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For any franchisor looking to expand their locations with an eye for local food trends, they need to look no further than the data-driven insights accessible through Brizo. By leveraging the multitude of data fields and menu-driven analysis present in the foodservice industry, plus the in-depth tech coverage, franchisors can make effective and comprehensive decisions in regards to their future success.
Not only is it important to equip franchising sales teams with data-led insights, but it’s similarly important to keep track of the food trends related to their demographic and represented consumer base. This entails everything from menu engineering to goal-orientation across a variety of consumer needs and interests. By utilizing the plethora of available data provided by leading industry-specific research, operators can strategically expand their brand and plan for future production innovation with great confidence.
In today’s digital age, it is of the utmost importance to be able to deliver enriched data to the consumer market. By considering popular trends such as plant-based options, the importance of freshness, and a winning social-media strategy, franchisors have the ability to unlock a variety of opportunities and close even more leads.
For any franchisor looking to stay current and incorporate emerging food trends into their business plan, there are a number of things to consider. Here are the top ten:
1. Plant-Based Options
In recent years, vegan and vegetarian food selecting has become increasingly popular both among consumers and within the foodservice industry. Recent studies have reported that plant-based menu items have seen an increase of 20-38%, with even greater spikes during peak seasons, such as winter. These plant-based options don’t just appeal to vegan and vegetarian customers, however, as people are increasingly becoming aware of their own carbon footprints and environmental wellness.
2. Refreshing Beverages
During the hot summer months, few things are as appreciated as a nice, cold drink, so why not take advantage of this in the form of year-round specials or menu items? Refreshing, individualized beverages are a great way to attract new customers and connect with old ones. Many consumers are also looking for delicious, healthy drinks. Incorporating more nutrient-dense ingredients such as spritzer and smoothie mixes can be an easy way for franchisors to keep up with the trends.
3. Flexitarian
Given the popularity of plant-based diets, more people are turning towards a flexitarian lifestyle. This term refers to an individual who shifts between plant-based meals and occasional animal-based meals. As such, offering a variety of options that don’t require committing to one lifestyle is a great way to capture more customers. This can include an abundance of vegan and vegetarian options, along with a few ‘diet-agnostic’ dishes that straddle the line.
4. Farm-to-Table Movement
In recent years, the farm-to-table movement has taken the foodservice industry by storm for its emphasis on locally sourced and fresh ingredients. This has become a great way to appeal to conscious consumers, who are looking for health benefits, taste experience and support of local small businesses.
5. Eating Seasonally
In close relation to the farm-to-table movement, eating seasonally is becoming an increasingly popular trend. The benefit of using seasonal ingredients is that these items often contain the freshest flavors and highest nutritional contents per crop. As such, switching up the menu throughout each season can help keep consumers coming back for more.
6. Festive Meals
With a wide variety of food festivals and holidays, creating dishes to fit the current occasion can be a great way to attract more customers. If done right, your dishes won’t just be fun and flavorful, but also visually stimulating with attractive garnishes and unique plate arrangements.
7. Fiery Dishes
In recent years, spicy food has seen a rise in popularity around the world. Consumers are requesting more exotic options and the heat on these dishes continue to rise. Incorporating different peppers such as Ghost Chilis, Bhut Jolokias and Scotch Bonnets can help give a unique twist to any dish.
8. Comfort Foods
Nothing says “comfort” quite like classic comfort foods. Adding these familiar recipes to your menu can help attract customers who appreciate a one-of-a-kind version of traditional favorites. Comfort foods should also be easy to customize so that they satisfy a wider variety of taste preferences.
9. Healthy Options
Given the proliferation of diet trends, health-conscious customers are always on the hunt for healthier options. As such, it is important to offer lighter options and dishes without sacrificing flavor. This can include salads made with fresh ingredients, grilled vegetables, and whole-grain breads and pastas.
10. Local Craft Beer & Wine
With the popularity of craft beer and wine, many customers appreciate discovering new and interesting flavors. As such, choosing the right blend of local drinks can make all the difference in drawing in new customers, as it gives them access to local products they may have never known before.
In short, with the right research, data, and insight into the foodservice industry, franchisors can take a variety of factors into account when planning their strategy. From plant-based options and farm-to-table dishes to craft beer and wine options, there is no shortage of trend to consider in order to become successful.
