For dog-lovers, a meal at their favorite restaurant in the company of a four-legged friend might be the perfect treat. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), 44 percent of American households own a dog. Although not all patrons are inclined to bring their pets along when eating out, there’s still a significant market opportunity.
Bawling babies, tantrum-throwing toddlers, and picky preschoolers. These are not exactly your picture of perfect restaurant guests. Despite the many hassles of running a family-friendly restaurant, however, more restaurant operators continue to embrace this style, opening their doors to both adults and children.
In fact, banning kids in a restaurant can draw criticism. When Hampton Station, a craft beer bar and pizzeria put up a “No Children” sign last year, customers took to social media to express their dissatisfaction. However, some restaurants have experienced a business boom after implementing a kids’ ban.
Food Safety / Consumers / Restaurants / Quality / Trends
There’s no doubt consumers love fast food. Fast casual dining has been on the rise since the late 2000s, and the movement has drawn the interest of food industry professionals at all levels, including chefs. In 2016, more than 1,600 chefs surveyed by the National Restaurant Association identified chef-driven fast casual concepts as a top trend, next only to local food sourcing.
Consumer preferences for healthy, nutritious food continue to drive trends in the food industry. The farm-to-table concept, which involves reducing the distance food travels before it arrives at the consumer’s table, is an old but still relevant concept. Farm-to-table sources food through as few intermediaries as possible and uses ingredients in their freshest state.
Not only are consumers thrilled to have same-day harvests on their plates, they are increasingly drawn to brands that demonstrate sustainability and supply chain transparency. This presents several opportunities for food businesses.
The food industry is fast-moving when it comes to responding to consumer preferences. Social media allows information to be shared instantly to millions of people. It’s an opportunity for the food industry to listen and engage with consumers.
In the article “How to Use Social Media as a Test Kitchen for Your Brand,” QSR Magazine social media turned sweet tea-loving guests of McAlister’s Deli into fans of a new green tea option. McAlister’s asked the question, “Who’s talking about green tea and what are they saying?” to determine trends and preferences. They discovered that flavored green tea was more popular on social media. Consumer feedback allowed the company to create a niche flavor that would represent their brand and resonate with tea drinkers.
