2022 Restaurant Trends: Revealed

Over the past two years, the restaurant industry has gone through its toughest challenges yet. From almost no footfall for while to going digital, restaurant owners and food enthusiasts alike have managed to plough through and adapt to a new normal. So what does 2022 hold for the sector? Let's take a look.

Restaurant Digitization

The pandemic completely changed the restaurant landscape by increasing digital orders. This isn't only limited to foodies, who have made online ordering apps an essential part of their life, but also the restaurant procurement ecosystem. Now procurement apps such as eighty6 have made restaurant automation far more conceivable.

PERSONALIZED CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIPS

Gone are the days of mass marketing and hoping the general public will like what you prepare without doing any homework. With menu optimization taking the reigns, consumer tastes are now identifiable on a more personal level. Moreover, online apps and social media give foodies the platform to voice their opinions, both good and bad. They are great outlets to make better relationships with loyal customers.

Diversity in cuisines

The pandemic saw many food enthusiasts scroll through their social media feeds for endless hours. In essence, they've traveled the world through their screens, and a part of the experience was about global and fusion food. Restaurants now need to think of diverse and innovative ways to cater to a more culturally educated crowd.

Cloud kitchens

Cloud kitchens, also known as ghost kitchens or virtual kitchens, will continue rising. These are spaces are specifically dedicated to brands, where they create a menu and facilitate order delivery through online applications or websites. Cloud kitchen chains and shared cloud kitchens have become quite mainstream, and with online orders not stopping anytime soon, we see it as an important 2022 restaurant trend.

HEALTHY MENU OPTIONS

People have become far more vigilant about their health after the pandemic. From being careful about what they put into their system to opting for immune-boosting foods, restaurants should now think of healthier options on the menu. This includes plant-based dishes, superfoods, and organic ingredients.

Restaurant concept stores

To close the gap between retail and food destinations, a new era of restaurant concept stores has emerged. Now consumers can dine and shop all in one place. Stores such as IKEA have been doing this for ages, but now the rest are catching up.

So there you have it! Restaurant trends to watch out for in 2022. For further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to the team at eighty6.