The pandemic put the brakes on in-store traffic for a protracted and painful stretch of time, but it also amplified an already ravenous hunger for social and digital engagement with foodservice. Pre-pandemic, visually appealing items became viral sensations. (Think Starbucks' limited time Unicorn Frappucino, which showed almost unlimited viral appeal.)
Topics: Technology, Mobile, Delivery, Social Media, Sales & Profitability, Operations, COVID-19, Coronavirus, Fast-Casual Restaurant, Personalization
Tight margins and an increasingly competitive landscape may have given the foodservice industry cause for concern year after year, but nothing could have prepared it for the sweeping impact of COVID-19 in 2020. The seismic shift to off-premises channels as restrictions on dine-in service and prolonged suspensions of onsite dining took hold brought a feast of challenges and opportunities, changing the direction of foodservice for years to come.
Topics: Technology, Trends, Mobile, Takeout, Delivery, Foodservice Industry, Product Quality & Safety, Sales & Profitability, Operations, COVID-19, Coronavirus
As they scramble to make the most of the delivery phenomenon, foodservice operations seem to be waking up in a big way to the sales potential of breakfast delivery.
Topics: Technology, Millennials, Trends, Mobile, Brunch, Casual Dining Restaurant, Delivery, Breakfast, Snack, Grab-and-Go, Convenience, Foodservice Industry, Menu, Distribution, Menu Strategy, Food & Beverage, Sales & Profitability
As each new year nears, industry experts and research analysts serve up a smorgasbord of foodservice trends and offer insights into what to expect in the coming months. So how did the prognostications pan out in 2019? Reviewing a few overarching trends could provide valuable food for thought.
Topics: Technology, Millennials, Restaurant Operations, Trends, Mobile
The eyes have it! Social media has become a feeding frenzy for visually interesting culinary concepts. Starbucks Unicorn Frappucino may be the quintessential example of a concept that the eyes couldn’t help but drink in. The neon purple and blue concoction—so snap-worthy in its rich, colorful, almost confectionery appearance—seemed ready-made for the age of Instagram, where it generated 155,000 posts over the short course of its April 19-23, 2019 run dates.1
Topics: Technology, Millennials, Restaurant Operations, Promotions, Mobile
See how you can leverage 2020’s top trends to help tailor your menu for today’s evolving tastes.
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