Sandwich Trends Around the World: Global Favorites of 2025

In the pantheon of global favorite foods, few deliver the versatility and customizability of a good, old-fashioned sandwich. In 2025, however, brands are taking their sandwich offerings to the next level in order to meet the evolving needs and palates of consumers around the world. 

Want deeper insight into what’s shaping food and beverage innovation in the year ahead?

Top 10 trending sandwiches of 2025

While many of us think of sandwiches as being simple and straightforward, 2025 is all about putting a fresh spin on this worldwide favorite food. In fact, Tastewise data reveals that the recent push for new and innovative twists on sandwiches is contributing to nearly 15% YoY growth in social media conversations about sandwiches. 

In order to keep up with renewed consumer demand for sandwiches and related products, many restaurants and CPG brands are rolling out new sandwich offerings that capitalize on recognized food and sandwich trends. Here are 10 of the most talked-about sandwiches so far this year:

• The club sandwich: This long-recognized sandwich staple continues to hold strong as one of the most popular sandwich variations among consumers of all ages. Club sandwich trends tend to embrace a “more is more” spirit, offering a robust and dynamic meal option that will tickle anyone’s tastebuds.  
• Breakfast sandwiches: With more and more global citizens embracing on-the-go lifestyles, compact and flavorful breakfast sandwiches are becoming a morning staple that can easily be customized to suit different dietary needs and preferences. 
• Sub sandwiches: Submarine sandwiches – more commonly referred to as “subs” – are a great grab-and-go option for foodies craving a balanced and customizable lunch. Most submarine sandwich trends highlight a variety of cold cuts, cheeses, dressings and other toppings that make it easy for consumers to get exactly what they want out of their daily nosh.
• Reubens: 2025’s Reuben sandwich trends  emphasize high-quality meats, handmade rye breads and fun twists on classic sauerkraut toppings. 
• Chopped sandwiches: 2025 saw the rise of “Bodega Tok,” where corner bodegas in major cities strutted their singular sandwich styles. Chopped sandwich trends like the chopped cheese have long been considered a city-slicker staple but have become more widespread thanks to ample viral video content. 
• Wraps: As customers become more health conscious, many alternatives have emerged to replace traditional sandwich bread. Wraps are one popular swap because they can be made from a variety of different ingredients and easily customized to suit keto diets, gluten-free diets and other low-carb lifestyles. 
• Chicken parm sandwiches: In 2025, a growing number of restaurants added fun twists on chicken parm subs to their menus. By swapping out traditional marinara sauce for other exciting options like spicy vodka sauce, food purveyors managed to grab the attention of young and adventurous diners and traditional chicken-parm-lovers alike.
• Tuna sandwiches: Tuna sandwich trends – timeless as they may be – gained even more momentum in 2025 thanks to global tinned fish trends. Tuna sandwiches can be prepared on a variety of different breads and incorporate premium add-ons like pickled veggies, high-quality olive oil and other flavor enhancers and seasonings. 
• Open-face sandwiches: In our health-conscious and aesthetically driven culture, open-face sandwich trends offer the ideal combination of Instagrammability and carb-friendliness.
• Vegan grilled cheese: According to data from Tastewise, vegan sandwiches are the most commonly-sought dietary adaptation for sandwiches. Vegan grilled cheese sandwiches maximize on this trend and deliver a tasty and nostalgic meal option for consumers trying to steer clear of dairy products. 

All of these trends combined clearly demonstrate the widespread, international appeal of sandwiches. Thanks to their relative ease of production, variability in construction and overall customizability, sandwiches are often a go-to meal option for consumers around the world. 

Emerging sandwich trends around the world

Across the board, 2025 is all about taking food to the next level, and sandwiches are no exception. Globally, we are seeing exciting fusion flavors that feature bold combinations of popular ingredients from multiple cultures. For example, ingredients like bulgogi, guacamole,  Italian sausage and southern fried chicken are showing up on menus around the world and being integrated into a wide variety of dishes. 

We are also seeing a global shift towards premiumization, with many restaurants and CPG brands expanding their luxury sandwich offerings. High-end cheeses, aged meats, truffle oil, fresh-baked sourdough and other premium ingredients are helping put an elevated spin on what many have historically considered a pedestrian menu option. 

Additionally, health food trends are making serious headway across the food and beverage industry, and sandwich trends are not immune to this shift. In fact, many consumers find that sandwiches offer an affordable and easy way for them to enjoy a filling meal without compromising on their health goals. With global sandwich brands offering healthier bread swaps, farm-fresh toppings and protein rich add-ons, it’s never been easier for global consumers to fuel up and stay on track. 

Sandwich sales and consumption data 

Recent consumer data cements what we already suspected: Sandwiches are here to stay. Here’s a brief overview of some of the sandwich sales and consumption data driving this dynamic market: 

• The global sandwich market was valued at $428.15 billion in 2024
• Roughly 44% of U.S. restaurants have sandwiches on their menus 
• On any given day, roughly 47% of U.S. adults will eat a sandwich 
• Nearly half of all sandwiches consumed each day are eaten at lunch time 
• Tastewise data reveals that chicken is one of the most in-demand sandwich ingredients
• The global pre-packaged sandwich market was valued at $1.74 billion in 2023 and is expected to continue to grow over the next five years

These data points reflect consistent consumer confidence in sandwiches as a tasty and convenient meal option. In order to capitalize on this popularity, however, restaurants and packaged food brands will need to keep a finger on the pulse of broader food market trends in order to adjust their offerings to respond to consumer demand. 

What is the 2026 outlook for sandwiches?

As we inch closer to 2026, the sandwich landscape is expected to lean further into customization, sustainability, and function. This might look like expanded plant-based variations and protein-enhanced sandwich additions. We may also see artisan breads making waves both online and in-person in response to growing demand for luxury ingredients. Across the board, the nuanced intersections between global food trends and localized consumer data will continue to yield exciting innovations in the sandwich space and encourage brands to think outside the box in the years ahead.

Final thoughts

From viral chopped creations to globally-inspired flavor profiles, sandwiches have proven to be an endlessly adaptable vehicle for a wide variety of global food trends.  consumer tastes. The staying power of the sandwich sector speaks to universal interest in culinary products and experiences that balance comfort and nostalgia with innovation and elevation. For global food and beverage brands, tapping into international sandwich trends means embracing flexibility, centering variety and cultivating a responsive understanding of what motivates consumers to return for another bite of their favorite creations.