younger shopper is a little bit more demanding because they know they can be and that’s how they’ve grown up, and I think the industry responds pretty well to that,” Alexandra Trott, 84.51°’s director of insights, told Fortune. “So the younger generation just wants it all.”

Junk food, which includes potato chips or sugary drinks, has been linked to health risks like obesity and diabetes, but Gen Z and millennials tend to find balance between healthy and not-so-healthy treats they consume. For instance, younger shoppers often check product ingredients when they shop and therefore, opt for yogurt-based snacks for breakfast, for instance. 

“They’re looking for something that has a little bit more nutritional value,” Trott told Fortune. She gave the example of granola bars and protein bars being used as meal replacements, often in the mornings. Even with nutrition in mind, Trott pointed out that consumers, primarily Gen Z and millennials, would not sacrifice on taste. 

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
Prarthana Prakash
By Prarthana PrakashEurope Business News Reporter
LinkedIn icon

Prarthana Prakash was a Europe business reporter at Fortune.

See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Retail

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Retail

delivery
Retailecommerce
Walmart’s upper hand over Amazon in the $1 trillion e-commerce race: 90% of Americans live within 10 miles of a superstore
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 16, 2026
2 days ago
gamestop
RetailM&A
‘Neither credible or attractive’: eBay slaps down GameStop’s $56 billion takeover bid
By Michelle Chapman and The Associated PressMay 12, 2026
6 days ago
amazon
RetailAmazon
Amazon’s promise of 30-minute delivery collides with memories of Domino’s drivers crashing in the late 1980s
By Anne D'Innocenzio and The Associated PressMay 12, 2026
6 days ago
India’s Gen Z turned Diet Coke into a status symbol. A can shortage just made it a luxury
Asiadiet coke
India’s Gen Z turned Diet Coke into a status symbol. A can shortage just made it a luxury
By Brendan Cosgrove and Morning BrewMay 11, 2026
7 days ago
Content creator Logan Walter
SuccessJobs
This Gen Zer dropped out of college to become an influencer—now he’s a millionaire from selling products like Medicube and Neutrogena on TikTok Shop
By Emma BurleighMay 11, 2026
7 days ago
Investors are betting big on senior housing. There’s just one problem—the baby boomers they’re chasing can’t pay the rent
Real Estatebaby boomers
Investors are betting big on senior housing. There’s just one problem—the baby boomers they’re chasing can’t pay the rent
By Sydney LakeMay 9, 2026
9 days ago

Most Popular

Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
AI
Microsoft AI chief gives it 18 months—for all white-collar work to be automated by AI
By Jake AngeloMay 16, 2026
2 days ago
The top foreign holders of U.S. debt may soon dump Treasury bonds and bring their money back home, potentially spiking borrowing costs
Economy
The top foreign holders of U.S. debt may soon dump Treasury bonds and bring their money back home, potentially spiking borrowing costs
By Jason MaMay 17, 2026
16 hours ago
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
Politics
The Bezos family just donated $100 million to help achieve one of Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s top campaign promises
By Jake AngeloMay 12, 2026
6 days ago
'No one was coming to save me': How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn't fix
Success
'No one was coming to save me': How Reese Witherspoon built a $900 million company from a problem Hollywood wouldn't fix
By Sydney LakeMay 17, 2026
23 hours ago
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
Politics
Former top Russian official admits the country is over Putin and can 'imagine a future without him' — even elites bail as Kremlin seizes their assets 
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
1 day ago
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
Innovation
SpaceX heads into a record-shattering IPO with the 'deepest moat that exists today' as investors vow to 'never bet against Elon'
By Jason MaMay 16, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.