Protein-packed meals, restaurant-inspired favorites, family-style solutions and all-day breakfast are among the key forces driving growth in the U.S. frozen food aisle, according to Conagra Brands’ third annual Future of Frozen Food 2026 report.

This data-driven report reveals how consumer behaviors, generational preferences, and innovations are reshaping the $93.5 billion U.S. frozen food market.  

Conagra’s Demand Science team developed this year’s report using insights from Circana, NielsenIQ’s Label Insight technology, social media trends from Tastewise, and search data from Similarweb. Together, these sources highlight four transformative trends shaping the future of the frozen food department, along with broader insights into how and when consumers are eating frozen foods.  

“Frozen food is no longer just about convenience, it’s about meeting consumers wherever and however they’re eating,” said Bob Nolan, senior vice president of demand science at Conagra Brands. “As households grow more complex and budgets stay top of mind, frozen food delivers on quality, nutrition and affordability in a big way.” 

Emerging trends:  

• The Power of Protein: Protein remains the most influential nutrition attribute across the store. High-protein frozen foods generate $12 billion annually and are growing at double-digit volume rates.
• Restaurant Cravings, Frozen Convenience: As the cost of dining out continues to climb, consumers are recreating restaurant experiences at home. “Takeout-style” frozen foods now total $14 billion in annual sales, driven by iconic chicken formats, global flavors and shareable snacks. Younger generations and families are leading this shift, turning to frozen for restaurant-quality taste, convenience and value.
• Serving Up Connection: With more meals being shared at home, frozen food is fueling a return to family-style dining. Multi-serve meals, pizzas, and frozen sides represent roughly $12 billion in sales and continue to grow as multigenerational households and families seek affordable ways to feed everyone. Value-size frozen products now account for more than 40% of frozen aisle sales.
• Rise and Dine: Frozen breakfast occasions are growing faster than the total category, as consumers enjoy breakfast items throughout the day as meals or snacks. High-protein, ready-to-heat formats like handhelds, bowls and breakfast sausage are gaining momentum, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials, who prioritize convenience, nutrition and flexibility at any hour. 

The complete report can be accessed on the Conagra website.

About Conagra Brands 
Conagra Brands, Inc., is one of North America's leading branded food companies. We combine a 100-year history of making quality food with agility and a relentless focus on collaboration and innovation. The company's portfolio is continuously evolving to satisfy consumers' ever-changing food preferences. Conagra's brands include Birds Eye, Duncan Hines, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender's, Reddi-wip, Slim Jim, Angie's BOOMCHICKAPOP, and many more. As a corporate citizen, we aim to do what's right for our business, our employees, our communities and the world. Headquartered in Chicago, Conagra Brands generated fiscal 2025 net sales of nearly $12 billion.