2025 Plant-Forward Opportunity Report

The 2025 annual research report—compiled by The Culinary Institute of America, Datassential, Food for Climate League, and the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative—uncovers a wide range of actionable insights for foodservice operators. This year’s report also provides a cutting-edge menu concept test. Among the latest findings:

• Comfort meets climate: Familiar favorites are the gateway to plant-forward dining.

• Millennials and Gen Z diners express the most reservations about ordering plant-based foods at restaurants, yet they are also the most open to being convinced—and flavor, price, and presentation are factors that can flip the script.

• Consumers overwhelmingly trust whole foods—nuts, legumes, and grains—over processed plant-based meat alternatives.

• In 2025, nearly a quarter of the general population is actively limiting meat in their diet. Women, Boomers, and lower- to medium-income consumers are leading the charge.