Key Food Business Industry Trends to Follow in 2025

Food is the most delicious and satisfying need of humans. Great businesses thrive on capitalising on the cravings of food lovers who love dining out. Several small and big brands serve gastronomic delights from across the country and overseas to cater to their taste buds and earn significantly. There are 31,790 licensed food ventures operating in the state of Queensland alone. The combined revenue generated from the food and agribusiness industries contributes $16.8 billion to the state’s economy.

The food business sector is highly diversified encompassing retail, hospitality, food processing, beverage manufacturing, transportation and distribution and health and community services. Food entrepreneurs operate in a highly competitive environment, including various players, such as food trucks, restaurants, cafes, farmer’s markets, confectioneries and ready-to-eat meals. Thus, they must build their uniqueness by adopting the latest innovations to exceed customers' expectations. Here are the key food business industry trends that must be followed in 2025 to stay ahead of the competitors.

1. Rise of Cloud Kitchens

Cloud kitchens are modern food preparation and delivery businesses that operate virtually. They are also known as ghost kitchens because they do not have a physical storefront or dine-in area. These kitchens prepare food only for deliveries, allowing them to operate from home or any small kitchen, which is cost-effective and highly rewarding. The cloud kitchens use online food delivery apps like DoorDash, Menulog, Uber Eats and Deliveroo to receive orders and deliver food.

Some restaurants also lease their kitchen space to third parties to run cloud kitchens, or they can use food delivery apps themselves to expand their reach. This reduces the cost of servicing customers inside the restaurant, which requires manual labour and more leased space. Thus, many passionate individuals looking for a food business for sale in Brisbane consider owning a cloud kitchen.

2. Contactless Ordering and Customisation

Restaurateurs introduced contactless ordering after the pandemic when social distancing was mandatory. It involves downloading a restaurant's mobile application to place an order or scanning a QR code to browse the menu and complete the transaction online. These apps allow customers to customise their orders according to their taste preferences, increasing satisfaction levels and engagement.

Food business owners can use the purchase data history collected through the app to identify individual choices and provide appropriate recommendations. Hyper-personalisation aids in increasing customer loyalty because customers feel valued and recognised. These customers can easily turn into brand advocates and bring more customers through word-of-mouth publicity.

3. Food Waste Management

Food waste is a big problem for businesses in the industry because it adds a burden to landfills and creates pollution due to greenhouse gas emissions. A lot of this waste comes from leftovers in restaurants, spoiled and expired food in storage, and food peels and scraps. However, things are changing as businesses are embracing sustainability and eco-consciousness.

Food waste management will be integral to businesses in the future because it improves inventory management and protects the environment. Individuals looking for a food business for sale Brisbane must embrace the circular economy principles to reduce waste. They can implement packing leftover food, stocking as per demand, donating extra food and conducting audits to reduce waste.

4. Introduction of Robotics

Robotics has already penetrated manufacturing in various industries to reduce manual labour and increase efficiency. It is now becoming a part of the food industry, with robotic chefs and waiters to maintain staff requirements during peak hours and when staff is scarce. A few restaurants have already started using robots to serve food and clear plates from tables.

These robots can complete 10-hour shifts and reduce the manual labour involved in serving customers. The restaurant industry has been facing a staff shortage after the pandemic, and employee turnover is quite high. Many workers quit due to the stressful working conditions in the kitchen and on the floor. Thus, robotics helps solve the problem.

5. Use of Tech for Food Safety

Perishable food items can quickly get spoiled and cause losses for the business. In addition, storing food at inappropriate temperatures or in unhygienic conditions can lead to infections and diseases. Since food businesses have to follow strict food safety regulations, they must rely on tech to ensure optimum hygiene and storage. The Internet of Things (IoT) can be used to track the temperature and humidity of freezers and refrigerators.

In addition, blockchain technology can be used to identify the origins of food ingredients and how they are transported and prepared for consumption. This increases transparency and makes customers trust the brand. Aspiring food entrepreneurs looking for businesses for sale in Brisbane must adopt these technologies to build a solid customer base.

6. AI for Improved Customer Service

Artificial intelligence is one of the best technologies for improving customer service, which is a must for food businesses. They can install AI-enabled chatbots on their websites to answer customer queries and handle orders during rush hours. This reduces dependency on support staff and increases the rate of customer response.

Predictive analysis can help business owners manage optimum inventory by predicting the volume of sales and the requirement of ingredients and raw materials. AI can also help optimise the menu by analysing customer preferences and tracking trends. AI allows food entrepreneurs to reduce overheads, improve productivity, reduce food waste, and enhance customer satisfaction levels.

7. Demand for Plant-Based Protein

Veganism is not a passing fad. Many people are making a conscious decision to switch to plant-based meat to reduce their impact on the environment. The consumption of plant-based protein rose by 28% from 2020 to 2023. It is a healthier and environmentally friendly option. This niche segment has created agrifood opportunities for entrepreneurs, and the rising number of health-conscious Australians is propelling its growth.

The government is also supporting businesses involved in the manufacturing and sale of plant-based protein. It has been predicted that spending in this segment will reach $1.6 billion by 2033. Thus, driven individuals looking for business opportunities in Brisbane can leverage this trend to grow quickly in the cluttered industry with a niche offering.

Wrapping Up

The food industry is evolving fast and using the latest technology to create innovative solutions that allow businesses to serve customers effectively. All small, medium and big businesses can take advantage of the trends mentioned above to grow successfully.