As the industry looks for ways to adapt on the road to recovery, there are trends emerging with staying power.
Touch-free hospitality and restaurants without a physical presence have already made a splash in 2020 but they will sweep the industry as 2021 unfolds. There are also food trends that range from indies offering consumer-packaged goods to seriously spicy foods to the increase in frozen foods.
Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor
Leigh Anne Zinsmeister, Digital Content Manager
Restaurant chains began unveiling new next-gen stores designs with mobile drive-thru lanes, automatic doors, contactless curbside pickup and increased outdoor seating, with some prototypes eliminating dine-in seating to satiate consumer demand for convenience and digital ordering options.
The pandemic accelerated pre-existing restaurant technology trends for many restaurants that had long ignored their digital footprint. But these solutions are not temporary. Contactless ordering as well as integration of third-party delivery have become crucial tools for restaurants.
Fast-casual chains will add drive-thrus as a way to cater to convenience and safe eating.
Brand such as Dunkin’ and Arby’s have leveraged TikTok as a way to reach a wider audience and also a younger, Gen Z audience. The challenge? Riding that wave of popularity before it disappears.
These have enjoyed newfound appeal in the COVID-19 pandemic, and that is likely to continue. Operators have found frozen products last much longer and reduce waste as they cope with the uncertainty of operating hours and traffic. Expect to see more long-term storage items on all menus.
Similarly diners are adapting to the technology, using digital menus or frictionless payments made by using QR codes and SMS links. Technology will likely expand to include loyalty programs that allow restaurant owners to obtain valuable consumer data, while guests earn rewards.
Chains are also adapting the types of units in urban locations to express units built to service delivery and take-out only.
