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Vegetarianism and veganism are rapidly on the rise in the United States. According to the Vegetarian Resource Group, the number of vegetarians in the United States has increased by nearly 400 percent since 2014. This trend has resulted in a dramatic shift in food markets and restaurant technologies geared towards supporting these meatless diets. For food service companies and restaurants, the vegetarian trend has created a wide range of opportunities – from expanding menus, to using data-driven insights to discover new target markets, and discovering more efficient operational processes.
In the United States, a large percentage of Americans now identify as vegetarian or vegan – though it’s worth noting that some opt for vegetarianism for dietary or religious reasons, rather than ethical. Regardless of the reasons, the rise of vegetarianism has led to a surge in demand for more vegetarian-friendly options in restaurants and food service industries. This has resulted in the adoption of a range of new technologies and marketing strategies to support this new customer base.
From a financial perspective, catering to vegetarians can pay off. Many restaurant owners and food industry executives underestimate just how large and passionate the vegetarian population is, and statistics indicate that 70% of vegetarians regularly dine out at restaurants. By offering more vegetarian options, restaurants can gain a competitive edge by appealing to a larger audience and increasing profits.
Data-driven insights have played a key role in this trend. As the demand for vegetarian options grows, restaurant owners are using data science, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to more accurately target and market to this customer base. Market analysis and data-driven insights have enabled restaurant owners to better understand the size and location of the vegetarian population, as well as learn about the tastes and preferences of these vegan and vegetarian customers. With advanced data analysis, executives can also uncover new target markets, pinpoint new sales opportunities, and develop more efficient and profitable operational processes.
In addition to marketing strategies, restaurant-technology providers have developed new technologies that are better geared towards accommodating a vegetarian customer base. s of restaurant technology providers include Brizo, a platform that provides data-driven insights and analytics for the food service industry. In-depth menu data and restaurant tech coverage is also available. By understanding the needs of the vegetarian customer base, restaurant management systems have also been improved and adapted to provide more comprehensive market insights.
For food companies, the vegetarian trend has given rise to a range of new opportunities. From sales prospecting to marketing to customers, and even for streamlining production innovation and expanding brand visibility, data-driven insights has become a powerful tool to help meet the needs of the continuously growing vegetarian population. With the right analysis and insights, food companies can ensure their operations remain efficient and profitable, even in this time of unprecedented change.
