New takes on flavor and cost-cutting are emerging and a new poultry product could be taking over chicken’s top spot in foodservice as we look forward to 2025.
During the webinar, “What Will Thrive in 2025,” industry experts shared their predictions
1. Value offers will continue
“Inflation undoubtedly created traffic turmoil in 2024 and to counteract high prices, operators rolled out various discounts and deals with mixed results, but we’re starting to see some traction around that in 2025,” explained Joe Pawlak, managing principal, Technomic during the webinar, “What Will Thrive in 2025.”
Multiple quick service restaurant (QSR) chains, including McDonald’s and Burger King, debuted value meal deals in 2024 in an attempt to counter consumer concerns about rising prices and inflation.
“One area we will see in 2025 is that value meals will help with the recovery,” said Pawlak.
“We think that value meals that started midyear will continue and consumers like value meals at the end of the day. We expect more of this to happen.”
According to Technomic data, 72% of consumers wish more restaurants would offer value menus and 57% indicate that they’re ordering off value menus more often now than two years ago.
In 2025, Pawlak expects that foodservice operators will emphasize value deals combined with limited time offers to drive sales.
2. Spicy flavors will prevail
In 2024, foodservice menus experienced a heat wave of flavors. Expect the full complexity of peppers in 2025, said Katie Belflower, menu research and insights, Technomic.
“Operators are now moving beyond mere heat to embrace the full complexity that peppers can offer,” she explained.
Nashville hot will still be popular with poultry foodservice, but operators may also mix it up with flavor pairing that mix sweet and spicy. In 2025, operators will also play around with the spice levels for sauces and dips that go along with chicken offerings “to cater to a diverse range of spice preferences among guests,” Belflower said.
Spices and peppers tie into a growing consumer interest in global cuisines and flavors.
3. Will egg’s steal chicken’s spotlight?
Chicken enjoyed a meteoric rise in foodservice over the past five years. Most QSRs now offer some sort of chicken product – sandwiches, tenders, nuggets and more. Eggs are now set to take center stage.
“There are many reasons eggs are poised to have a moment in 2025. Their incredible versatility and comfort factor are certainly at the top of that list,” Belflower predicted.
For example, she noted some interesting innovation happening with eggs in skillets, omelets and burgers. New takes on egg salad could also be in the spotlight in 2025.
