1. Nostalgic favorites
More than half of consumers (54%) ages 18 to 34 prefer the desserts they ate as children. Diners in this age range are also more adventurous eaters than older patrons, and are likely to be interested in desserts with salty, savory or spicy flavors, or alcohol as an ingredient. Since classic desserts highly appeal to these adventurous guests, operators can further engage customers with unique flavor combinations like whiskey ice cream floats or spicy fudgesicles. Candy as an ingredient may also draw attention, something Dairy Queen is betting on with the recent return of its Treatzza Pizza offerings from the '90s.