Explore the Plant-Forward Opportunity in 2025

The 2025 Datassential Plant-Forward Opportunity Report – produced in partnership with The Culinary Institute of America, Food for Climate League, and the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative – offers foodservice operators powerful insights into the evolving world of plant-forward dining.
Each year, this report explores how consumers think about, interact with, and make decisions around plant-based and plant-forward meals. This year’s report also shines a special spotlight on one of the most talked-about nutritional topics today: protein.

Protein has taken center stage across social media, grocery shelves, and restaurant menus. But how is this cultural buzz influencing real consumer behavior? We unpack:

• What types of protein – animal or plant-based – are consumers actually eating?
• Which sources are viewed as high-quality or “complete”?
• How well do consumer perceptions align with nutritional science?
• And most importantly, how does protein affect restaurant ordering decisions?

Whether you’re designing menus, marketing to health-conscious diners, or looking to reduce your operation’s reliance on animal products, this report delivers actionable strategies rooted in consumer data.

Ready to reshape what plant-forward means for your business?
Fill out the form at the right to access the full report and unlock new opportunities to make plant-forward foods more approachable, satisfying, and successful, both on the menu and on the bottom line.

What’s inside?

• Meat reduction is real: Nearly 1 in 4 consumers are limiting meat in 2025, led by women and Boomers
• Millennials and Gen Z are persuadable skeptics: They voice the most concerns but are also the most open to being won over with the right dish or the right message
• Comfort and craveability count: Familiar dishes and great flavor can often be the gateway to plant-forward dining
• Whole foods win trust: Consumers prefer nuts, legumes, and grains over highly processed plant-based meat alternatives
• Value is king: Price sensitivity is high in 2025, and a solid value strategy can make plant-forward dishes feel “worth it” on all levels