Trends that will be encountered by those who eat away from home
Technology, social networks, healthy eating… In a world that is so changing and influenced by so many factors, what are the trends that are shaping foodservice? According to the report ‘Dining Out in 2019’, prepared by El Tenedor and market research firm Doxa. The study collects and orders, according to their relevance, the preferences and parameters that are being imposed in the sector:
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Sensory thrills beyond the instant
In recent years, Instagram and other photo-sharing apps have revolutionized the food industry. Restaurants have even created specialty foods and beverages with their social media impact in mind. Instagram Stories, Facebook Live and YouTube have extended the trend beyond snapshots. Restaurants create dishes to wow customers, often prioritizing their aesthetics to make them more photogenic.
2- Technology on the rise
95% of restaurateurs in the U.S. say technology improves their restaurants' efficiency, according to Toast's third annual report. These establishments around the world are integrating technology solutions that in many cases become part of the experience. The challenge they face is to find the right balance between the efficiency brought by innovation and the personal, human touch.
3- Transparency and traceability
Consumers are increasingly demanding transparency regarding the origin of food and the methods of growing and processing. There will also be more price transparency, greater emphasis on fair trade and diversity, and more information on the environmental impact of food.
4- Food ‘free of’ and zero waste
With the growth of trends such as veganism, restaurants will increase “free of” offerings. These types of trends will increasingly influence the industry's services, which is moving towards a zero-waste strategy and broader sustainability. In short, special menu proposals for specific needs will expand.
5- Less food, more experience
In general, customers, especially millennials, prefer to spend money on experiences, rather than material things. The restaurant industry is no exception. This trend is introducing new concepts, such as multi-sensory dining or narrative dining.
6- Healthy is here to stay
The first wave of this phenomenon introduced healthy ingredients into restaurant offerings. The next step is the promotion of the specific benefit provided by each ingredient. New formats following this trend are holístic restaurants, diet-specific cafís and healthy eateries.
7- More informed consumers
Consumers will continue to take additional steps to learn more about what they eat by leveraging technology. There are apps that help diners identify unfamiliar ingredients. New products will gain importance.