Burger vs Sandwich: What’s Winning Hearts (and Stomachs) in 2025?

In 2025, the burger vs sandwich debate is more than a culinary squabble, it’s a business decision. According to Tastewise, burger-related conversations dipped by 3.62% year-over-year, while sandwich-related social buzz climbed modestly by 0.05%. With over 530,000 restaurants and nearly 5 million dishes analyzed, this isn’t just chatter, it’s data-driven insight.

Quick trend overview:

Trend Area	Key Highlights
Hearty, comforting flavors	Rich sauces, grilled proteins, and cozy profiles are trending.
Fresh formats	Artisan breads, veggie-packed layers, and global styles like Cubanos and banh mi.
Functional health	Chicken salads, protein-rich builds, and gluten-free wraps are in demand.
Chicken burger trends	Spicy, crispy, and sauce-forward with healthier ingredient twists.
Veggie burger trends	Recipes with jackfruit, mushrooms, and beans are gaining saves.
Hamburger bun trends	Brioche, pretzel buns, and lettuce wraps are modernizing the burger base.
Chicken sandwich trends	Healthier oils, whole-grain breads, and clean-label options are trending.
Club sandwich trends	Up 224% in mentions—linked to “intense flavor” and “rich experience” (Tastewise).

What is a burger?

A burger is a patty, usually beef, chicken, or plant-based, grilled or fried and nestled between two buns. It’s the foodservice equivalent of bold statements and craveable comfort. The hamburger’s roots in the United States trace back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, inspired by the Hamburg steak brought by German immigrants. 

The modern burger-ground beef patty served in a bun-gained popularity at the 1904 St. Louis World’s Fair. Over the decades, the burger evolved into a symbol of American fast food culture, with White Castle (founded 1921) and McDonald’s (founded 1940) pioneering the fast-food burger industry and making it a staple nationwide.

What is a sandwich?

A sandwich is more flexible. Think fillings like meats, cheeses, or veggies, placed between slices of bread or rolls. Cold or hot. Classic or elevated. It’s a go-to for versatility and speed.

The sandwich originated in 18th-century England, credited to the 4th Earl of Sandwich who popularized meat between bread for convenience. Though ancient cultures used similar concepts, the sandwich became a global staple by the 19th century, valued for its versatility, portability, and quick, adaptable meal options.

What’s the difference between a burger and a sandwich?

Feature	Burger	Sandwich
Calories	Higher (~297 Cal/100g)	Varies (~285 Cal/100g)
Taste	Grilled, indulgent, meaty	Broad, sweet, savory, spicy, cold, hot
Ingredients	Patty, bun, lettuce, tomato, sauce	Bread, meats/cheese/veg, spreads
Production	Cook patty, assemble	Assemble, sometimes cook components
Health benefits	Heavier, but lean and veggie options available	Can be lighter; supports balanced diets

Trend spotlight: what’s hot in 2025

According to Tastewise, burgers saw a slight rebound after a 2-year decline in consumer conversations. TikTok content alone drew millions of views, from black bean sliders to cheetos-sauced chicken burgers. This year, standout burger trends include:

• Plant-forward patties – mushroom, black bean, and lentil burgers are gaining traction in menus and recipes.
• Cultural mashups – think curry burgers and banh mi-inspired builds.
• Mini is mighty – sliders continue to trend for snackable formats and catering.

Burger trends are being shaped by cultural diversity, dietary preferences, and online buzz. According to Tastewise, while burger conversations declined in volume, interest in specific formats like Chicken burger trends and Veggie burger trends is spiking.

• Veggie burger trends show mushroom and jackfruit patties growing fast, especially in social recipes.
• Chicken burger trends lean toward spicy, crispy, and clean-label, boosted by TikTok virality.
• Hamburger bun trends now include pretzel rolls, brioche, and lettuce wraps, reflecting evolving health and flavor preferences.

These burger trends highlight a shift toward indulgent experiences paired with mindful ingredients.

While burgers hold a strong cultural spot, sandwiches are showing steadier growth. Tastewise data notes over 8.9 million sandwich dishes tracked in 2025 alone, with increasing social engagement. 

Not all sandwiches are holding steady in 2025. Tastewise data reveals clear shifts in how consumers talk about, and eat, different sandwich types, with performance varying by occasion and even daypart. Breakfast sandwich mentions are down -12.10%, though 8.35% of restaurants still carry them. The fastest-growing consumer need? Protein. Meanwhile, Chicken sandwich trends show a -6.21% decline in buzz, but they remain widely available on 27.99% of menus. These sandwiches are being reframed as snacks, not just meals.

Club sandwich trends are up 14.13% in conversations, driven by snack-seeking behavior. Despite being on only 3.53% of menus, demand is growing fast. Ham sandwich mentions have risen 5.72%, proving there’s still interest in timeless formats. On 5.50% of menus, they’re increasingly linked to snacking moments. The takeaway? Sandwich trends are moving toward more snackable, flexible formats, offering fresh angles for product innovation.

AI-fueled innovation transforms burgers and sandwiches into gourmet hits

Burgers and sandwiches are getting a high-tech makeover. With AI-powered recipe creation, food brands can tap into what consumers actually crave, fast. From the rich, savory Gourmet Swiss Mushroom Burger to the tangy, layered Provolone and Pickle Deli Sandwich, innovation is no longer trial and error. Tastewise AI delivers the data-backed ideas that drive menu success. Stay ahead of the curve and make your next launch land with precision.

Sales and consumption: who’s eating what?

Burgers dominate the American food scene, with about 50 billion consumed annually, translating to 2.4 burgers per person each day (USDA, Empower). They represent 13.5% of all restaurant orders, or 7 billion servings per year, despite a slight dip in burger chain visits in late 2024 (HospitalityTech, Earnest Analytics). The average cheeseburger price surged 20% from 2019 to 2023, influenced by both demand and inflation (ToastTab). The packaged burger market, now valued at $3.8 billion, is expected to grow at a 7.4% CAGR through 2033, driven by convenience and plant-based innovation (IMARC).

Sandwiches hold strong alongside burgers. Chicken sandwiches now make up 6.7% of all restaurant orders, with 3.5 billion annual servings, especially popular in quick service settings (HospitalityTech). About 21.4% of Americans consume beef sandwiches on any given day, making them a major source of daily nutrients (PMC). Together, burgers and sandwiches form the core of U.S. food consumption across both foodservice and retail channels, each evolving with trends like snacking and premium builds.

Popularity and audience

• Burgers: Strong among Gen Z and Millennials for social sharing, indulgence, and delivery apps.
  
• Sandwiches: Loved across all demos. Versatile for parents, professionals, and anyone looking for a quick bite that still feels “crafted”.

Which is better?

That depends on what you’re trying to do. Burger trends lean toward craveable, attention-grabbing innovation, ideal for spotlight moments. Sandwiches, on the other hand, deliver consistent engagement and audience breadth.

FAQs

Why is a burger not called a sandwich?

Technically, it fits the definition: food between bread. But culturally, burgers have their own identity due to the patty and bun setup.

Do Americans call burgers sandwiches?

Rarely. Even though they fit the bill, most menus and consumers treat burgers as their own category.

Conclusion

In the Burger vs Sandwich question, both win, just in different ways. Burger trends highlight bold experiences, while sandwich trends showcase everyday flexibility. The real win? Using Tastewise to stay ahead of what’s next, whether that’s perfecting your next Veggie burger trend product or riding the rise of club sandwich trends at retail.