As consumer food behaviors evolve and the restaurant industry continues to adjust, restaurant technology providers across the United States have their work cut out for them. To stay ahead of the eventful year ahead, providers should consider the top 10 predictions for 2023 food trends to help support their customer’s success.
One key factor influencing 2023’s food trends lies in government regulations. With states like California beginning to issue formal recommendations for grocery store and restaurant regulations, restaurant technology providers should look to quickly integrate this dynamic data into their organizational capabilities. This could include using datasets such as Brizo’s to map out the regulatory environment for restaurants, providing real-time risk assessments, and supporting customers with the changes and local regulations surrounding food service.
Beyond this, 2023’s food trend predictions suggest that diners will continue to embrace cuisine-based food experiences as well as ethnic foods. Technology providers should be prepared to supplement customers’ menus with innovative interpretations of classic dishes, seasonal flavors, and unexpected ingredients.
Third, food tech and restaurant tech will become a major tool for restaurants to remain competitive and efficient. Technology providers should values-driven eateries tackle customer preferences of diners shifting to sustainable, clean labels, organic and local sourcing. Additionally, restaurant technology providers should expect to see high customer demand for self-serve kiosks, digital cocktails menus, and digital cashier-less ordering systems to increase operational speed.
Fourth, with the majority of customers keeping their food ordering habits online, restaurants will continue to seek ways to personalize their online delivery experiences. Technologies providers can assist their customers by deploying virtual restaurant concepts, suggesting online meal subscription services, and developing augmented and virtual reality experiences to power unique–and!–interactive delivery experiences.
Fifth, health and wellness will continue to be a driver for restaurant trends. Technology providers should stay abreast of health-driven innovations such as plant-based proteins, veggie-centric options, and enhanced home meal delivery (HMDP) options. Furthermore, technology providers should equip restaurants to offer more personal-scale health and nutrition tracking services for diners, complementing the existing calorie and allergen labeling regulations.
Another influential factor set to shape 2023’s food trends is the increasingly high expectations of Millennials and Gen Z consumers, which is likely to drive the demand for experiential-dining, food technology, and greater convenience. Technology providers should be ready to provide their customers with unique experiences that include consumer’s engagement in restaurateurs’ digital messaging campaigns or utilizing technologies like interactive menu boards that can inform customers about their orders and ingredients used.
Meanwhile, technology providers should also prepare for increasing diversity in food delivery services. Experts suggest that the invoicing for the restaurant’s suppliers, ensuring their customers’ communicate, strategize, and information exchange consistently across partners, and make the ordering process more efficient with high-quality software systems will happen more than ever before.
The last key trend technology providers should look out for in the coming year is the rise of multi-tiered customer dining experiences. This refers to the use of technology-driven solutions to provide customers with personalized services that vary with age, purchasing power, and other demographics. Solutions such as meal subscriptions, catering services, delivery, take-out, and dine-in options all offer customers flexibility choose an experience that suits their needs.
Overall, at the start of 2023, restaurant technology providers should be prepared to incorporate all of these trends into their portfolio to help their customers succeed. The exceptional market insights to help make well-informed decisions and accurately predict customer’s food preferences will be key in helping restaurant’s stay ahead of the curve.
As the world of foodservice market witnessing a surge in demand, undergoing multiple changes, and rising customer expectations, restaurant technology providers should arm themselves with the trusty market insights tools like Brizo. With unique data fields specific to the food industry, the platform offers insights to both target research-based prospects and sales teams, boost marketing strategies, accelerate innovation, find kitchen solutions, and strengthen data enrichment accuracy.
