Top 4 trends shaping the future of restaurants
And How You Can Stay Ahead to Thrive in 2022 and Beyond
From COVID-19 to the metaverse, it feels like some new crisis or invention appears every day that completely changes the world.
The restaurant industry, like many others, has experienced a radical shift in the way it does business. The changes bring about a lot of fear for many, but they also provide massive opportunities to the restaurants that know how to use them to their advantage.
In this post, we’ll discuss the 4 key trends to watch out for in the restaurant industry in 2022. Plus, we’ll show how you can use these trends to thrive in 2022 and beyond.
Trend #1: Digital Transformation
It’s no secret that there’s a digital transformation taking place across the food industry. Restaurants are using technological advancements like staff scheduling tools, inventory management software, and menu management solutions to adapt to what has become the new normal.
Customers expect to be able to book tables online, and many restaurants even implemented automation tools like SMS messaging to confirm reservations, alert customers of changes to their dining experience, and even to market to customers with new promotions.
The truth is that refusing to adapt to the digital transformation sweeping across the industry is a surefire way to fail in the future.
Trend #2: Online Ordering is Here to Stay
Of course, one of the key shifts to emerge during COVID-19 was online ordering. With apps like Uber Eats, more restaurants are offering online ordering through their website or an app.
Even inside restaurants, many owners continue to implement QR code ordering, paying from the table, smart POS systems, and/or self-order kiosks.
It’s clear that these types of contactless ordering systems aren’t going anywhere. Customers will continue to keep safety & hygiene at the front of their minds in the post-pandemic world.
Trend #3: Personalization
Online ordering made it incredibly easy to customize all your orders, down to the smallest detail. As a result, customers expect customization and personalization from their restaurants.
What this means is that customers want to be able to choose things like where they sit, how much they customize their orders, and the ability to upgrade their reservation (example: adding champagne & a flower vase to their table for special occasions).
They also want to know that their food contains the most culturally authentic and highest quality ingredients, which takes us to our next and last trend for this post.
Trend #4: Sustainability
Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a renewed commitment to sustainability.
Customers are concerned about making purchasing decisions that positively impact the environment–and this extends to the food they eat.
Restaurants that refuse to coomit to sustainable practices like eliminating single-use plastics, buying locally, and decreasing food waste will lose many customers in the process.
With sustainable practices being watched closely and the digital transformation changing the landscape of the industry, there is plenty of pressure on restaurants to adapt quickly.
These shifts present challenges, but they also offer massive opportunities. Choosing to add digital systems to your restaurant saves you tons of precious time.
With that in mind, Choco’s app is the most efficient way for you to manage your orders. When you download the app, you’ll start saving time (at least 2 hours per week) and reducing mistakes (by up to 85%) right away. Fewer mistakes equals less food waste, which translates to happier customers too!
If you’re ready to streamline your operations and capitalize on the trends dominating the industry right now, you can download Choco’s free app.