Datassential’s Midyear Trends Report showcases growing trends and flavors, industry issues, key consumer insights, and what’s ahead in the world of food and beverage for 2025. The report comes from surveys of more than 1,500 U.S. consumers and 400 U.S. foodservice operators.
Are Consumers Dining Out?
In a year where many in the on-premise industry have seen a decline in foot traffic due to inflation and decreased spending on dining out, there is some good news. According to Datassential's report, 46% of operators have seen an in-person dining uptick over the past year.
In terms of specific segments, fast casual operators are most likely to report an increase in in-person dining at 55%. On the flip side, midscale operators are the top segment to report a decrease in in-person dining (22%).
When it comes to customers choosing to dine off-premise through delivery or pickup and takeout, it's been more of the same this year. 37% of respondents said ordering frequency has not changed in its pickup and takeout channels. However, in delivery, while 25% said ordering frequency has not changed, the majority (48%) said they don't even offer a delivery option.
What's Trending
There's been plenty of talk about consumers' desires for healthier options, functional beverages, and non-alc options. However, Datassential's report found that 58% of consumers don't take nutrition or diet into consideration when choosing somewhere to eat out, challenging this narrative.
One of the most popular dishes halfway through 2024? Pad thai. This approachable noodle dish is customizable to suit consumers’ preferences. Many establishments offer the baseline vegetable pad thai with protein options (chicken, shrimp, etc.) as add-ons at an additional cost. In fact, vegetable pad thai saw a 64% 12-month growth on menus.
In the world of beverages, coffee continues to climb, specifically cold brew. Cold brew is now found at several
midscale dining chains, and according to Datassential, coffee cocktails have moved to Proliferation on the Menu Adoption Cycle (MAC). Consumers are also looking for their coffee to be interesting and unique—think bubbles and pearls; mushroom coffee; and coffee mocktails.
Datassential predicts global twists on coffee will be big in 2025, along with salted egg yolk and Haitian cuisine.
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