Return to offices and on-the-go needs have helped bolster foodservice breakfast/brunch post-pandemic, but today's economically cautious consumer keeps value and convenience at the center of decision-making. Economic headwinds (inflation, ingredient…
US
Foodservice
simple
US Restaurant Breakfast and Brunch Trends Report 2025
"Foodservice breakfast/brunch operators must be agile to capture the routine-driven demand for convenience and reliability along with experience-driven visits."
The return to offices and on-the-go needs have bolstered foodservice breakfast and brunch post-pandemic, but economically cautious consumers now prioritize value and convenience in their decision-making. Economic challenges, such as inflation and ingredient price fluctuations, are driving operators to adopt agile menu offerings and bundled deals.
The breakfast and brunch daypart is being reshaped by two forces: routine reliability for weekday, on-the-go occasions, and experience-driven, social visits that encourage indulgence.
Everyday convenience occasions are pushing c-stores to sharpen their competitive edge and traditional chains to modernize through rebranding, digital investments, and off-premise capabilities.
The boundaries between meals and snacks are blurring, creating opportunities for breakfast solutions that extend beyond morning hours, pair with beverages, and offer portability and snackability.
Breakfast and brunch menus are evolving to balance health-focused (BFY) options with indulgent “treat yourself” moments, allowing operators to cater to a wider range of dynamic consumer occasions.
This Report Looks at the Following Areas:
The foodservice breakfast/brunch consumer
Breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, motivators and deterrents
Interest in breakfast/brunch menu options at foodservice locations
Healthy breakfast/brunch perceptions and attributes sought
Interest in breakfast/brunch value/promotion concepts and concerns around foodservice value
Innovation and marketing highlights: rebranding, menu innovation, marketing creativity
Exploration and value a finer line at breakfast/brunch
Baby Boomers seek out new locations, familiar menu options
Graph 8: foodservice breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, by generation, 2025
In-person workers seek a balance of convenience, quality and exploration
Graph 9: foodservice breakfast/brunch ordering behaviors, by employment status, 2025
Breakfast/brunch foodservice ordering motivators
Design foodservice breakfast/brunch for dual need states
Graph 10: reasons for ordering (dine-in, takeout or delivery) breakfast/brunch from foodservice locations, 2025
IHOP leans into breakfast and brunch as a treat on an LTO basis
Indulgence and tradition can pair up for inclusive treat yourself positioning
Graph 11: reasons for ordering breakfast/brunch from a foodservice location, by generation, 2025
Breakfast can carve out white spaces, dependent on working status
Graph 12: reasons for ordering breakfast/brunch from a foodservice location, by employment status, 2025
Breakfast/brunch foodservice ordering deterrents
Gain an understanding of at home breakfast/brunch’s value proposition to sharpen away from home differentiation
Graph 13: deterrents to ordering breakfast/brunch from a foodservice location, 2025
Craft tiered experiences for younger generations’ varied needs
Graph 14: deterrents to ordering breakfast/brunch from a foodservice location, 2025
Interest in breakfast/brunch menu options at foodservice locations
Embrace menu diversity and agile innovation to meet personal breakfast/brunch preferences
Graph 15: interest in breakfast/brunch-related options on foodservice menus, 2025
Younger generations seek a more fluid approach to breakfast
Graph 16: interest in breakfast/brunch-related foodservice options, by generation, 2025
Operators embrace beverage creativity as core to menus
Healthy breakfast/brunch attitudes and attributes sought
What consumers are saying about healthy foodservice breakfast/brunch options:
Fiber approaches protein as top healthy breakfast/brunch priority
Graph 17: healthy attributes sought in breakfast or brunch items, 2025
From targeted solutions…
…to BFY options that are holistically rounded out
Interest in breakfast/brunch value/promotion concepts and concerns around FS value
Concerns around prices shaking up breakfast routines span across financial situations: how can operators react?
Graph 18: concerns around rising prices impacting breakfast routines – strongly agree, by financial situation
Graph 19: types of promotions that would motivate consumers to order breakfast/brunch from a restaurant, 2025
Promote with a purpose to meet generations where they’re at
Graph 20: types of promotions that would motivate consumers to order breakfast/brunch from a restaurant, by generation, 2025
MARKET HIGHLIGHTS
Innovation and marketing
Chicken proves affordable, craveable breakfast/brunch protein solution
Perkins embraces familiar ingredients in new formats
Breakfast appetizers can reframe sides into sharables and small plates
Bojangles gets points for promotional creativity tied to flavor enthusiasm
APPENDIX
Consumer research questions
Foodservice breakfast and brunch attitudes
Graph 21: breakfast/brunch attitudes, 2025
Consumer research methodology
Generations
Abbreviations and terms
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