Accelerated by the pandemic, the technological revolution reshaping foodservice encompasses all segments, and vending is no exception. In fact, some of the most amazing advances are found in vending machines, which have gone from simple stand-ins for quick snacks to go-to sources of an ever-widening variety of hot and cold meals.
Va-Va-Vending: Technology Transforms Vending Machines into 24/7 Restaurants
Topics: Technology, Trends, Vending, Labor, Micro Markets & Vending, COVID-19, Coronavirus
No Bot About It: Big Restaurant Brands Love Robotic Labor Solutions
There’s been a lot of anticipation and speculation about the role robotics will play in the future of foodservice. But the fact is, robotics has already arrived, and their presence is expanding across the competitive landscape.
Topics: Technology, Trends, Labor, Sales & Profitability, Operations, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Digital/Online Ordering
How Noncommercial Operators Can Maximize Sales With Prepackaged Snacks
Nine in 10 adults now snack more often than before the COVID-19 pandemic1—and due to efforts to limit close contact to reduce the virus’ spread, prepackaged items have become a popular choice.
Foodservice provider Morrison Healthcare, which works with more than 800 hospitals and healthcare systems, has seen a notable uptick in prepackaged snack interest during the past 18 months—although Jeffrey Quasha, Morrison’s director of retail culinary innovation, says customers have actually been drawn to prepackaged options for several years.
Topics: Snacking, Vending, Noncommercial, Specialty Coffee Shop, Business & Industry, College & University, Healthcare, Lodging, Commercial, Snack, Single-Serve, belVita Breakfast Biscuits, OREO, Senior Living, Grab-and-Go, Labor, Convenience, Foodservice Industry, Menu, Customer Experience, Flavors & Ingredients, Food & Beverage, Micro Markets & Vending, Packaging, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Coronavirus, Indulgence, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), Prepackaged, Safety & Sanitation, Food Waste, Waste Reduction, Functional, Healthful, Micro Market, Cafeteria, Office Coffee Service (OCS), Healthful Snacking, Grocery, State of SnackingTM Report
Labor Challenges and the Impact They’re Having on the Road to Recovery
In 2020, the foodservice industry experienced its sharpest sales decline in history, due in part to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Signs indicate sales are on the rise within the sector. However, ongoing labor shortages may be preventing some operators from reaching their pre-pandemic volume level.
Turnover rates have reached 144% at limited-service establishments and 106% at full-service restaurants—which are operating with six fewer employees in the back of the house and roughly three less front-of-house workers than in 2019.
Topics: Technology, Noncommercial, Promotions, Family Restaurant, Business & Industry, Healthcare, Commercial, Casual Dining Restaurant, Grab-and-Go, Labor, Foodservice Industry, Menu, Customer Experience, Menu Strategy, Retail, Sales & Profitability, Recruitment & Retention, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Off-Premises, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), Prepackaged, Digital/Online Ordering, Touchless, On-Premises, Foodservice, Workplace, Contactless Payments
Time-Tested: Which Pandemic Practices Could Become Permanent?
Over the past year and a half, operators have addressed emerging pandemic-related consumer preference, safety and other needs by introducing innovative menu and operational changes—and a number have shown some staying power.
Topics: Technology, Promotions, Marketing & Communications, Mobile, Independents, Family Restaurant, Takeout, Business & Industry, Quick Service Restaurant, Casual Dining Restaurant, Ice Cream/Yogurt Shop, Delivery, Meal Kits, Donuts/Pancakes/Waffles, Cookies/Bars/Snacks, Ice Cream Desserts, Cakes/Cupcakes, Breakfast, Dessert, Snack, Holidays, Chocolate, CHIPS AHOY!, OREO, Family, Cookies, Dessert Ingredients, Grab-and-Go, Labor, Convenience, Foodservice Industry, Menu, Creative Inspiration, Customer Experience, Consumer, Flavors & Ingredients, Menu Strategy, Food & Beverage, Sales & Profitability, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Curbside Pickup, Fast-Casual Restaurant, Off-Premises, Consumer Behavior, Value, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), Nostalgia, Digital/Online Ordering, Touchless, On-Premises, Foodservice, Sweet, Fresh