New year, fresh opportunities. After a big 2025 that saw the foodservice industry juggling cost pressures, sustainability demands and the rise of delivery-first dining, 2026 is your chance to reset and refocus. Whether you are a manufacturer, supplier or distributor, a clear checklist at the start of the year helps set direction, build momentum and keep your brand competitive.

1. Put Delivery-Readiness Front and Centre

With food delivery platforms generating more than AUD 2.2 billion in 2024–25 (IBISWorld) and forecast to keep growing strongly, products that travel well are no longer optional.

Audit your product range for delivery performance: durability, packaging and portioning.

Market your delivery-ready SKUs as solutions, not just commodities.

2. Make Compliance a Brand Advantage

Food Standards updates in 2025 reminded everyone that compliance is more than a legal tick-box. It is a trust signal.

Review certifications, safety systems and supply agreements to ensure they are current.

Turn compliance into marketing proof points with case studies or one-pagers that show your standards build buyer confidence.

3. Build Sustainability into Every Conversation

Nearly 50% of Australian shoppers now factor sustainability into their purchasing (Monash University). This demand flows through to venues.

Highlight provenance and eco-friendly practices in your brand story.

Revisit packaging for recyclability and waste reduction.

Make sustainability a conversation starter, not an afterthought.

4. Balance Health and Indulgence in Your Portfolio

Consumers want both plant-forward and premium comfort options, sometimes in the same week. Suppliers that offer versatility will stay in demand.

Map your range against health-driven and indulgence-driven categories.

Share menu inspiration to help buyers flex their offerings across both trends.

5. Use Data as a Sales Tool

Buyers increasingly expect suppliers to bring insights, not just ingredients.

Leverage category data, sales trends and consumer insights in your proposals.

Use digital tools to track what products are moving fastest and why.

Position your brand as a partner that helps venues succeed with their customers.

6. Plan for Expos and Face-to-Face Opportunities

2025 proved that industry events are back. In 2026, they will matter even more.

Map out which expos or trade shows align with your target buyers.

Treat them as campaigns, not one-offs: pre-event outreach, engaging presence, and strong follow-up.

Build an expo-to-contract pipeline so leads do not fade once the booth packs down.

7. Refresh Your Marketing Playbook

The start of the year is a great time to ensure your marketing aligns with where the industry is headed.

Audit your website, sales materials and social presence. Do they tell the right story for 2026?

Make sure your brand voice reflects trust, efficiency and innovation.

Plan a content calendar that connects industry shifts to your solutions.

Final Food for Thought: Start as You Mean to Go On

2026 will reward suppliers who start the year with clarity, agility and confidence. By focusing on delivery-readiness, compliance, sustainability, versatility, data, face-to-face opportunities and marketing, you set your brand up not just to compete, but to lead.

Want help turning this checklist into an actionable strategy? Let’s chat about how FoodLogic can help your business start strong and stay ahead in 2026.

Start Strong: Your 2026 Checklist for Foodservice Marketing & Supply Chain Success