News
Mintel: four trends for restaurants in 2019
17 Jan 2019Mintel believes the foodservice landscape will evolve, driven by increased awareness around social and environmental responsibility and innovation in technology-enabled customer service.
![Mintel: four trends for restaurants in 2019](/img/ingnet-logo.png)
Mintel has announced four trends it believes are set to impact the US restaurant industry in 2019. In the year ahead, the foodservice landscape will evolve, the company says, driven by increased awareness around social and environmental responsibility and innovation in technology-enabled customer service.
You Are Where You EatWhere you choose to dine says more about you than just your food preferences; it’s a reflection of who you are. With more restaurants extending their reach beyond the dining table, diners are supporting restaurants with cultures and values that align with their own lifestyles. Restaurants today are showcasing more of their personalities. American diners are literally wearing their favourite restaurants on their sleeves as operators offer branded merchandise from hoodies to sneakers. Branded collaborations featuring limited-time-only items and contests used to boost brand appeal are programs that establish customer relationships and relevancy and build brand ambassadors.“In the year ahead, expect restaurants to take customer engagement a step further by creating a sense of community with their patrons. Knowing that diners want to align themselves with brands that fit their lifestyle, restaurants can meet diners halfway by taking a stance on social and political issues and supporting organizations that are important to them. The most successful brands will be those that are personable and form transparent relationships with diners,” said Amanda Topper, Associate Director, Foodservice Research, at Mintel.Serving the EarthWhile consumers are looking for guidance on ways to be more environmentally responsible, at the same time, operators are realizing their impact and the role they can play by stepping up to the plate to be partners and educators in environmental and social responsibilities. As consumers aim to incorporate more environmentally responsible practices into their lives, they have begun to expect the same from the companies they buy from, including restaurants. From compostable straws to upcycled food scraps, diners depend on restaurants to draw on environmentally friendly business practices. Restaurants have an opportunity to become a guiding force that can enable consumers to feel good about the decisions they make, including where they get their lunch.“With more restaurants adopting environmentally friendly practices, sustainability will become the new normal, and operators will need to take more innovative steps to stand out. Expect to see restaurants make changes to the way they operate in 2019, including partnerships that put the greater good above competition and circular economies that benefit the environment and the people involved in the food systems,” continued Topper.Restaurants for GoodRising labour costs and declining unemployment are creating challenges for restaurant operators to hire and retain top talent. Restaurants are not only focusing their attention on the well-being of their employees to reduce attrition, they are also focusing on their customers by giving back to the communities they serve. Labour is a top concern, if not a crisis, for the foodservice industry. Technology and robots are playing an increasing role in reducing labour costs, but foodservice will undeniably rely on humans for the foreseeable future. In 2019, restaurants will find even more creative ways to attract and retain top talent, and in turn, build loyalty in their own communities by backing causes that matter most to their customers.“Employee retention programs and community outreach initiatives will be crucial for brands in 2019. Although mental health care and sexual harassment protections seem like they should already be basic necessities, these issues are ongoing in the restaurant industry. With national awareness mounting for both, expect to see restaurants implement stricter procedures and protocols surrounding these issues in an effort to better protect and support their employees,” added Topper.Tech in BalanceAs technology continues to drive the changing face of foodservice, restaurants must strike the right balance between operational efficiency, a desire for human interaction, and excellent service to all customers. The invention of the drive-thru window forever changed how customers define convenience. Today, restaurants are continuing to roll out technology innovations to enable time-strapped consumers to have quicker transactions, shorter wait times, and meals delivered straight to their door. Looking ahead, operators must ensure that new innovations benefit not only operational efficiency but first and foremost, customers.“As restaurant technology continues to become more sophisticated, the way consumers order will dramatically change moving forward. Restaurants will utilize technology to heighten customer experiences and provide value through more personalized service. By implementing technology with tangible benefits for customers, such as greater customization and more intuitive recommendations, operators will be able to drive efficiency and better customer service,” concluded Topper.Related news
![Consumers lack confidence in Australasian food labelling and ‘fake’ meat](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/48/19/th124819.png)
Consumers lack confidence in Australasian food labelling and ‘fake’ meat
5 Jul 2024
Australian and New Zealand consumers are concerned about foodborne illnesses and do not trust cell-cultured meat, according to a survey by Food Safety Australia and New Zealand (FSANZ).
Read more![Nestlé launches GLP-1 Nutrition initiative](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/48/15/th124815.png)
Nestlé launches GLP-1 Nutrition initiative
4 Jul 2024
Nestlé Health Science has introduced GLP-1 Nutrition, an initiative to support consumers during their weight loss efforts, building on the recent launch of its Vital Pursuit product range. “Nutrition, science, and wellness must merge – not collide,” it...
Read more![Rethinking funding for food technology](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/76/th124776.png)
Rethinking funding for food technology
28 Jun 2024
The landscape of foodtech investment is evolving. With the need for long-term investment perspectives, what are the most effective strategies driving the next wave in foodtech innovation?
Read more![Chinese Gen Z consumers hungry for alternative proteins](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/70/th124770.png)
Chinese Gen Z consumers hungry for alternative proteins
27 Jun 2024
China’s Gen Z could be at the forefront of a dietary shift, with younger consumers increasingly open to and curious about alternative proteins. With the right strategies to address their concerns and highlight the benefits, the alternative protein mark...
Read more![Will ASEAN harmonise food marketing rules for children?](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/17/th124717.png)
Will ASEAN harmonise food marketing rules for children?
21 Jun 2024
ASEAN Health Ministries and UNICEF release new guidelines on how food and beverage brands should market their products to children to protect them from harm.
Read more![Adventurous US consumers eager for ‘swicy’ flavours](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/47/01/th124701.png)
Adventurous US consumers eager for ‘swicy’ flavours
19 Jun 2024
US manufacturers and marketers are tapping into the adventurer consumer persona and enhancing their products with elevated and diverse ‘swicy’ flavours.
Read more![Scientists use digital PCR technology to ensure food safety](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/44/th124644.png)
Scientists use digital PCR technology to ensure food safety
18 Jun 2024
Researchers are applying digital polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology to accurately identify and quantify allergens in foods and adulteration in meat.
Read more![Fibre-filled bread leads health-conscious baked buys in Asia](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/45/th124645.png)
Fibre-filled bread leads health-conscious baked buys in Asia
17 Jun 2024
Value revolves around better-for-you bakery claims and nutritious seed-rich loaves as consumers seek less sugar and more fibre from their baked goods, according to Mintel.
Read more![Savvy shoppers choose savings despite lower inflation](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/46/43/th124643.png)
Savvy shoppers choose savings despite lower inflation
12 Jun 2024
Consumers remain cautious about spending, despite global drops in inflation and the UK recording its lowest inflation levels in recent years.
Read more![Brazilian study finds high levels of mycotoxins in flour and rice](/47/pdcnewsitem/12/45/94/th124594.png)
Brazilian study finds high levels of mycotoxins in flour and rice
10 Jun 2024
For the first time, scientists in Brazil used biomarkers to analyse the risk of mycotoxins in consumers’ diets, finding that some exceed maximum permitted levels.
Read more