2026 Beverage Trends

2026 Beverage Trends

From Fast Casual Nation by Savor.fm

January 20, 2026 · 41 min

About this episode

The episode explores the beverage revolution in restaurants, featuring insights from industry leaders on emerging trends and innovations.

Fast Casual Nation hosts Paul Barron and Cherryh Cansler explore the beverage revolution transforming restaurants with SG Ellison, CEO of Diversified Restaurant Group, and Ryan Maybee, Co-Founder of J. Rieger & Co. Discover how Taco Bell's Live Más Café is reactivating dining rooms with Mexican-inspired drinks, why protein beverages are exploding across chains, and how craft cocktail expectations are reshaping every segment. Learn about draft cocktail innovation, the sober-curious movement, customization trends, and why beverages have evolved from add-ons to destination experiences driving traffic and revenue in today's competitive restaurant landscape. #RestaurantInnovation #BeverageTrends #FastCasualNation Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/fast-casual-nation--3598490/support . Get Your Podcast Now! Are you a hospitality or restaurant industry leader looking to amplify your voice and establish yourself as a thought leader? Look no further than SavorFM, the premier podcast platform designed exclusively for hospitality visionaries like you. Take the next step in your industry leadership journey – visit https://www.savor.fm/ Capital &amp…

People in this episode

Hosts: Paul Barron, Cherryh Cansler

Guests: SG Ellison, Ryan Maybee

Topics covered

  • beverage trends
  • restaurant innovation
  • craft cocktails
  • sober-curious movement
  • customization trends

Keywords

  • Taco Bell
  • Live Más Café
  • protein beverages
  • draft cocktail innovation

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Diversified Restaurant Group, J. Rieger & Co.

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