From Backyard to Menu: The Real Burger vs Hotdog Showdown
From stadiums to street corners, the battle of Burger vs Hotdog continues to fire up grills and consumer debates. In the U.S., Americans consume a massive 50 billion burgers every year, compared to 20 billion hot dogs. Burgers also generate over $28 billion in annual sales, six times the value of hot dogs at $4.6 billion. The numbers speak for themselves, but there’s more to the story.
What’s really driving burger trends and hot dog trends in 2025? Let’s get into it.
What is a burger?
A burger is a grilled or fried patty—traditionally made with ground beef—served on a hamburger bun. According to our Tastewise data, burgers have evolved into a customizable powerhouse in foodservice and retail, with innovations like croissant bacon cheeseburgers, cheeseburger bowls, and pulled mushroom patties. Subcategories like chicken burger trends and veggie burger trends offer additional range, covering everything from protein-heavy to plant-based choices.
What is a hot dog?
A hot dog is a smoked or cooked sausage placed in a long bun, often topped with mustard, relish, or sauerkraut. While hot dog trends are driven by comfort and tradition, they’ve recently seen creativity in formats like chili cheese dog bakes, Korean corn dogs, and even hot dog burnt ends.
Burger vs Hotdog: what’s the difference?
| Feature | Hot Dog | Hamburger |
| Calories | ~290 kcal | ~295 kcal |
| Taste | Smoky, salty, juicier | Savory, beefy, grilled |
| Ingredients | Ground meat, spices, casing, preservatives | Ground beef, seasoning, fewer additives |
| Production | Cured, stuffed, and smoked | Grilled or fried patties |
| Health | High sodium & preservatives | More protein, iron, B vitamins |
| Sodium | ~1090 mg | ~414 mg |
| Protein | ~10.3 g | ~17.1 g |
| Glycemic Index | 28 | 66 |
| Cholesterol | Higher | Lower |
| Bun Type | Elongated and soft | Round and sturdy |
(Source: NBC News, Integrative Urgent Care)
Sales and consumption
Burgers dominate consumption in the U.S.—almost 2.5 times more are eaten annually than hot dogs. Burgers also lead in revenue, with $28 billion in sales compared to hot dogs’ $4.6 billion. Packaged burgers are seeing projected growth at 7.4% CAGR through 2033, while the hot dog market, including sausages, is growing at 3–4% CAGR globally.
Burgers are mostly consumed at fast food restaurants and chains. Hot dogs are more common at home, during events, or at ballparks. Convenience and prep complexity play a role: burgers are easier to grill in batches, while hot dogs cool quickly and don’t reheat well.
Limited-time offers (LTOs) built around trending burger trends or nostalgic hot dog trends can boost traffic and drive urgency on menus.
See how top brands build successful LTOs—read the guide
Burger trends
Burger trends are all about variety, from indulgent bacon cheeseburgers to health-driven bowls and patties made with Impossible or black bean proteins. Fusion builds like bacon jam cheeseburger eggrolls also show up across social and recipe platforms. With over 1.7 million likes on some burger-focused posts, social engagement is high.
Both chicken burger trends and veggie burger trends are mature categories, with plant-based patties maintaining a loyal following. Declining ingredients like kale and chickpea are being replaced by richer, indulgent flavors, as “intense,” “hearty,” and “zesty” show up in rising consumer needs.
Hot dog trends
Hot dog trends remain rooted in comfort. They spike around summer, BBQ season, and major U.S. holidays. Creative variations—like grilled cheese hot dogs and coney dogs—pop up often in user-generated content. Costco’s $1.50 hot dog combo still fuels over 400,000 likes on viral posts.
While overall menu visibility is lower than burgers, hot dogs excel in nostalgic and social settings. Consumption moments center on meals with family, festivals, or casual gatherings.
Popularity and audience
Burger vs Hotdog isn’t just about taste—it’s about identity and context. Burgers appeal to consumers looking for quick meals, variety, and custom builds. They dominate restaurant menus and fast-food chains with more than 60% menu presence in U.S. listings.
Hot dog trends, on the other hand, connect with regional pride and classic Americana. From Chicago-style to Sonoran, hot dogs reflect local culture and event-based eating. But consumer interest on social has dropped over the past 24 months—while burger content continues to drive millions of impressions.
Consumers seeking health-forward options now favor lean burger formats with fewer additives, nudging hot dogs further toward indulgent, occasional treats.
FAQs
Which is healthier, burger or hot dog?
A lean burger is typically healthier. It offers more protein and fewer additives, while hot dogs often contain nitrites, higher sodium, and preservatives.
Why aren’t hot dogs as popular as burgers?
Burgers are easier to cook, more customizable, and better suited to restaurant operations. Hot dogs are harder to keep fresh and don’t offer the same visual or menu flexibility.
What’s the difference between a hot dog bun and a hamburger bun?
Hamburger bun trends focus on structure and support. Burger buns are round and firm, ideal for toppings. Hot dog buns are soft and elongated—better for cradling sausages, but less flexible for other uses.
What’s the difference between a hot dog menu and a hamburger menu?
Hot dog menus highlight sausage styles and regional toppings. Burger menus feature multiple proteins, global flavors, and more customization. That variety gives burgers the edge in restaurant and fast food formats.
Final bite
In the battle of Burger vs Hotdog, burgers lead in sales, menu presence, and consumer flexibility. They meet the demand for indulgence, health, and variety all in one bun. Hot dogs remain a powerful force in nostalgia and event-driven consumption but are less likely to feature as everyday meals.
For F&B brands, the takeaway is clear: burger trends, chicken burger trends, and veggie burger trends are a strong space for innovation, especially when paired with fast data from platforms like Tastewise. Want to build a better burger strategy? Start with data that shows what’s working, when, and where.