The restaurant industry today is pumped with new and exciting stuff for consumers. Talk about late-night dining and restaurant spaces that resemble amusement parks rather than conventional eateries. And of course, Instagram food influencers have become the new restaurant critics, with the ability to ruin a restaurant in a few seconds.
Let’s reflect on 2023 and look at restaurant trends for the coming 2024.
Setting the Stage for 2024
Reflecting on 2023: Statistics and Key Insights
The global food service industry is currently worth US$ 3,483,539.5 million in sales(FMI) and was projected to grow to $997 billion in 2023, according to the National Restaurant Association. It is partly due to increased menu prices and a good 84% of diners favoring restaurant experiences over cooking at home—the demand was pretty high this year.
Pandemic-induced pivots, such as expanded delivery and outdoor dining, have become permanent fixtures. Technology investments, on the other hand, are on the rise, particularly in order and payment systems.
The influencer marketing industry reached $16.4 billion in 2022, and restaurants woke up to the idea of its potential this year by involving social media foodies/food influencers in promotions and a wider audience reach. Meanwhile, online reviews and restaurant ratings are shaping the resonance of restaurants this year, with 22% of consumers opting not to dine at a restaurant after reading one bad review.
Looking into the Future: About Restaurant Trends
One dominating factor that will stretch into 2024 is health consciousness and healthy eating. The growing awareness and prioritization of personal well-being among consumers is a huge contributor. Restaurants should provide menu options that align with health-conscious choices, including organic, fresh, and sustainably sourced ingredients.
Technology powered by emerging innovations such as AI will take the lead in revolutionizing the dining experience. Restaurant technology trends for 2024 include delivery app upgrades, automated customer service, and digital customer experiences.
The Dynamic Landscape of Restaurant Trends
Embracing Change: Key Shifts in Consumer Preferences
The Solo Dining Experience
We have no choice but to eat alone sometimes, whether in between tight schedules or business travel. In 2024, it’s all about mindfulness and being intentional with solo life experiences. Restaurants and food establishments respond by creating welcoming environments, offering smaller portions, and establishing communities through communal spaces. It’s part of a broader societal transformation towards valuing personal time and independence.
Experiential Dining
Would you pay more for a unique dining experience? According to Eventbrite, 75% of diners are willing to reach deeper into their pockets to escape mundane dining experiences. Experimental dining is the integration of diverse elements such as ambiance, service, and presentation for a holistic and often theatrical experience. It goes beyond the plate to engage all the senses and create a lasting impression on the diner. A good example is the blindfolded dining experience, where the diners rely solely on their senses of taste, smell, touch, and hearing to decipher the menu.
Plant-Based Food Made with Actual Plants
As people care more about the environment, 2024 brings big changes in how we make plant-based foods. There's a strong push for using less processed ingredients in plant-based options. The trend is about making tasty and satisfying dishes with a mix of vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes. The focus is on keeping things natural. Increasing concerns about health, ethical eating, and the environmental impact of our food choices have fueled this change.
A Glimpse into Culinary Innovations Shaping 2024
Little Luxuries
A rise in mindfulness has led to an increase in the consumption of small treats to maintain energy levels throughout the day. It can be a slice of cake or small servings of visually appealing cuisine. Instagram has a huge part to play in the rise of this trend by promoting savoring the moment and the fulfillment that comes with it.
Consumers will prefer botanical ingredients
By 2024, there will be a greater demand for wellness-related products, leading to an increase in the usage of botanicals. People love them for their authentic tastes, eco-friendly implications, and potential health advantages. Botanicals include flowers, roots, and herbs. People enhance their nuanced flavor by adding them to other foods.
Popularity of Beverages low in sweetness
Consumers will prefer natural ingredients over artificial sweeteners for authentic flavor in their beverages in 2024. It is in alignment with health-conscious patrons who are seeking balanced options that reduce sugar intake. Take, for example, a hibiscus and mint-infused water that combines a natural floral and herbal flavor without adding sugar.
Technology's Pivotal Role in Restaurant Evolution
The Tech Revolution: Transforming the Dining Experience
Technology has impacted the restaurant industry and has revolutionized service delivery and operations. Let’s look at some examples:
Digital Menu Boards and Ordering Systems: Restaurants will leverage tablets or smartphone apps for patrons to browse through menus, access detailed dish descriptions, and place orders.
Contactless Payments: With mobile payment apps and NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, patrons will swiftly complete transactions without physical cash or cards.
Augmented Reality (AR) Enhancements: AR-enhanced menus will provide immersive visualizations of dishes using 3D representations or interactive images. Patrons will also be able to enjoy meals in digitally simulated environments.
Smart Kitchen Appliances: Smart kitchen appliances equipped with IoT (Internet of Things) will enable chefs to monitor and remote control cooking processes.
Social Media Integration: Socials, including Instagram, will connect restaurants with consumers to showcase the latest in cuisines and provide real-time feedback.
Digital Signage: A Tech Marvel Reshaping Restaurant Dynamics
A huge contributor to 2024 trends in the restaurant industry will be digital signage. This technology has a lot to offer in terms of ease of use and enhancing guest experiences.
With the prevalence of AI, digital menu boards are getting smarter and will offer a more personalized experience. They won’t showcase food options but also engage consumers based on real-time factors such as demographics, purchase history, and even weather conditions. This shift will align with the trend for healthier and more individualized dining.
Order screens will also help kitchen staff keep track of orders, showing wait times and order types. It will ensure the kitchen runs smoothly and prepares on time. Customer-facing screens will keep people informed about their orders.
Internally, digital displays for the hospitality industry will enhance effective communication by sharing special promotions, event updates, and interactive elements such as QR codes for instant access to exclusive recipes and virtual wine pairings.
Case Study: Digital Signage's Impact on Restaurants
Pizza Hut: Interactive Touchscreen Tabletop
Concerning disruptive digital displays for the hospitality industry, Pizza Hut did it with this one — an interactive touchscreen tabletop. It’s a digital menu ordering service that lets diners design their pizzas through intuitive swiping and tapping gestures. Pizza Hut envisions this as the future of their dining experience. The tabletop enables customers to customize orders, make payments, and enjoy entertainment, creating a pleasant experience. The touch screen can also enhance group dining by minimizing family in-fighting when they come together.
Social and Economic Factors Shaping 2024 Trends
Societal Shifts: Influencing Dining Patterns and Preferences
According to Statista, Gen Zs, who make up about 20% of the US population, are driving changes in dining patterns and preferences. Let’s look at some of them:
- Gen Z values sustainability, preferring flexitarian diets and embracing vegan/vegetarian lifestyles.
- Due to economic uncertainties, Gen Z prefers quick and easy meals.
- Gen Z demands transparency in food sourcing and production, favoring locally produced or grown ingredients in restaurants.
On a broader scale:
- The desire for affordable culinary joy will bring experimental condiments to enhance simple dishes with bold flavors.
- Embracing eco-conscious preferences, the popularity of compact, on-the-go products like cereal and dehydrated oat milk will grow, reducing shipping costs and carbon emissions.
Conclusion
The restaurant industry needs to evolve rapidly in the coming years to meet consumers' expectations for sustainability and immersive culinary experiences. To succeed, restaurants must be adaptable, creative, and have a deep understanding of their consumers' needs.
If you're looking to stay ahead of the restaurant industry trends, consider using digital signage to enhance your customer experience. Book your Look digital signage software demo today to learn more!
