The dawn of the restaurant industry in the 21st century has been nothing short of remarkable. The emergence of technology has completely revolutionized the way restaurants operate, making it easier than ever to provide fantastic services to customers and make sure they have a great time. As we look ahead to the next decade, it’s clear that the restaurant industry will be continuing to evolve and innovate to keep up with the ever-changing trends.
Did you know?
The fast casual restaurant market size was valued at $125.6 billion in 2019, and is expected to reach $209.1 billion by 2027 according to a Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast! Talk about an exciting sector.
Let’s take a look at some of the biggest quick-serve restaurant trends for 2023, from digital ordering to customization, to keeping menus fresh and relevant.
Faster and more efficient online ordering
One of the biggest trends in the restaurant industry for 2023 will be the continued rise of digital ordering. With the emergence of mobile apps, restaurant owners now have the ability to offer customers a digital ordering experience directly from their phones. This way, customers can order their meals ahead of time and pick them up at their convenience. This will allow restaurants to streamline their operations, reduce wait times, and provide a better overall customer experience. Restaurant point of sale solutions can help businesses create mobile ordering apps and integrate them into their existing systems, streamlining the entire process.
The growth of delivery and takeout is another big trend that restaurant software companies need to be aware of. With the rise of services like DoorDash and Uber Eats, customers now have the ability to get their favorite meals delivered directly to their door. This is becoming a major part of the restaurant industry as customers look for more convenient and affordable ways to enjoy their favorite dishes. Restaurant software companies can help restaurants set up delivery services on their websites and mobile apps and integrate them with their existing systems. This way, customers can order their meals online and have them delivered directly to their door.
Customization (according to taste)
Another major trend in the restaurant industry will be the emergence of customization. As customers become more demanding and discerning, they are increasingly looking for ways to customize their dining experience. This could mean anything from ordering dishes with specific ingredients to customizing drinks with unique flavors. Restaurants need to be able to keep up with this trend in order to keep their customers happy and coming back. A smart point of sale system can help restaurants create custom menus and allow customers to build their own dishes with the ingredients of their choice. This way, customers can get exactly what they want and come back for more.
Veganism (yet again!)
For several years now, meatless (and wheatless) options have been in high demand. The vegan segment is still growing, and restaurants will need to feature at least one vegan option if they want to remain competitive in 2023. While “faux meat” is on the rise, so is the humble mushroom–a tasty, versatile, and natural meat alternative. Boustan, a rapidly growing franchise in Canada, uses shiitake mushrooms in their vegan kebab. In fact, this one menu item generated over 5 million dollars in sales in one year!
Unique flavours from around the globe
As the COVID-19 pandemic slowly came under control in 2022 in many countries, the travel industry came roaring back. Millennial and Gen Z consumers are hungry for new travel experiences, and it comes as no surprise that they’re seeking out global flavours. In 2023, North American restaurateurs will consider offering more novel ingredients and flavours like zaatar, sichuan peppercorn, pandan, yuzu, and calamansi.
Sustainable eating
Finally, sustainability is another trend that restaurateurs need to be aware of. As customers become more conscious of their impact on the environment, they are increasingly looking for restaurants that are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprint. For example, restaurants can focus on reducing food waste, using reusable materials, and sourcing ingredients locally. The right point of sale can help businesses track their sustainable ingredients so they can provide customers with detailed information about where their food is coming from.
Now that single-use packaging is being controlled or banned, companies like Suppli are offering innovative solutions. MYR recently teamed up with Suppli to give restaurants (and their customers) the option to eliminate packaging waste from meals. By adding a simple modifier to menu items, customers can choose to have their meals packaged in sturdy stainless steel containers, returnable to any of the 50+ Suppli drop-off bins. Suppli looks after all the customer follow-ups (they have a 97% container return rate!), container pick-ups, and cleaning. Suppli has actually driven higher revenues for the restaurants they partner with (5-10% increase). They’ve reduced packaging costs and enhanced customer retention—that’s what we call a win-win!
These are just a few of the major trends in the restaurant industry for 2023. It’s clear that the industry is continuing to evolve and innovate to keep up with customer demands and provide the best possible experience. Restaurant point of sale companies can play a vital role in helping restaurants stay ahead of the curve by providing the tools and solutions to help them stay up to date with the latest trends. By doing so, they can help their clients stay competitive and provide their customers with the best
