With the year fast drawing to a close, it’s customary to look ahead and get a feel for what trends might be heading the way of the foodservice industry.
The good news? There’s quite a lot to look forward to! And, to help you get that marketing plan in order and start considering the new and wondrous ways you can draw in more diners and build greater advocacy towards you brand, here’s five of what we believe to be the most important trends heading your way next year.
1. Sustainability and healthy eating become front and centre
Sustainable operating practices are now a key focus for businesses across most industries.
People are more health conscious, and far more aware of what needs to be done to keep the planet in good shape, too. So much so, in fact, that it can significantly influence their purchasing decisions.
Next year, expect restaurants to be transparent about their sustainable operating practices and more than happy to address the increasing demand for healthy eating and new dietary requirements.
2. Rich consumer media
The last few years has seen an incredible rise in the way diners use platforms such as Instagram to tell the world about their eating out experiences.
However, thanks to the introduction of features like Facebook Live and Instagram Stories, we should expect to see an increasing amount of rich media coming from restaurant customers. Videos, boomerangs and even animated GIFs are likely to play a key role in telling the story of a dining experience – and those stories will influence potential customers considerably.
3. More tech than ever
We’re at a point in the foodservice industry now where there’s an overwhelming amount of technology from which to pick if you’re an independent restauranteur or part of a chain.
From incredible kitchen devices that are revolutionising accelerated cooking to front of house POS systems that create a seamless experience for customers, you don’t have to invest a fortune any longer in order to enjoy the best the industry has to offer.
In 2019 and beyond, tech will continue to help restaurateurs deliver friction-free service and discover new revenue-making opportunities such as the addition of takeaway and other self-service options.
4. Accessible food
Accessibility in the foodservice industry refers to the desire for customers to grab food whenever they need it, no matter where they are or the time of day.
Next year, this trend looks set to continue, with off-premise ordering and eating likely to be in greater demand than ever, and service such as Deliveroo and Uber Eats becoming preferred choices over the traditional takeaway.
5. Snacks!
We all crave a snack now and again, but this desire for fast-fix food (that isn’t quite fast food) is making its way into the restaurant industry.
Fast casual is picking up pace as an important food offering, and the restaurants who provide snack-like menus for passing trade are likely to grab several customers who may have otherwise headed elsewhere. And those small orders, if frequent enough, could add up to quite a healthy new source of revenue!
Wrapping up
Which foodservice trend are you most looking forward to in 2019? We hope our list has given you some inspiration for where you could next take your business!
