4 Exciting Food Trends To Follow

Many of the market forces shaping the food business in the past years were related to Covid’s onset in 2020. However, since then, the last few years have offered fresh challenges and exciting opportunities for growth.

Labour and supply chain pressures will drive the majority of the food trends that will define the coming years. In order to free up cash for pay hikes, cafe owners will be asked to cut expenses by making menus simple and investing in labour-saving tech.

Let’s take a look!   

1. Cafe suppliers or cafe distributors

As your cafe or shop expands, you might decide to experiment on your menu items. There may come a time when you decide to create your own food item. 

A cafe supplier is always communicating with consumers. They are in a great position to offer good advice as to how you can improve your business. 

When you have a solid, long-term relationship with a cafe supplier, they will understand your company and its position in the market. They might be able to provide insight that can help you modify your selections.

Because they supply the need, they will be more aware of consumer trends, allowing you to remain on top of what’s new in cafes and bakeries in your community. For more information on cafe suppliers, you may view the website of Suprima.

2. Investing in labour-saving tech

As the food industry prepares for continuing labour shortages, more restaurant, bakery, and cafe owners will invest in technology that will reduce their reliance on humans, reduce costs, but enhance productivity. 

People expect that in the near future, jobs that will be performed by machines will be made of simple back-of-house functions such as dishwashing.

We can expect to see more voice-based artificial intelligence (AI) in drive-thrus, in particular. Why? Because AI has performed so well throughout the years. Aside from that, drive-thru bots can even upsell to customers.

3. Food halls will occupy vacant commercial space

Food halls were popular among younger customers even before Covid. A lot of developers originally intended for these big spaces to be major commercial or residential developments. 

Despite the fact that Covid slowed the food hall industry down for the past two years, developer interest is still on the rise. Many companies are developing big dining halls that promote a variety of cuisines such as French or vegan food.  

Food halls offer both quality food at a reasonable price. Plus you gain a social experience of some sort! 

4. Simplified menus and limited items  

Many restaurants and cafes have reduced menu items because of supply chain issues. Other factors are rising food costs and a lack of available labour. Limited menus can save money on labour and even prevent waste. 

Menu simplification will most certainly continue until the next few years as many in the industry have adapted it. At the same time, customers might demand reduced drive-thru waiting periods. Several cafes, bakeries, and fast food chains have already responded by simplifying their drive-thru menu items. 

Are you willing to take on this challenge? 

Wrap up

The food and beverage business is always changing and facing new challenges. However, it is nevertheless thriving. The sector as a whole will continue to grow and shops will be impacted by changing food industry trends.

Every year, cafe and bakery owners will decide how to deal with changing customer tastes, issues such as labour shortages, and industry ups and downs. These trends may be worth investigating to see how they will affect your business.