The food service industry has seen vast changes in recent years, from the rise of delivery services to the introduction of new and innovative data, and many restaurateurs are leveraging these advances to stay competitive and profitable. As technology becomes increasingly more accessible and sophisticated, there is an ever-increasing need to understand the food service industry in order to remain competitive.
For food service providers and suppliers, gaining a deep understanding of the industry is the first step in staying ahead of the competition and unlocking new opportunities. Fortunately, data-driven tools are becoming available that make it easier to track market trends, analyze customer preferences, get insights into competitors, and more. In this article, we will explore some of the restaurant trends for 2021 and how data insights can be leveraged to stay ahead in the industry.
The first trend that is likely to play a major role in 2021 is the ongoing rise in online ordering and delivery services. Online ordering has been steadily increasing in recent years, and is likely to continue its upward trend as consumers seek convenience. Restaurants have begun to transition away from traditional methods of selling products and services and instead redirect their focus towards online and delivery platforms. By 2020, online orders account for 28.5% of restaurant sales, showing a significant shift in the industry.
Data insights can provide a much deeper understanding of the customer’s purchase journey and preferences. By gathering insights from industry metrics, reviews, and customer feedback, restaurants can gain crucial insights in how to attract and retain customers. Restaurant technology providers can use data-driven insights to help restaurants understand their target audiences and determine the best platform and strategy for reaching them. Additionally, by understanding what customer preferences are, a restaurant can develop targeted campaigns and promotions to increase orders and sales.
In 2021, restaurants will continue to focus on digital transformations and the utilization of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is quickly becoming a hot topic in the restaurant industry, and it’s changing how restaurants do business. AI solutions are helping business owners automate tedious tasks and boost the customer experience. Data insights are essential to understanding the customer experience and making sure that AI solutions are providing the best possible value.
The rise of delivery services is another trend that is set to dominate the industry in 2021. With customers only having to press a button to receive a meal, the demand for delivery services has skyrocketed. However, understanding consumer preferences and how to properly utilize delivery services is essential for a successful delivery business. By gathering data-driven insights, restaurants can better understand the customer’s experience and how to optimize delivery services.
Finally, the restaurant industry will be relying on data insights to drive personalization in 2021. Data insights enable businesses to truly understand customer preferences and create personalized experiences. By understanding customer data and creating targeted campaigns, restaurants can drive higher customer satisfaction and loyalty. Consumer-driven data is quickly becoming the new currency in the restaurant industry, and it’s essential for restaurants to stay ahead of the game.
In a nutshell, the restaurant industry is being transformed by data-driven insights, and trend analysis is essential for businesses to remain competitive. By leveraging the data insights gathered from our platform, restaurants and their suppliers can make better, more informed decisions and unlock vast opportunities in 2021.
