Top 6 Restaurant Trends in 2020
The food service industry has been constantly evolving since the beginning of 2020. With the rise of COVID-19, trends that were just beginning to gain traction have been accelerated almost 5 years forward. From digital channels to physical layout, restaurants have arguably been changed forever. Check out these trends and statistics below to stay up to date!
1. Touchless and QR Menus
As restaurants and businesses try to combat COVID-19 while keeping their store open, many have been shifting to QR code, digital menus. Utilizing technology that customers already have in their pockets allows for convenience as well as the health and safety of all. This trend has gone from a convenience to a necessity in the COVID era. Instead of handling potentially contaminated menus, customers can simply pull up a restaurant’s menu on their phone and order. Many believe that this trend will remain even after COVID-19 subsides because of its convenience, health factors, and marketing benefits.
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2. Customers Cite New Restaurant Value Drivers During COVID-19
Key factors in determining whether or not customers visit a restaurant have changed with the COVID-19 pandemic. Store sanitation, food price, healthy options, and menu variety have become more important to consumers since the pandemic has begun. Restaurants that adapt accordingly will likely receive more business and customer loyalty during this time as a higher sense of trust has been established. On the other hand, previous positive experiences, atmosphere, employee attitude, and speed have all become less important to the customer. Now more than ever, it is important to listen to consumer needs and desires.
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3. Shift Towards Online/Mobile Ordering
During COVID-19, there has been a 17% increase in the share of meals ordered from an app or website, while in-store orders decreased a whopping 30 percent. Even after lockdowns are lifted, it is predicted that app and website orders will remain 4% higher than they were previously. For this reason, many restaurants have been creating websites and pages specifically for ordering online.
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4. Loyalty Programs Booming
In addition to online ordering, major companies have found recent success in rolling out or expanding their loyalty programs. Wendy's, for example, has seen a 20%-60% increase in spending through its rewards app. By giving customers incentives to continue making purchases, restaurants see higher sales than those who do not offer loyalty programs. Especially now, relationship building is one of the most important factors for customer acquisition and retention.
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5. Fluctuating Consumer Fears
As COVID-19 cases continue to fall and rise with reopenings, consumer fears seem to follow suit. The best way to adapt is by building up your digital channels to back your business and provide stability in times of uncertainty. With no clear end date for the current pandemic and its lasting effects, restaurants are best off being over cautious. This means offering online and contactless ordering, taking the correct safety precautions, and creating trust and loyalty with your customer.
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6. Delivery and Curbside Pickup Growth
Delivery and curbside pick-up consumption channels are the most likely to grow after lockdowns are lifted. Consumers intend to receive 14% of meals through delivery and 8% of meals through curbside pick-up post-COVID-19, compared to 12% and 5% respectively, pre-COVID-19. Again, businesses that want to succeed must adapt to these changing consumer behaviors.
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About MunchEm
MunchEm's mission is to provide local, budget restaurants with superior technology to create a level playing field with larger, corporate restaurant chains. It is their belief that the world should be experienced through the food made by hardworking, local restaurants; not just food made in a boardroom.
MunchEm is a technology and custom software provider for restaurants aimed at providing a premier ordering experience across devices including web, iOS®, Android™ and self-service kiosk platforms. Utilizing OrderEm.com or OrderEm App (available on Google Play Store and Apple App store), restaurants can manage their online ordering settings, menu, branding and marketing tools from any device connected to the internet.
Visit MunchEm.com and OrderEm.com for more information.