With the pandemic and climate change being hot topics in recent months, Summer 2021 will have guests wanting to see more healthy and sustainable items on their menu. As a result, there will be a significant push for plant-based dishes and those featuring natural and functional ingredients from elderberries to turmeric. Here we share some of the major food and beverage trends operators can expect this upcoming season.
Category Archives: Restaurant Consulting
Catering for Restaurants
Important points to consider before starting a catering program Off-premise catering is undoubtedly a compelling business opportunity for restaurant owners. Aside from boosting revenue, catering can boost business during slow performing times, reduce excess food waste, allow for menu changes, and helps to increase employee retention as they gain new skills and varied tasks thatContinue reading “Catering for Restaurants”
Future of Food Delivery
How will restaurants deliver after COVID-19? The coronavirus crisis has challenged restaurants to rethink the way they deal with food delivery for good. Larger franchises have offered free delivery (McDonalds, Applebee’s, IHOP, Panera Bread, Wingstop and Chipotle Mexican Grill, among many others) to accommodate decreasing on-premise sales (1). Meanwhile, smaller restaurants had to turn toContinue reading “Future of Food Delivery”
What’s Packing Your Food? Restaurant Delivery Packaging Trends
A restaurant’s packaging is not just a vehicle for carrying food—it’s a statement that informs customers about your business’s brand and values. According to Technomic, a food industry research firm, 64% of consumers consider high quality packaging an important factor in deciding where to order food (1). And as Alicia McCabe, senior director of FoodContinue reading “What’s Packing Your Food? Restaurant Delivery Packaging Trends”
Incorporating the “New” Snack Trend
Great news! Snacking has become something we do 24/7. According to Skift Restaurant Megatrends of 2019, “customers are eating whatever they want, and whenever they want it” (1). Whether it is midday snacking or late night eating, “the definition of meals, where and when we have them, is becoming more fluid,” said David Portalatin, VP,Continue reading “Incorporating the “New” Snack Trend”
Fall Menu Trends: It’s All About the Comfort
Fall themed menus seem to crop up earlier each year¹, what with Dunkin’s launching their pumpkin and apple cider flavors on August 21, and Starbucks heralding the start of Fall with its pumpkin spice latte and other array of seasonal desserts on August 27th, weeks before the official start of the season. There is noContinue reading “Fall Menu Trends: It’s All About the Comfort”
Who’s Eating Out for Thanksgiving
By: Bora Kang Thanksgiving Day is synonymous to family and lots of good food, but that doesn’t mean that the food has to be made at home. Preparing Thanksgiving dinner can seem like a daunting task for those seeking a relaxing time off from work and quality time with their families. And with people (particularlyContinue reading “Who’s Eating Out for Thanksgiving”
Good Branding Is Good Business
Your brand is your bond! It is easy to focus on and get caught up with your product or service because it is the deliverable; the tangible asset you deliver to your customer. But what about your intangible asset… your brand? The value of your brand is equally as important as the quality and careContinue reading “Good Branding Is Good Business”
Restaurants That Go Cashless: Pros and Cons
For many of us, it’s hard to remember the last time we paid for a meal using cash. We are slowly but surely moving towards a cashless society. This is evident in the way we make routine dining purchases. Research by TSYS reveals that 40% of Americans pay with credit cards, 35% with debit cards,Continue reading “Restaurants That Go Cashless: Pros and Cons”
Planning for the “Big Game”
What comes to mind when you hear there is an expected surge of over a million possible guests entering your city for a weekend event? Disbelief? Excitement? Anxiety? How about all three? Having weathered major city-wide events in the past (BCS bowl games, March Madness, even one weekend that merged two huge NCAA football teams,Continue reading “Planning for the “Big Game””
The Present and Future of Recycling at Restaurants
Consumers seek out “Green Restaurants” By: Guy Pittman There is no questioning the positive impact recycling and waste reduction has on our environment. However, many are curious about the effect is has on their restaurant. Much debate has been circulating around whether the benefits of recycling and composting in restaurants outweighs the effort and expensesContinue reading “The Present and Future of Recycling at Restaurants”
Does Your Restaurant Need an App?
Apps are everywhere and it seems there is an announcement of a new restaurant app weekly for both national and regional brands. See how the statistics on apps add up: There are over 2.2 million apps available on the IOS marketplace and over 3 million Android Apps on Google Play “Games” are the most popularContinue reading “Does Your Restaurant Need an App?”