Market Report Foodservice 2025 – Trends, Valuations & M&A
August 25, 2025
The foodservice sector demonstrates remarkable resilience in 2025, driven by strong performances in Fast Casual and Fast Food formats and structural shifts in consumer behaviour. The composite Foodservice Index has significantly outperformed broad global benchmarks over the past five years: the weighted index increased by 91.1% compared to 79.9% for the MSCI World and only 8.1% for the STOXX Global 1800 Food & Beverage. Even the unweighted index shows solid growth of 71.5%, underscoring the scalability, efficiency and defensiveness of the sector.
Valuations of publicly listed players vary widely. Within Fast Casual, the median EV/EBITDA multiple stands at 11.2× and the EV/EBIT multiple at 23.6×, with outliers such as Chipotle (32.4×) driven by high margins and strong revenue growth. Fast Food companies are valued even higher: the median EV/EBITDA is 12.8× and EV/EBIT 18.5×, supported by scale advantages, standardised processes and strong franchise models. McDonald’s is a clear outlier with exceptional margins and an EV/Sales multiple of 9.8×.
Operationally, both segments show strong performance. Fast Casual businesses realise median margins of around 16% EBITDA and 9.4% EBIT, while Fast Food operators reach approximately 20.1% EBITDA and 16.1% EBIT, with scaled players such as Yum! and Restaurant Brands International exceeding 30%. These results highlight how digitalisation, franchise expansion and efficient supply chains contribute to sustainable profitability.
Clear market trends are visible towards digitalisation, premiumisation, health-oriented offerings, plant-based alternatives and technological innovation in restaurant concepts. The sector continues to see active M&A dynamics: deal volumes remained high in 2023 and 2024, with a slight decline in 2025 due to macroeconomic uncertainty, yet activity remains robust driven by strategic expansion goals and private equity interest.
For foodservice operators, franchisers, caterers, investors and suppliers, this report provides valuable benchmarks on valuations, margins, peer performance, market trends and deal activity. The insights support strategic decision-making related to growth, international expansion, (re)financing, acquisitions and divestments in a sector that continues to outperform despite volatility.
Would you like the full analyses, market benchmarks, current multiples and an overview of relevant transactions?
View the full Foodservice Market Report Q3 2025 (in Dutch) here.
Related Transactions
Our experience within the Foodservice sector is reflected in several transactions that align with the themes discussed in this market report:
About Yuno Advisors
Yuno Advisors is a corporate finance boutique with a clear focus on Food, Retail & Consumer. We support entrepreneurs, family-owned businesses and investors in sell-side, buy-side and growth transactions. With deep sector expertise, direct partner involvement and a strong industry network, we deliver processes that maximize speed, quality and value.
If you have any questions about this market report or the position of your company within this sector, we are happy to advise you.