As spring approaches, suppliers and data providers in the food service industry are preparing for the changing palates associated with this season. From new menu items to ingredient revisions, there is a lot to consider when working with food data trends across regions and sectors. In order to stay ahead of the competition and keep up with the ever-evolving foodservice market, suppliers and restaurant technology providers must have solid market insights strategies. With that in mind, here are the top 10 things to consider regarding spring flavors for 2023, from key consumer insights to new menu ideas that could be embraced by your customers:
1. Seasonal/Regional Flavors: Consumers’ palates change based on their location in the country and the season. It is important to research the most commonly used flavor profiles in different regions. It is also important to track seasonal trends as a way to ensure that suppliers and restaurant technology providers are offering up the most popular flavors. For example, there could be a larger demand for sweeter flavors in the spring months in a certain region.
2. Food Experiences: Consumers are increasingly looking for more unique experiences when it comes to their food and beverages. The trend towards specialty foods, enhancements, and exotic flavors means that it’s important for suppliers and restaurant technology providers to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to foodservice trends.
3. Use of Technology: With the current pandemic, technology has become more important than ever for the food industry. Suppliers and restaurant technology providers should be researching the latest trends in technology to create the best experiences for customers. This includes things like contactless delivery, online ordering, and automated interfaces.
4. Flavorful Accessibility: Consumers are looking for inclusivity when it comes to food and beverage. They want to be able to find flavors they love, no matter their diet or allergen restrictions. Suppliers and restaurant technology providers should be thinking about creating vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and allergen-free options to ensure accessibility to all types of consumers.
5. Healthful Revisions: As consumers become more health conscious, suppliers and restaurant technology providers should consider revising their food offerings. This could mean less sugar, for example, or using more nutritious ingredients like wholesome grains and legumes.
6. New Product Lines: It’s important to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to developing newly trending product lines. Spring is a great time to introduce new flavors, seasonings, meal kits, and condiments that could appeal to a wide range of customers.
7. Clean Labeling: Consumers are increasingly wanting transparency when it comes to their food. They want to know what’s in their food, where it’s from, and how it was made. Suppliers and restaurant technology providers should be leveraging clean labeling practices to ensure that customers are getting the best, most transparent product possible.
8. Restricted Ingredients: With health-minded consumers, there is an increasing demand for products that are free from certain ingredients. Suppliers and restaurant technology providers should be researching what ingredients are trending in the foodservice market and adjust their offerings accordingly.
9. Dietary Analysis: With a rising number of people looking to think about their dietary needs, suppliers and restaurant technology providers should be leveraging dietary analysis in their product development and marketing efforts. This could include tracking success and, more importantly, failure on certain diets, or offering up nutritional guidance in the form of meal plans or recipe recommendations.
10. Target Consumers: Knowing who customers are and what they’re eating is essential for understanding the foodservice market. For any new product that is being designed, it is important to target the right consumers that will have an appetite for the flavors being offered.
With these top ten things to consider for spring flavors 2023, suppliers and restaurant technology providers can be sure that they have a comprehensive understanding and analysis of the foodservice market. With this knowledge and data, suppliers and restaurant technology providers can make more confident decisions regarding menu development, product lines, target markets, and consumer experience.