Latest trends in the UK food and beverage services industry for 2025

The UK’s food and beverage (F&B) industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation. Estimated at $149.18 billion in 2023, the sector is on course to cross the $466 billion mark by 2032 - an impressive CAGR of 12.6%. 

Consumer behaviour, technology, and global influences are reshaping business operations. Payment processing plays a vital role in creating a smooth customer experience and is evolving to meet the needs of today's consumers, with innovations like instant payments and mobile POS systems. 

Let’s explore trends shaping the F&B industry and discover how payment solutions are connected to these developments.

What are the latest consumer trends in the F&B industry?

Technology, including a paradigm lifestyle transformation in the post-COVID era, and ever-growing consumerism are radically altering customer preferences. The food and beverage industry is experiencing similar behavioural changes.

The new core value—sustainability

Sustainability has transitioned from a niche concern to a widely recognised expectation. Consumers seek to understand the origins of their food and its effects on the environment.

This has increased farm-to-table dining experiences, the adoption of eco-friendly packaging, and efforts to minimise food waste. Establishments that implement sustainable practices frequently highlight transparency and engage with environmentally aware patrons on a more profound level.

Payment systems contribute to enhancing this transparency. Restaurants implement digital solutions such as mobile POS systems to provide customers with a clear breakdown of their charges, including eco-friendly surcharges or carbon offset programs. Furthermore, QR code payments enable diners to directly support sustainability initiatives, including tree planting or financing local farms, during the payment process.

An important focus - health and wellness

Consumers are prioritising their health through plant-based meals and functional foods enriched with probiotics. Restaurants and retailers are adapting with creative menus that address dietary restrictions and wellness objectives. The emergence of salad bars, smoothie shops, and health-focused delivery services highlights this trend distinctly.

Health-oriented businesses use instant payment systems to ensure seamless transactions in busy settings, like juice bars, food trucks or takeaway counters. Payment links for delivery services allow customers to pay swiftly and securely for their online orders, ensuring that convenience complements their wellness-focused lifestyles.

Redefining dining - digital meals

These days, it's common practice to place orders and reservations online. In every transaction, from ordering takeout to reserving a restaurant table, customers prefer a seamless experience. From the moment of discovery to the final payment, diners anticipate that technology will be there to help.

Payment advancements are a perfect match with digital dining. Whether they're dining in or ordering to go, customers can always expect a speedy checkout thanks to retail POS systems that are easily integrated with popular applications and websites. Restaurants may attract tech-savvy consumers who value convenience and security by taking QR codes as a payment method.

What are the new food trends that should be explored for 2025?

Functional and adaptogenic food

Consumers prefer foods and beverages that provide a function beyond basic sustenance. Adaptogenic substances, such as ashwagandha and ginseng, which have been shown to reduce stress, are becoming more popular in teas, smoothies, and snacks. Similarly, fermented foods such as kombucha and kimchi are popular for their gut health benefits.

To handle high client turnover, specialised cafes and restaurants need flexible payment methods. Mobile POS systems allow personnel to accept payments anywhere in the store, speeding up service during peak hours. Adaptogenic meal subscription companies can also employ payment links for recurring invoicing, streamlining the procedure for wellness product users.

The world on a platter

Diners are discovering a variety of flavours from around the globe, including Korean BBQ, Middle Eastern mezze, and South American ceviche. The quest for genuine experiences is prompting restaurants to seek out distinctive ingredients and recreate time-honoured recipes.

Customers are willing to pay more for authenticity. Restaurants quickly process bills with instant payments. QR code payments are handy and portable for pop-ups and culinary festivals where foreign cuisines are served to varied groups.

Subscription-based dining

Subscription models are gaining traction in the food and beverage sector, enabling customers to prepay for consistent meal plans or tasting experiences. These models generate a consistent revenue stream for businesses, simultaneously providing customers with a reliable and tailored dining experience.

In subscription dining, solutions such as payment links facilitate a seamless sign-up and payment process for customers, frequently incorporating automated recurring payments. This improves customer retention while simultaneously lowering administrative overhead for businesses.

What are the future trends in the food services industry?

Kitchen automation

Kitchens are increasingly incorporating automation, as robots are now responsible for repetitive duties such as chopping, flipping burgers, and plating dishes. This trend guarantees consistency, minimises labour expenses, and expedites service delivery.

Payment processing is also included in automated systems. Self-service kiosks that are equipped with retail POS systems enable customers to autonomously place orders and pay, which is consistent with the efficient design of automated kitchens.

Data-driven hyper-personalisation

AI-led analytics are taking customisation to the next level. AI can recommend menu items tailored to a customer's previous orders, enhancing the overall dining experience.

This degree of customisation applies to payment methods. Providing a variety of payment options, including mobile POS systems and instant payments, allows customers to select the method that aligns with their preferences, thereby improving overall satisfaction.

Cashless dining

The movement towards cashless transactions is increasingly gaining traction, particularly in metropolitan regions. Patrons are favouring the ease and security of card and digital transactions, rendering cashless operations a sensible option for numerous establishments.

Restaurants embracing cashless models depend on sophisticated payment processing systems that seamlessly incorporate contactless cards, digital wallets, and cryptocurrencies. This adaptability aligns with customer expectations and safeguards enterprises against evolving payment preferences.

What are the trends in the beverage industry for 2025?

With the food segment experiencing radical shifts, the beverage segment is also seeing new trends that are in sync with altering consumer behaviour. 

No and low-alcoholic beverages

Health-conscious customers are driving demand for low-ABV beers, non-alcoholic cocktails, and functional beverages, including kombucha. Bars and restaurants are changing their menus to feature these substitutes.

Higher margins on speciality beverages force bars to track sales and control inventory using effective retail point-of-sale systems. Instant payment solutions assure quick service during busy periods, lowering consumer wait times for those looking at creative drink choices.

Local over global

Artisanal beverages that utilise regionally sourced components are experiencing a rise in popularity. Consumers appreciate the narrative that accompanies their beverages, ranging from handcrafted mixers to cocktails inspired by specific regions.

Small producers and independent bars frequently employ mobile POS systems for pop-up events, where flexibility and ease of use are paramount. This methodology bolsters the local economy while providing consumers with the ease of cashless transactions.

Why is social media marketing important for restaurants?

The rapidly growing user base of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (now X), TikTok, and other social platforms has created whole new media vehicles that organisations across industries can’t afford to ignore. The F&B sector is also experiencing the long-term and measurable benefits of social media marketing.

The visual appeal

Restaurants depend on the aesthetic charm of their dishes to draw in customers, and social media serves as an ideal platform for this purpose. Platforms such as Instagram are designed to highlight elegantly arranged dishes, inviting interiors, and delectable desserts. Exceptional photos and videos have the power to transform casual viewers into loyal customers.

Social media posts frequently guide users to websites or mobile applications to make reservations or place orders. Instant payment systems here guarantee a seamless transition from browsing to buying. A post showcasing a limited-time dish can incorporate a payment link in the bio or story, prompting customers to finalise their order right away.

Community building

A two-way conversation between eateries and their customers can flourish in the age of social media. Creating a sense of belonging requires engaging material like chef interviews, behind-the-scenes films, or posts made by users. Responding to feedback and holding contests regularly helps clients feel valued.

Many brick-and-mortar and online businesses have found success by establishing a robust social media presence. Fast food joints that have mobile point-of-sale systems in place may easily manage their surge in customers and provide an enjoyable dining experience befitting their captivating online reputation.

The power of words

Social media is digital word-of-mouth. Positive reviews, shared posts, and influencer collaborations spread a restaurant's reach. Unique dish or challenge viral campaigns can attract national or worldwide attention.

When viral campaigns increase traffic, eateries need high-volume payment methods. Retail POS solutions with real-time analytics let organisations track campaign results and adapt operations.

Promoting offers and events

Promoting special deals, seasonal menus, and events on social media is cheap. Directly marketing flash deals, happy hours, and food festivals to followers boost interest and bookings.

Integrating QR code payments with these promotions streamlines the user experience. At a culinary festival, diners can scan a code at the restaurant's booth to pay for event-only dishes or items without cash or cards.

The next level analytics

Social media platforms provide comprehensive analytics tools that enable restaurants to gain insights into their audience. Understanding peak engagement times, popular content types, and audience demographics enables businesses to refine their marketing strategies with precision.

The integration of these analytics with data from payment systems offers a comprehensive perspective on customer behaviour. Tracking the posts that generate the highest number of online orders or in-person visits enables businesses to enhance their social media and payment strategies effectively.

Top payment processors for the F&B industry

Like every industry, the food and beverage sector requires customised solutions for their payment processing needs. Thus, we have handpicked some popular payment providers who offer services for the F&B industry.

Wonderful

Overview: 

Wonderful is a payment processor that provides solutions for the food and beverage industry. Its user-friendly platform accepts a variety of payment methods and gives businesses tools to handle transactions efficiently.

F&B-specific features:

• Integration with mobile POS systems allows for more seamless operations.
• Support for current payment methods, including QR codes and quick payments.
• Real-time transaction insights for optimising sales efforts.

Why it works for food and beverage:

Wonderful's emphasis on adaptation and innovation guarantees that it matches the changing needs of food and beverage enterprises, whether they are little cafés or huge restaurant chains.

WorldPay

Overview: 

Worldpay is a prominent payment processing company that provides comprehensive solutions that are specifically designed for the food and beverage industry. Worldpay is renowned for its capacity to facilitate both in-person and online transactions, and it offers a diverse selection of payment methods, such as contactless options, mobile wallets, and card payments.

F&B-specific features:

• Scalable solutions for establishments of all sizes, including restaurants, bars, and cafés.
• POS systems that are seamlessly integrated to optimise operations.
• Real-time analytics to monitor consumer preferences and sales.

Why it works for F&B:

Worldpay's systems are particularly effective during periods of high traffic, such as events or supper rushes, as they guarantee the smoothest transactions. Furthermore, its compatibility with QR code payments and immediate payments renders it an ideal option for restaurants that provide contemporary dining experiences.

Zettle by PayPal

Overview: 

Zettle by PayPal gives stylish payment options for cafes and restaurants that care about both looks and functionality. Zettle makes current payments possible with its small card readers and strong software.

F&B-specific features:

• Popular food and beverage platforms can be integrated to keep track of supplies and sales.
• Chip, RFID, and swipe payments can all be used.
• Mobile POS systems that are easy to use and look great in any setting.

Why it works for F&B:

Zettle is great for trendy cafes and small businesses that want to look tech-savvy because it has an easy-to-use interface and can be integrated with other systems. Digital-first buyers will also like that it works with PayPal.

Square

Overview: 

Square is well known for its versatile and easy-to-use payment options. Small and medium-sized F&B enterprises, such as food trucks, pop-ups, and independent cafés, are especially fond of its services.

F&B-specific features:

• Small installations are perfect for these portable point-of-sale devices.
• Payment links for takeout or delivery are integrated with online ordering.
• Reasonably priced versions for companies on a tight budget.

Why it works for F&B:

Square is ideal for F&B enterprises who are on the go or have limited space because of its portability and ease of setup. For expanding companies, it's clear fees and comprehensive analytics tools offer value.

Adyen

Overview:

Adyen is a global payment processor that provides innovative solutions for high-volume food and beverage enterprises. Its platform is designed for scalability and accepts a variety of currencies and payment methods.

F&B Specific Features:

• Omnichannel payment solutions for eateries that operate both online and offline.
• Real-time fraud detection ensures secure transactions.
• Payment data provides insights into customers' preferences.

Why It Works for F&B:

Adyen's capacity to manage complex payment configurations makes it popular among larger restaurant chains and multinational food and beverage firms.

Stripe

Overview: 

Stripe, originally recognised for its online payment services, has broadened its range of offerings to provide solutions that cater to food and beverage businesses adopting a digital-first strategy. Stripe is especially advantageous for restaurants that have a robust e-commerce platform.

F&B-Specific Features:

• Payment links that can be tailored for pre-orders and reservations.
• Enhanced fraud protection for secure transactions.
• Effortless integration with food delivery platforms.

Why it works for F&B:

Stripe's capability to manage intricate payment processes positions it as an excellent choice for food and beverage businesses that provide subscription meal plans or digital gift cards. The robust APIs enable restaurants to customise payment experiences for their customers.

Conclusion

The F&B industry in the UK is a vibrant and rapidly transforming landscape, influenced by shifting consumer desires and innovative technological progress. By embracing sustainability and exploring new cuisines, businesses are discovering remarkable avenues to fulfil customer expectations. At the core of this transformation is payment processing, fostering effortless interactions and enhancing customer satisfaction. Embracing innovative solutions such as mobile POS systems, QR code payments, and instant payment options empowers the F&B sector to flourish in the digital age.

FAQs

How to use social media to track food trends?

Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are valuable resources for identifying emerging culinary trends. Restaurants can customise their menus by monitoring popular hashtags, culinary influencers, and viral challenges to determine which dishes or ingredients are gaining popularity. Audience preferences and engagement patterns can be further disclosed through the use of analytics tools on these platforms.

What are the future trends in the restaurant industry?

The restaurant industry is transitioning towards sustainability, hyper-personalization, and technology-driven operations. The future emphasises efficient, ethical, and personalised dining experiences through plant-based menus, zero-waste efforts, fast payments, and QR code ordering systems. Cloud kitchens and AI-enhanced menu planning are poised to assume substantial roles.

Photo by Brooke Lark on Unsplash