Order Up! The QSR Trends Driving Consumer Decisions in 2025

By 2028, the market size of global fast food and quick service restaurants (QSR) is expected to reach $370B – a whopping increase of 40% from 2022. ¹ To better understand the major trends shaping food purchases in 2025, Snapchat partnered with Publicis Media and NRG to conduct a global research study where we surveyed 3,115 fast food consumers (13-60 YO) across 5 markets (US, UK, CA, KSA, FR). We found that brands can leverage AI, mobile delivery, visual search, and creators to turn cravings into instant purchases.

Trend #1: AI & mobile delivery is the secret sauce for seamless ordering

New technologies like AI and mobile delivery have made learning about, evaluating, and ordering food online instant, secure, and convenient. In fact, 73% of consumers agree that AI makes it easier to search for and discover new and interesting places to eat. Adoption of this technology also is fueled by personalization, with 70% agreeing AI is “more accurately learning my tastes and preferences for food/drink.”

In particular, AI-powered features on mobile food delivery apps are also getting better at recommending specific dishes, significantly boosting the efficiency and speed of QSR delivery. 79% like when mobile delivery apps suggest other items they want added to their order, and 79% often learn about new QSRs through the “what other people bought” or “featured theme” pages.

💡 Brand Tip: Brands can leverage AI to become trusted food guides by offering highly personalized recommendations and streamlining the ordering process.

Trend #2: Social platforms are the new digital drive-thru window

Whether they’re deciding on what to eat or keeping up with the latest food trends, many consumers use social to start their food purchase journey because all the info is already at their fingertips. In fact, 76% agree seeing tasty-looking items on social media prompts them to order food. Snapchatters in particular are 2.7x more likely to make QSR-related purchases by using links provided by a brand on social.

Brand Tip: Brands should engage with foodies on social at every stage of the purchase journey, from awareness to post-purchase.

Trend #3: Friends and family drive QSR purchase decisions

With social platforms igniting the purchase journey, friends and family have become key influencers in QSR discovery and recommendations. In fact, 70% said they often try QSR items they see their friends sharing on social platforms, and 66% said they rarely try new restaurants or food without getting advice from friends and family. More importantly, friends and family directly drive orders, with 81% recommending QSRs to friends and family after their own order experiences.

Brand Tip: Brands can join the conversation on platforms like Snapchat where friends and family discuss restaurant and food recommendations.

Trend #4: Creators amplify brand trust and credibility

Consumers, especially Snapchatters, increasingly rely on creators as their food guides, viewing them as authorities on both cuisine and culture. 70% consider food creator recommendations on social media as just as trustworthy as friends and family, and Snapchatters are 1.5x more likely to follow creators specifically for their food/drink reviews and recommendations.

Foodies crave information and content from creators — from discounts and rewards to testimonial reviews, food vlogs, and QSR cooking recipes. By partnering with creators, brands are also more likely to be perceived as socially relevant (71%) and part of consumers’ circles (68%).

Brand Tip: Brands can co-create authentic content with creators to inspire consumers on where to eat next. Check out some of the way brands can tap into creators on Snapchat.

Takeaway for marketers

New technologies and the evolution of social platforms have transformed how consumers order food. To stand out, brands need to invest in AI to make ordering easy, provide tailored recommendations, and facilitate impulse orders. And to build trust, brands need to show up where consumers are already spending their time — on social platforms. From there, brands can promote content that sparks conversations between friends and family about ordering decisions and team up with creators to inspire new restaurants and food to try.

Learn more about QSR success stories on Snapchat.