Frostkrone Food Group is one of Europe’s leading manufacturers in the frozen snacks and finger food category, known for combining strong production expertise with a deep understanding of international street food and evolving convenience trends. As consumer demand shifts toward more innovative and experience-driven food solutions, the company continues to play an important role in developing creative private label concepts for retail partners across global markets. Ahead of PLMA 2026, we are pleased to speak with Emiel Lommen, Global Commercial Director of Frostkrone Food Group, to explore key market trends, innovation strategies, and future opportunities in the sector.
Emiel Lommen, Global Commercial Director Frostkrone Food Group
- What product innovations and new snack concepts will Frostkrone showcase at PLMA 2026, and how do they reflect changing consumer tastes and expectations?
A clear highlight at Frostkrone’s stand at PLMA 2026 will be the new Cheesy Loops. A striking snack concept that immediately stands out thanks to its distinctive ring shape. However, the idea goes beyond visual appeal. At just 14 grams per piece, they are deliberately smaller, lighter and more versatile than traditional frozen finger food, while still delivering full flavour. Preparation takes only around two minutes, perfectly matching today’s demand for quick, uncomplicated snacking.
The Cheesy Loops will be available in three varieties: Cheddar & Potato, Cheddar & Onion and Cheddar & Jalapeño. Their versatility is key. They work just as well as a relaxed snack on the sofa, for games nights or as a casual side dish. This reflects a clear shift in consumer behaviour: meals and snacks are increasingly blending into one another, with people looking for products that fit flexibly into different everyday moments.
It is also a strong validation that the independent PLMA jury selected the Cheesy Loops for the “New Product Expo”. It underlines what consumers are looking for today: convenience combined with excitement, strong visual appeal, and a more engaging eating experience. Flavour, texture and ease of preparation also play a key role.
In addition, visitors will discover further new products in the Frostkrone range, including Alm Bites with a crispy pretzel-style coating and creamy Obazda-inspired filling, Cheesy Cheezies made from two mature Cheddar varieties with hearty potato, and Truffle Mac & Cheese refined with genuine black summer truffle for a more premium snacking occasion.
Across all innovations, the common thread is clear: international food inspiration, consistent quality and fast preparation. Today’s consumers expect frozen finger food to go beyond convenience — they are looking for flavour, variety, texture and a sense of something new in every bite.
- How are global street food inspirations and international flavour trends influencing the development of frozen snacks and finger food today?
Street food is one of the most important sources of inspiration for innovation in the frozen snack category. At Frostkrone, our development teams closely track global food trends
and translate authentic flavour ideas into modern finger food concepts. Consumers today are significantly more adventurous than just a few years ago. They are looking for small moments of discovery in everyday life — whether through different spice levels, regional specialities or more unexpected flavour combinations.
The key challenge is not simply to follow trends, but to interpret them in a way that feels authentic and consistently delivers high quality. This balance is essential for us.
This approach runs through our entire PLMA range. The new Herbes de Provence Camembert Triangles, for example, combine creamy melting Camembert with an aromatic herb coating inspired by French Mediterranean cuisine, creating a refined yet accessible snack experience.
Elsewhere, Alm Bites draw on the flavours and atmosphere of the traditional Bavarian beer garden, while Truffle Mac & Cheese brings together comforting familiarity with a more premium, haute cuisine inspired character. Although very different in style, these products share a common idea: reinterpreting familiar food cultures for modern snacking occasions.
Overall, it is becoming increasingly clear that consumers want finger food with personality. Beyond convenience, they are looking for products that tell a story, create a sense of occasion and bring international food culture into relaxed, social moments at home.
3. From your perspective, what are the key growth drivers in the frozen ready meals and snacks category, and how is consumer behaviour changing across different markets?
Frozen finger food and snacks have become one of the most dynamic categories in food retail. Consumers are placing significantly more emphasis on convenient snacking solutions than just a few years ago. For Frostkrone Food Group, innovation and close market proximity remain the key drivers of continued growth.
Busy professionals, families and single-person households are all looking for products that can be prepared in minutes without compromising on taste or quality. At the same time, eating habits are clearly evolving. Snacking is increasingly replacing traditional mealtimes — whether in the evening with friends, during a quick lunch while working from home or simply to bridge small hunger moments throughout the day.
Consumers are seeking variety, flexibility and small moments of indulgence that fit different situations. Convenience alone is no longer enough — they expect a genuine and enjoyable taste experience. This is a key focus of our product development.
Another strong growth driver is the air fryer, which has brought frozen finger food and snacks into even more households thanks to its speed and simplicity. As a result, these categories are gaining visibility and shelf space in the highly competitive frozen aisle.
While preferences differ slightly between markets, the overall expectation is consistent: products should be quick to prepare, full of flavour and offer something that clearly stands out from everyday eating.
How does Frostkrone support its retail partners in developing strong, differentiated private-label snack concepts, and what role does innovation play in this collaboration?
Close, trusted partnerships with retailers are central to Frostkrone’s success. Instead of standard solutions, we work closely with our partners to develop distinctive private-label snack concepts and, where needed, fully customised finger food products — from recipe development and product appearance through to packaging design.
Our production sites in Germany, France, the UK and the USA give us the flexibility to operate globally while staying close to regional market needs. This setup allows us to identify international food trends early and translate them precisely into local consumer preferences.
Innovation is at the heart of everything we do. We continuously turn evolving consumer expectations and global food trends into market-ready products tailored to specific target groups. Each year, we develop around 100 new product ideas, of which more than 40 make it to market — ensuring that our partners’ private-label ranges remain relevant, distinctive and trend-driven.
Beyond product development, we also support retailers with tailored promotional concepts linked to key occasions and consumption moments. These include seasonal Christmas editions, sharing formats, snack boxes for major sporting events such as the Super Bowl, and country-specific promotions.
Together with our partners, we create clear purchasing occasions, strengthen shelf presence and help build strong, recognisable private-label identities within the frozen aisle.
- Looking ahead, what do you consider the most important opportunities and challenges for the frozen snacks and finger food segment in the years ahead?
One of the biggest opportunities lies in the continued growth of snacking culture. Finger
food is no longer just an occasional treat — it has become a fixed part of modern eating habits. At the same time, consumer expectations are rising, with the strongest growth coming from products that combine convenience with more sophisticated flavours and a premium eating experience.
For Frostkrone, the direction is clear: we aim to further strengthen our position as a global innovation leader in finger food while continuing our international expansion. Our focus remains on product quality, relevance to consumers and close cooperation with retail partners.
We also see strong potential in the continued development of our licensing business. Brand partnerships open up new snack concepts, offering greater variety for consumers and additional sales impulses for retailers. A good example is our collaboration with Old Amsterdam: the jointly developed Old Amsterdam Cheese Bites combine Dutch cheese tradition with Frostkrone’s expertise in premium finger food.
At the same time, the sector faces clear challenges. Volatile raw material markets, increasing regulatory requirements and sustained price pressure are shaping the environment. Retailers expect both price stability and continuous innovation, a balance that is becoming increasingly demanding.
Our response is to keep investing in product development, production efficiency and long- term partnerships with the retail sector.