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The foodservice industry is consistently shifting and changing as market demand for new flavors and health options continues to increase. Restaurants around the world have seen their traditional data.com/en/platform/’ target=’_blank’>menus being replaced with innovative sustainability-oriented items, vegan options, and ethically-sourced products. In order to ensure that your franchise has staying power and is able to stay competitive in this ever-changing marketplace, understanding the pros and cons of the current food trends in 2023 is essential.
Brizo, a data analysis tool used for research and targeting in the food service industry, provides insights that help franchises stay ahead of the curve with in-depth menu item analytics and restaurant tech coverage. This data not only assists with sales prospecting, but also helps with marketing to the food service industry and provides enriched data that helps franchisees make confident decisions in their operations.
In this article, we will explore the advantages and drawbacks of the current food trends in 2023 and also provide a guide for franchises on how they can use these insights to their advantage while avoiding potential pitfalls.
Pros of Keeping Up with Food Trends
The most significant advantage to knowing the next big food trend is to keep up with the current market outlook and what customers desire. By understanding the flavor and health trends of a specific market, restaurants can identify menu items that are in high demand and create exciting food options that draw customers in from all backgrounds.
In addition, food trends can create a unique brand identity that resonates with the local customer base. Businesses that are able to capture the aesthetic of their local market and create dishes that are attractive and delectable for their customers, often find themselves becoming the go-to restaurant in the area. This helps to create strong customer relationships and loyalty which can then be leveraged to expand and increase profits.
Staying on top of food trends is also an excellent way to ensure sustainability in the business. As consumers are becoming increasingly conscious of their impact on the environment, selecting ethically sourced ingredients, reducing plastic waste, and using only locally sourced products allows franchises to continue operating with a positive outlook.
Cons of Keeping Up with Food Trends
In spite of the advantages of become trend aware, there are a few drawbacks when it comes to keeping up with the latest food trend. Many trends tend to be short-lived, so you must be aware of when they will become irrelevant and how to shift focus to new and relevant items.
It is essential to keep in mind that food trends may be specific to certain markets or areas, meaning that the demands of one may not be applicable for another. Additionally, focusing too much on trends may reduce the creativity of the kitchen and produce dishes that are too formulaic.
Lastly, staying aware of current trends can become very expensive. Accommodating all of the new cuisine and food items can increase overhead costs and make profit margins thinner.
Evaluating Food Trends
Knowing when to incorporate new and current food trends into your restaurant’s menu can be difficult, but it can also be done with a bit of research and caution:
• Gather data: Use data analytics tools such as Brizo and other market research solutions to your advantage in order to get an idea of which food items are in high-demand locally. This data can be used to craft items with the latest flavors and ingredients that meet customers’ expectations.
• Tap into your team’s innovation: While trends allow you to stay up to date with local demands, don’t shy away from utilizing your chef’s creative ideas. Crafting menu items based on personal experience and culinary instincts can bring added quality and distinction to the table.
• Don’t overcommit: While it’s important to stay ahead of the current trends, you don’t always need to take on an item or cuisine that is beyond the restaurant’s expertise. Instead, research the trends to decide which ones are cost-effective and feasible to incorporate.
• Keep your brand identity in mind: When choosing to adopt a trend, make sure it’s in line with your current brand identity. Keeping food items consistent with the overall brand impression can help to uphold customer loyalty and create an overall positive outlook for the restaurant.
