Snack and drink brand CEOs outline 2026 growth plans to investors and analysts

CAGNY — the Consumer Analyst Group of New York’s annual meeting, where food and beverage leaders “pitch” their companies to Wall Street — offered a look into what snack and refreshment brands want more of in 2026: portable protein, functional benefits, cleaner ingredient cues and more aggressive pushes into convenience-led channels.

For convenience services operators, the most useful signal wasn’t just which companies sounded confident. It was how brands are framing “permission to buy” in a financially stressed consumer environment: value packs and smaller formats, but with labels that read better (fewer ingredients, alternative oils, less sodium), plus functionality that earns a higher ring.

Here’s a quick take from some of the companies that took the stage at CAGNY.

PepsiCo
Fiber, hydration and “restaging” core snack brands

PepsiCo’s chief executive put fiber and hydration at the center of its near-term consumer bets and said the company is “restaging” Lay’s, Tostitos, Gatorade and Quaker — an emphasis that includes fewer ingredients, more alternative oil offerings (including olive and avocado oil mentions), and continued work on reduced sodium while replacing artificial flavors and colors where possible.

For convenience services, that’s a cue to expect more better-for-you line extensions under mainstream brands that already turn fast in vending and micro markets.

The J.M. Smucker Co.
Uncrustables goes bigger on dayparts and shelf-life flexibility

Smucker said Uncrustables is on track for about $1 billion in net sales in fiscal 2026. The company has expanded the handheld snack into breakfast, including a new blueberry variety, and continues to push in convenience channels.

The most operator-relevant detail: a refrigerated Uncrustables line expected to launch in July with a five-day shelf life, positioning it for high traffic micro markets and managed pantry programs that can support tighter rotations.

Hormel Foods
‘Substantial snacking’ is the protein playbook

Hormel’s leadership leaned hard into protein as a cross-channel, cross-generation trend and positioned Planters as a platform to expand beyond packaged nuts into what it called “substantial snacking.” Hormel also pointed to Applegate’s growth runway in morning convenience products.

For operators, this is a green light to test more protein-forward assortments that can replace a meal — especially morning and mid-afternoon — without relying on supplements or bars.

Celsius Holdings
Energy shifts from impulse to routine, and convenience is a ‘whitespace’

Celsius told analysts it now operates a three-brand platform — Celsius, Alani Nu and Rockstar — aimed at distinct consumers and occasions as energy becomes part of daily routines, meals and social moments. The company said the convenience channel is one of its biggest “whitespace opportunities,” or underserved opportunities, and it expects sizable shelf-space growth in 2026, particularly for Alani Nu.

For operators, that could translate into more segmented planograms, featuring daypart-focused offerings — routine morning energy, “treat” energy and core performance energy — rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Mondelēz International
‘Munching’ stays resilient

Mondelēz said snacking remains embedded in daily life, but it is planning marketing investment and supply-chain work to address pressured basket sizes while expanding more affordable options. While it pointed out expansion in club, value and convenience-store channels, the company highlighted a focus on “munching” occasions with more on-the-go and individualized packaging.

For operators, consumers still want permission to snack despite belt-tightening, and single-serve and portable packs can meet consumers at the point of purchase.

Coca-Cola
Continuity and portfolio scale

Coca-Cola’s incoming chief executive signaled no major strategic shifts, highlighted the company’s 32 billion-dollar brands, and said digital will sit at the core of how it connects with consumers and customers, including a new chief digital officer role.

For operators, be prepared for more digitally driven activation that may show up in promotions, merchandising expectations and shopper engagement.

For more on what these and other packaged food leaders told the financial community at CAGNY, see FoodProcessing.com’s roundup.