AI-Powered Food Trends for the Away-From-Home Industry
As we look toward 2025, it’s clear that AI-powered foodservice trends are more than just an insight—they are essential in reshaping how food and beverage brands approach away-from-home challenges. The recent International Foodservice Manufacturers Association (IFMA) webinar, led by Miriam Aniel, Director of Marketing Communications at Tastewise, and Sam Newman, Director of Enterprise Accounts, shed light on AI-Powered Food Trends, generational impacts on foodservice, and the critical role of AI in food marketing and brand innovation.
Let’s dive into what Miriam and Sam shared, exploring why these insights hold strategic value and how they align with broader industry shifts.
Miss the trend, miss the market
The foodservice industry is experiencing unprecedented shifts in consumer preferences. Recent data from IFMA shows that 78% of consumers are increasingly selective, expecting personalized and sustainable options. Miriam pointed out,
“AI isn’t just a data source; it’s a lens through which we understand nuanced consumer needs.”
This shift is no longer just a post-pandemic adjustment but a fundamental realignment with consumers’ changing values.
In practical terms, food trends driven by AI in food marketing provide brands with actionable insights to respond to these values at scale, enabling rapid adaptation in product development and marketing strategies. For example, restaurants can fine-tune menu offerings based on real-time consumer insights, a valuable approach as brands navigate an era of heightened competition and decreased foot traffic.
Why trend mastery is key to surviving market shifts
Innovation is at the core of modern food branding, and AI-powered insights are a catalyst. Sam emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to explore and innovate,
“With AI, we’re not just predicting what consumers want; we’re creating new connections that weren’t visible before.”
AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data—from social media to menus—offers unique perspectives on consumer preferences. This advantage is crucial for food brands looking to position themselves with forward-looking product concepts. Food innovation informed by AI helps brands make confident, data-driven decisions, enabling them to bring innovative products to market faster and with fewer risks.
Beyond greenwashing: the real deal on sustainable food marketing
Sustainability remains a growing priority among consumers, but the challenge lies in implementing effective strategies that resonate across diverse markets. Miriam highlighted that
“sustainable food marketing is not one-size-fits-all; it requires localized insights.”
AI plays a pivotal role here by distinguishing regional and generational preferences, enabling brands to tailor sustainability messaging effectively. Major chains are now integrating sustainable options, and brands are using AI to track and adapt to consumer preferences on a city-by-city basis.
The study revealed that in New York, independent restaurants contribute 59% of sustainable menu mentions, while Charlotte sees just 10% from independents. Such data reveals how sustainability messaging and implementation need to adapt based on local market dynamics, ensuring brand relevance across regions.
Personalization power-up: why hyper-personalized dining is the future
The move towards hyper-personalized nutrition and seasonal offerings is shaping 2025 food trends, particularly in away-from-home dining. The AI-driven insights discussed by Miriam and Sam underscore that personalization is paramount in attracting a broad consumer base. With Tastewise’s capabilities, brands can tap into hyper-local trends, fine-tune ingredient combinations, and build seasonal offerings that appeal across generational divides.
Personalized products cater to consumers’ evolving expectations for health-focused choices and seasonal items that are relevant year-round. Sam stated,
“The data shows that when we adapt products to what consumers specifically seek, we’re not only meeting a demand but enhancing brand loyalty.”
Real-world examples of AI in food marketing: From condiments to coffee
Sam shared specific applications of AI-powered insights, like the increased consumer interest in “functional condiments.” By understanding rising trends—such as gut health and immune support—restaurants can incorporate ingredients like black lime or turmeric, creating personalized touchpoints in everyday meals.
Similarly, AI insights reveal that food and beverage trends can create space for innovative product introductions. This year, for instance, we’ve seen a resurgence of ethically sourced coffee among major foodservice brands, who use sustainability as a core value point. AI not only identifies these trends but also tracks consumer sentiment in real time, helping brands introduce and market products that reflect current consumer priorities.
AI on your side: how Tastewise’s platform leads in food brand innovation
Tastewise’s GenAI-powered consumer data platform is at the forefront of this trend-led strategy, bringing an advantage in food brand innovation.
As the Tastewise team noted,
“Our mission is to help brands understand not just what consumers want, but why.”
Through precise, actionable insights, Tastewise enables food and beverage brands to drive innovation, validate concepts, and market products with unprecedented speed and accuracy.
With Tastewise, brands have access to an advanced understanding of AI-powered food trends, allowing them to execute marketing strategies and product launches that align seamlessly with consumer preferences. This approach empowers brands to adapt to changing market needs quickly and without the usual risks associated with new product rollouts.
Stay ahead of the game: embracing AI-powered trends to tackle industry challenges
Keeping pace with food trends isn’t just advantageous; it’s essential. AI-powered food trend analysis holds the key to navigating the complexity of consumer expectations in 2025 and beyond. Brands that leverage AI-driven insights can not only better serve their current customers but also anticipate and shape future demands in the foodservice industry.
Through Tastewise’s platform, the food and beverage industry has the opportunity to drive meaningful innovation, connect deeply with evolving consumer values, and lead the charge toward a future where AI-driven insights set the pace for the industry.
In the words of Sam,
“When we harness the power of data-driven insight, we’re creating products and experiences that truly resonate with today’s consumer.”
This is the future of food and beverage: adaptable, consumer-centric, and powered by data-driven innovation.