By Indiana Lee, Contributor
Restaurant patrons are always looking for something new, and the eateries that get ahead of the curve can see great success in 2023 and beyond. Here are many of the upcoming trends that will be hitting menus across the globe and why you should consider them as part of your business going forward.
Serving the Sober Curious
The year 2023 will bring a continuation of the trend that celebrates a demand for non-alcoholic beverages. This trend has been dominating Instagram the past year and it all goes back to the idea of Dry January and taking responsibility for our consumption.
While drinking is typically OK in moderation, many young people are understanding that excessive drinking can cause long-term harm and unnecessary weight gain. However, many adult beverages can be tasty. So these sober curious folks are looking for a healthy balance. That’s why mocktails, non-alcoholic beer, and alcohol-free wines have become so popular.
Your drink menu doesn’t need to be dominated by non-alcoholic options, but having many beverages could help you this year. You won’t be the only restaurant taking advantage of the trend, so you need to stand out from the competition. You can do that by adding an element of luxury to your non-alcoholic drinks and presenting them as an upgrade. You can also market your restaurant to Gen Zers and other young people who may be interested in your alcohol-free beverages.
Emphasis on Sustainability and Seasonal Eating
Every year, there’s building excitement among people who want to do their part to live a more sustainable life. They will show their intentions by shopping at eco-friendly retailers and eating at sustainable restaurants. There are ways to make your restaurant sustainable: using less water, utilizing energy-efficient appliances, as well as sourcing and servicing local ingredients and seasonal meals available in town.
Several technologies can help you keep up with this trend. A big one is using artificial intelligence (AI), which can predict future trends so you can prepare your seasonal menu ahead of time. You can also utilize sensors that monitor temperature and humidity and check for risks of foodborne illness while the food is transported to your restaurant, so you only serve the healthiest options. Finally, cloud computing lets you track your shipments via smartphone or computer from anywhere, so you know you will have enough to serve your patrons.
Vegan and Plant-Based Options
Another trend that has been gaining steam is a desire by many restaurant patrons to eat plant-based and vegan options. The sales of plant-based foods grew three times faster than overall food sales in 2021, and there is no sign of a reversal.
The desire for vegan options is increasing around the globe and foodies are looking for new enticing options. It is such a rage that many restaurants that don’t have a vegan option are seeing a decline in sales. Add more vegan options to your menu in 2023.
Allergy-Free Menus
Restaurant patrons are also showing a growing desire to find allergy-friendly menu options. Currently, 32 million Americans have food allergies, and you don’t want to alienate them from your restaurant. Look at your menu, determine which dishes may contain allergens, and consider revising or creating an alternative recipe for patrons needing it.
If you have many allergy-friendly dishes, then advertise your restaurant with that fact as your selling point.
Acknowledging and Honoring Specific Heritages
As the years go by, food lovers are looking inward, and they want to celebrate their personal culture. As an example, many people are interested in Native American cuisine. A handful of restaurants have opened up around the country, serving traditional dishes, including bison meatballs, “Indian tacos,” and more. It's an excellent time to research your area and add items to your menu that speak directly to the culture. Note: there’s sometimes a fine line between cultural appreciation and cultural appropriation that you’ll want to navigate with thought and care.
Fusion restaurants are also gaining steam as foodies enjoy the idea of eating a dish made with ingredients from different parts of the world. American-Japanese fusion dishes like Philly cheese steak sushi and cheeseburger spring rolls are great examples of what many restaurants are cooking up.
Ghost Kitchens
Regardless of the type of food you are adding to your menu, you can prepare it with another big trend: the ghost kitchen. Although it can come in many forms, the ghost kitchen is typically a physical space for operators to prepare food that is delivered for off-premises consumption. As of today, there are approximately 1,500 ghost kitchens in the country, and the movement is picking up steam. The benefits include the chance to cut down on space and operating costs and the chance to experiment with different menu options. You can combine ingredients and work from one space to achieve maximum efficiency if you have several brands. It’s an idea to consider.
These are the six exciting options framing the restaurant industry's future. If any of these trends fit your brand, consider adding them to your menu, and you could see an increase in patronage and revenue.