Sneak Peek at What Consumers Will Want in 2025
Expert predictions for 2025 food trends are still coming out, but we got an early look from Mike Kostyo at Menu Matters to help get our heads around what guests will be looking for. He shared his firm’s pick for “Consumer Need State” of the year, and what’s happening in the world of pasta and Italian food with our team, and we’ve got it here for you!
2024 was a year about consumer stress and anxiety about…everything. It meant consumers were looking for someone (especially in hospitality) to “Just Take Care of Me”. Give them good service, comfort foods, and make everything frictionless, simple and easy. According to Mike and Menu Matters, next year is the year consumers will be ready to break out of those confines in a need state they’ve dubbed “Give Me Something New.”
87% of consumers say they are interested in seeing more trends at restaurants in 2025, 67% very or extremely so.
So what’s a restauranteur to do to be “new”? It’s not necessarily about chasing the latest TikTok fad or trying to put Ube where it might not belong.
“Start with an appeal to all the senses,” says Mike. “How can you enhance aroma, visual appeal, or texture in a dish? Is there a tactile element, or a way for the guest to interact with or “play with” their food?”
Another way to offer something new is through premiumization. Little indulgences or ways to add a touch of luxury to a dish deliver value without discounting. A touch of caviar or truffle on a pasta dish, for instance, can transform an old familiar favorite into a new and more valuable experience.
[Editor’s Note: recipe inspiration that fits this trend here]
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Finally, consumers will be looking to escape in 2025. While that does literally mean travel, foodservice can offer escapes through regional foods and storytelling. Italy and Japan remain top destinations, and whether your guests are coming back from those places and wanting those flavors, or just want to experience them, a restaurant meal can be a form of travel in its own right.
You’ll find a host of regional Italian resources on our recipe website and YouTube channel.