What a difference a few years can make. It’s been over two years since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic, and while the light at the end of the tunnel has flickered and faded at times, bright spots have emerged and expanded to illuminate a feast of opportunities and recharge our sense of optimism.
Topics: Technology, Trends, Mobile, Delivery, Sales & Profitability, Operations, Drive-Thru, Curbside Pickup, Off-Premises, Digital/Online Ordering
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
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
Read about 6 Trends Changing and Challenging the Foodservice Status Quo in 2022
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