Beyond Burgers & Fries: 10 Fast Food Trends for 2025

Fast food and fast casual dining are massive categories within the MULO (multi-location) ecosystem. Although they are related, fast casual dining usually entails sit-down service and more menu options, whereas fast food usually entails a smaller list of choices and different ambiance.

Options for hamburgers, pizza, wings, tacos, and other “grab and go” foods exist on every major highway and in populated communities, so hungry consumers don’t need to look far to find a meal or a snack “near them.”

Globally, the fast food market is valued at nearly $800B and is expected to grow to more than $1T by 2030.

What are we seeing and predicting for 2025 in the MULO fast food world?

1. As diners look for healthier options, fast-food salad brands are popping up, and other brand categories are adding more nutritious options to their menus.
2. Sustainability is more important than ever before to consumers, and brands are offering “cutlery optional” for take-out and delivery orders and are looking for packaging options that are affordable and yet kind to the environment.
3. Chicken is having a moment. Chains abound, and KFC just added a new sub-brand called Saucy, which focused on condiments.
4. Speaking of condiments, food media predicts that toppings will become more important to consumers in the year ahead. Think beyond ketchup and mustard!
5. Many fast food brands have partnered with C-stores, to offer familiar choices to consumers and some MULO giants like Fat Brands are locating stores in non-traditional venues like college campuses, casinos, and other high-traffic places.
6. Choosing locations has become a smarter process, as companies like Placer.ai provide data and insights regarding foot traffic, migration patterns, and other factors that operators need to know before hanging out a new sign and building their drive-thru lanes.
7. Facing rising labor and ingredient costs, brands seek automated food preparation and ordering solutions.
8. AI will impact all MULO industries, and fast food brands are no exception. No longer will companies need to ask, “Do you want fries with that?” The question (which may be asked by an automated system) is, “Should I start your fries order today?”
9. Days start earlier in the fast food world as consumers demand more breakfast options. Major fast-food brands are looking at ways to satisfy the morning crowd and even offer breakfast options all day long.
10. Private equity (PE) firms will continue to invest in this space.

The simple days of burgers, fries, and a soda are long gone. Fast food = fast innovation in 2025!