
Hype vs. substance ·
3 of 5 Protein Signals Have Staying Power
Key takeaway
1 of 5 signals combine broad reach with staying power, while 1 looks more like short-lived buzz on the WBC scale.
What the data shows
- Mexican Food u201cNear Meu201d — WBC Trend Score 57/100. Strongest dimension: longevity (25/25). Searches for “Mexican food near me” remain high as Mexican cuisine stays hugely popular. The U.S. Mexican restaurant market hit ~$96.4 billion in 2025…
- Sparkling Protein Sodas — WBC Trend Score 48/100. Strongest dimension: reach (13/25). North American functional beverage brands are moving protein from creamy shakes into clear, lightly carbonated sodas. Fruity and candy-style flavors, zero-sugar positioning and ready-to-drink…
- Supermarket Sushi Kiosk Rollouts — WBC Trend Score 45/100. Strongest dimension: longevity (20/25). Fresh sushi kiosks inside supermarkets are scaling as convenient meal stops, giving grocery trips a made-on-site foodservice layer for lunches, snacks and evening top-ups.
- Clear Protein Waters — WBC Trend Score 44/100. Strongest dimension: market (13/25). Clear protein powders and ready-to-drink formats replace thick shakes with juice-like, refreshing protein beverages, widening usage into warm-weather hydration, post-workout sipping and between-meal routines.
- Chicken & Waffles Beyond Brunch — WBC Trend Score 42/100. Strongest dimension: longevity (13/25). Chicken and waffles is escaping the brunch plate into waffle-bun sandwiches, sandwich cookies and protein chips. Simultaneous U.S. launches and fresh consumer reviews are…
How to read this chart
Each signal is placed by reach (horizontal) and longevity (vertical) on the WBC 0–25 scale. The quadrants split at the midpoint of the scale.
About the WBC Trend Score
The WBC Trend Score combines four dimensions — reach, novelty, longevity and market impact — each rated from 0 to 25, for a total of 0 to 100. Scores are Wild Bite Club’s editorial assessment of the available evidence and are reviewed over time. They are not measurements of market size, sales or demand.
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