2026 Menu Outlook

What Operators Need to Know

Protein Market Snapshot for 2026

Beef: High Prices, Tight Supply

U.S. beef production for 2026 is forecast at ~25.7B lbs, with cattle supplies historically tight and prices elevated.
Operator impact: Expect premium costs; use portion‑controlled beef formats. [ers.usda.gov]

Pork: Steady Supply, Best Value

Commercial pork production rises to ~28.2B lbs, with producer hog prices softening to ~$67/cwt, offering strong menu value. [ers.usda.gov]

Poultry (Broilers): Stable & Cost‑Effective

Broiler production climbs to ~48.3B lbs with competitive wholesale pricing around $1.31/lb.
Operator impact: Ideal for value meals, bowls, and bundles. [poultrytimes.com]

Eggs: Significantly Lower Prices

After 2025 HPAI spikes, egg prices fall sharply; early‑2026 wholesale benchmarks trend near 230¢/doz. [ers.usda.gov], [hpj.com]

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Tariffs & Supply Chain Notes

Tariff policy in 2026 remains fluid—Section 301 actions, reciprocal tariffs, and shifting exclusions continue to influence landed costs.
Some added tariffs on Brazilian beef have been removed, improving import flexibility slightly.
Freight markets trend lower, but reliability remains uneven due to geopolitical shifts. [hts.usitc.gov], [tradecompl…rcehub.com] [expanamarkets.com] [ismworld.org]

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What’s Trending on Menus in 2026

• Value clarity: Diners scrutinize pricing as food‑away‑from‑home inflation hits +4.6%. Smaller portions, shareables, and bundle deals rise. [ers.usda.gov]
• Bold flavor & “swavory” mashups: Miso caramel, sweet‑savory blends, chili crunch, hot honey, global sauces. [technomic.com]
• Labor‑saving SKUs: With ongoing labor pressure, operators prefer pre‑prepped proteins and fast‑cook items. [technomic.com]
• Comfort with a twist: Authentic, protein‑forward dishes with global accents outperform. [tastewise.io]

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Why Philly Steaks Are a Smart 2026 Menu Choice

1) Beef efficiency during high‑price year
Thin‑sliced steak delivers strong flavor with predictable portions—critical when cattle prices remain elevated. [ers.usda.gov]

2) Labor‑light prep
Ready‑to‑cook, consistent slices reduce training and speed up throughput—matching 2026 labor‑saving trends. [technomic.com]

3) Versatility across dayparts
Use in hoagies, bowls, flatbreads, fries, wraps—flexibility that operators increasingly demand. [ritterfoods.com]

4) Trend‑friendly flavor canvas
Works with global sauces, “swavory” profiles, and comfort‑food mashups that resonate in 2026. [technomic.com]

5) Strong value perception
Steak + cheese + visible portioning helps justify price points when diners judge restaurant value closely. [ers.usda.gov]

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In Summary

• Beef stays expensive, pork and poultry remain value drivers, and egg prices ease dramatically.
• Tariffs and freight add unpredictability, but overall costs stabilize compared to 2024–25.
• Menu success in 2026 hinges on value clarity, bold flavors, and labor‑efficient ingredients.
• Philly steaks align perfectly—offering craveability, portion control, speed, and menu versatility.