As 2025 kicks off, university dining departments everywhere are planning for the year. If you’re looking for new ways to engage students and boost business, look no further than these emerging campus dining trends. When you understand the dishes and technologies that are inspiring the college communities, it’s easier to make changes that could increase orders throughout the school year.
Viral foods on social media
Savvy campus dining managers are looking to one place to find ideas for weekly specials in 2025: social media. Food trends such as chili crisp and Dubai chocolate arise quickly, capturing the attention of users and potentially generating a rush of traffic that can last for weeks. Restaurants that monitor these popular dishes and integrate them into the menu will be well-positioned to capture students’ business.
Don’t hesitate to turn to your student workers for help. If they’re regular social media users, they’ll likely be aware of the latest food trends early on. Their insider knowledge can be invaluable in selecting the dishes that will attract the attention of the student body.
Robot food delivery
Delivery robots have been popping up on college campuses across the United States over the past few years. In 2025, autonomous delivery rovers could become one of the top campus dining trends. Students’ responses have been overwhelmingly positive—according to the National Association of Campus Card Users (NACCU), 93% of students report that delivery robots are convenient or helpful, and 95% would recommend them to friends at other schools.
A partner such as Grubhub On Site makes it easy to add self-driving delivery robots to your campus dining operation. Each one integrates seamlessly with the Grubhub platform, offering a familiar process for both students and restaurant employees. It’s an efficient way to bring a new sense of excitement to the food-delivery experience.
Over-the-top treats
Attention-grabbing, ultra-indulgent desserts have been popping up sporadically over the past decade—a trend that we expect to see more of on college campuses in 2025. From hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallow fluff to milkshakes piled high with candies and baked goods, these sweet treats take decadence to the next level.
In the coming year, campus dining outlets will be getting creative to concoct their own over-the-top desserts. Get it right and you could see a rush of orders.
The secret to success? Social media. Colorful and unexpected, these desserts are the ultimate Instagram-worthy treat. And because 70% of college students use at least one social media platform every day, the word-of-mouth marketing potential could result in a big boost for your bottom line.
Elevated campus cuisine
Many college students have sophisticated palates, and in 2025, universities are taking notice. Campus restaurants are going beyond traditional fare and creating entrées that appeal to foodies.
As you look for ways to update the menu, consider focusing on international and fusion fare. Foods such as curry, ramen, and birria bring fresh spice blends and fantastic flavors that will have students flocking to your restaurant.
Health-conscious meal options
College students understand the importance of a healthy diet, but many find it challenging due to their busy schedules, tight budgets, and limited cooking skills. The growing awareness of and interest in health have created one of the most interesting campus dining trends for 2025: healthy meals.
It’s not enough to simply offer health-conscious foods—you may also need to show students how specific dishes align with their needs and goals. For example, an Inside Higher Ed study found nearly 2 in 5 students wanted to eat fewer ultra-processed foods. In your marketing materials, you could promote specific dishes that feature whole, nutritious ingredients.
Whether you run a campus restaurant or an entire university operation, these 2025 campus dining trends can help you develop a plan that resonates deeply with students. If you’re planning to move toward technologies, such as mobile ordering, self-ordering kiosks, or delivery robots, turn to Grubhub On Site for support. We help campuses integrate the latest ordering technology seamlessly, creating an innovative experience for students and helping you streamline operations.
To find out how we can help you take your campus dining operation to the next level in 2025, find out more about Grubhub On Site today.
