Are you ready for another crazy year in fast food?
2025 has just started, but we’re already seeing a lot of menu releases and crazy fast food deals. We already had Valentine’s Day deals, heart-shaped pizzas, Super Bowl group deals, and refreshing drink lineups for Spring. But if you think fast food has reached its peak, think again. 2025 is another year when fast food will continue to do its magic, so let’s deep dive into how your favorite fast food will keep you coming back for more.
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10. Fast Food Secret Menu Hacks
Fast food restaurants have slowly incorporated top customer-created menu hacks into their menu. From In-N-Out having a “Not So Secret Menu” lineup to KFC’s “Double Down” occasional release, we’re slowly seeing the menu hacks being recognized and coming to life as part of the permanent menu or as a seasonal item. This 2025, we can’t wait to see more fast food menu hacks, particularly spicy food items and drink combinations be promoted to permanent fast food menus, evergreen and never leaving.
9. Plant-Based “Healthy” Fast Food 2.0
You might’ve tried McDonald’s “McPlant Burger,” Burger King’s “Impossible Whopper,” or other fast food chain’s plant-based burgers, which marked a milestone in the whole fast food industry. Who would’ve thought creating America’s favorite comfort food with plant-based meat was possible? With 2025 locking in, it might be fair to expect another level of plant-based trend, with a possibility of lab-grown meat or even plant-based nuggets.
8. Fast Food Fine Dining
On Valentine’s Day, White Castle’s “Love Castle” and Red Robin’s “Onion Ring Proposal” transformed fast food’s essence from speed and convenience to a new dining experience. This trend combines fast food’s efficient service with a special menu and an upscale food experience that can give fine dining restaurants a run for their money. This 2025, expect a rise in fast food chains joining the fine dining trend, especially during important occasions like Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and even 4th of July Celebrations.
7. Fast Food & Pop Culture Collaborations
Remember when Dunkin’ and Sabrina Carpenter collaborated on Shakin’ Espresso last December 2024? Or when Burger King released the Addam’s Family Menu last Halloween? If you remember these iconic releases, then you’ll know that fast food is expanding its horizon. This 2025, we’re keeping the doors open for more pop culture collaborations, especially with the rise in more superhero and sci-fi movies, online streaming services’ hit series, and the expansion of artist collaborations. We may even get a Squid Game-themed fast food meal soon. Let’s hope for the best.
6. Seasonal Menu Releases
From seasonal fast food deals, the food arena has also expanded into offering seasonal menu lineups. From the iconic Starbucks Fall Menu featuring Pumpkin Spice Latte to tropical-flavored drinks and desserts released during Summer, we’re seeing a growth in how fast food chains incorporate seasons and customer cravings into their menu lineups. This 2025, McDonald’s has started the trend by releasing the Shamrock Shake and Shamrock McFlurry to welcome St. Patrick’s Day, but we’re also open to more seasonal releases, especially to the idea of Cherry Blossom-inspired beverages or desserts for Spring, Fourth of July-themed donuts, or maybe even dark-themed burger buns thanks to activated charcoal.
5. Fusion of Global Flavors
America’s fast food game is no longer about burgers and fries; the fast food kitchen has also opened its doors to global flavors, cooking techniques, and unique spices. We’re seeing a rise in Mexican flavors, like Taco Bell’s Birria Quesadilla, and more spicy food items, like Wendy’s Ghost Pepper Ranch Chicken Sandwich & Fries. This 2025, we can see more Korean-flavored menu items like KFC’s recent release of the Korean BBQ Loaded Fries Bowl and Korean BBQ Mac & Cheese Bowl, expanding the traditional but tasty Korean-flavored chicken wings. Also, Southeast Asian Flavors like the Philippine’s purple yam (ube) is a promising trend, which started with Jack in the Box’s Witch Please Shake and TOUS les JOURS’ Ube Latte.
4. Nostalgia-Driven Fast Food
Nothing beats the good old days. In this era of new flavors, some fast food chains still look back on their roots and bring back the most loved menu items. Wendy’s brought back childhood nostalgia with their Orange Dreamsicle Frosty, and Taco Bell brought not one, not two, but five of their best-sellers throughout the years with their Decades Menu Lineup. This 2025, we can expect a lot of “throwback” fast food releases, like the upcoming drop of McDonald’s Snack Wraps, and some fast food mascot-themed ads like Uncle O’Grimacey’s reappearance for Shamrock Shake from McDonald’s.
3. The Rise of “Swicy” and Heat-Boosted Fast Food
Watch out as more fast food chains turn up the heat with “swicy” flavored food items – this features a blend of sweet and spicy flavors that have taken over fast food menus. McDonald’s had their Spicy McNuggets, Chick-fil-A had its own Honey Pepper Pimento Chicken Sandwich, and Wingstop now offers its Sweet Chili Glaze Wings. With the rise of “swicy” trend, we can expect more Hot Honey flavors coming in, especially in burgers, chicken wings, and more in pizzas! Plus, we’re not saying it could be a reality, but who knows, dessets can also hop into the “swicy” flavor trend.
2. Functional & Mood-Boosting Fast Food Items
More than flavorful menu releases, functional food items are also taking center stage in most fast food chains. These “healthy” fast food are made to boost energy, enhance focus, and improve mood. Smoothie King released Coconut Bowls last year, along with Playa Bowl’s healthy Winter Menu. This 2025, the fast food industry welcomes more functional releases, starting with Scooter’s Coffee’s Spring Menu, which includes a Strawberry Red Bull infusion, and Starbucks’ rumored Spring Menu with Iced Energy Drinks.
1. Drinks-Only Fast Food Locations
Fast food is more delicious when paired with fountain drinks, ice-cold beverages, and even sweet desserts. But with the dawn of food and drink customization, there has also been a rise in drinks-only fast food locations. We started with SONIC Drive-In, which nails their “Drink Stop” concept, and just recently, the biggest fast food player. McDonald’s, has also launched CosMc’s, another drinks-first concept, which only offers flavored beverages, coffee, and signature drink boosts. This 2025, we can’t wait to explore more drinks-only fast food locations, answering our thirst for convenient, customizable, but delicious drinks we can grab on the go. Fast food is no longer limited to burger, fries, pizza, and fried chicken. It has evolved into an experience that exceeds our expectations every year. This 2025, we’re keeping the doors open to more fast food flavors, collaborations and menu releases. Anything is possible.
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