In the last few decades, almost all aspects of our lives have changed, and the way we perceive and consume our food also experienced a few changes. Clients of today want not only delicious food but also clean meals full of nutrients delivered to their tables as quickly as possible. That’s why restaurants need to change the way they do business in 2020 if they want to stay relevant. Here are just some of the biggest trends and innovations in the food and restaurant industry we should keep an eye on in the new decade.
Innovative spaces
People of the 21st century are willing to pay good money for quality food, but they also expect a whole dining experience. That’s why restaurants are forced to create memorable and Instagramable experiences using both their food offer and space design. Thanks to this trend, we have dining experiences like eating in a human-sized snow globe or munching on food suspended 50 meters from the ground. Thinking outside the box is more than welcome. Additionally, in order to make their space more multi-functional and politically correct, we can expect more gender-neutral facilities, spots accessible for different-abled customers and places interesting of all people who wish to enjoy something new and unique.
Superfoods
Millennials and Gen Zare the most health-conscious generations that ever lived, which is why we can see a great concentration of superfoods in restaurant menus. This nutrition trend asks for ingredients like leafy greens, berries, green tea, nuts and seed, yogurt and olive oil. These foods are filled with essential nutrients that provide everyone from fitness enthusiasts to business people with plenty of energy to go through their day.
Speedy service
We are so used to getting everything in a blink of an eye, from our entertainment to our goods and services. Luckily, new technologies make speedy service more than possible, so it’s not a surprise that many restaurants, bars, and food stalls create smart spaces that provide people with instant service. People in an extreme hurry can even use practical self-service kiosks that allow them to place orders with a few touches on the interactive screen. No staff members need to attend to them! This shortens the waiting period for customers even during the rush hours and allows businesses to boost turnover and reduce costs.
Creative drink options
According to research, Millennials and Gen Z youth drink less alcohol than previous generations, especially when it comes to cheap alcohol. Both alcohol consumers and non-alcohol consumers are willing to spend a lot of money on premium drinks that come with heightened experiences. So, in 2020, we can expect to see a completely new assortment of drinks with quality ingredients and innovative presentation styles. Things like passion fruit, tropical tea slingers and kombucha-infused drinks and cocktails are all the rage among younger customers.
Zero-waste spaces
One of the most prominent trends in the last few years is eco-friendliness. In the efforts to solve climate change issues, many consumers are joining the zero-waste movement, so restaurant owners need to find new ways to implement innovative techniques and food systems into their offer if they want to reduce their footprint. Cutting down on single-use plastics is one of the most visible trends closely followed by including unused kitchen ingredients in drink preparation and vice versa. While this is not an easy task to achieve since the quality of service, food and drink must not suffer, many establishments found a way to create a zero-waste offer which brought them many new customers.
All of these food and restaurant trends and innovations will affect the way we see and consume food in 2020 and beyond. Luckily, all of these trends are a step in the right direction and if service providers and consumers choose to adopt them, we can expect a clean, healthy and convenient future.
