3 emerging trends in the restaurant industry and how I see them fitting in to 2023.

A quick 3 minute read.

As we look forward to 2023, I continue to find myself in conversation with restaurant industry leaders talking about what we all think will happen throughout the year.

Well here are my predictions and thoughts on the subject, presented as my top 3.

I believe that the industry should be expected to continue to evolve rapidly in response to changing consumer preferences and the ever-evolving technological landscape, and these are my top three trends that I expect to dominate the restaurant industry in 2023.

Increased Use of Technology

One of the most significant trends that we expect to see in 2023 is the increased use of technology in restaurants. Technology has already begun to transform the restaurant industry in recent years, with the rise of mobile ordering and delivery apps, self-service kiosks, and even robotic chefs. In 2023, we expect to see even more innovation in this space.

One thing to strongly consider though, is that technology will not automatically reduce time, cost or labor % when you might think it will. There are several factors that go into impacting those things and it is critically important to understand the impact of tech in the business.

At Benchmark Sixty, providing a thorough understanding of this type of information is our specialty. Check it out here.

One great example of how technology can positively impact both the operation and the team is the way in which Notch Ordering painlessly automates invoices, payments and orders digitally.

If you are still doing any orders, payments or admin manually, you definitely need to speak with them.

Focus on Sustainability

Sustainability has become an increasingly important issue for consumers in recent years, and we expect this trend to continue in 2023. Restaurants that prioritize sustainability and environmental responsibility are likely to appeal to a growing number of consumers who are concerned about the impact of their food choices on the planet.

In response to this trend, we expect to see more restaurants adopting sustainable practices such as reducing food waste, using locally-sourced ingredients, and offering plant-based options. Restaurants may also invest in eco-friendly packaging, such as compostable or reusable containers, to reduce the amount of waste generated by takeout and delivery orders.

Emphasis on Health and Wellness

Finally, we anticipate that health and wellness will be a major focus for restaurants in 2023. In years past we have seen the rise of health and wellness from a guest perspective. From caloric information, to portion size and menu item selection we continue to see more and more restaurants increase their focus on providing healthy options for their guests.

There is no sign of this changing, likely ever... But I do predict that we begin to see a large increase in the number of companies who are proactively working to protect the health and wellness of their teams.

Culture and benefits are important pieces of this puzzle, however innovative strategies such as workload management and proactive workload protection are becoming more and more important.

Imagine being able to tell your team something like this...

"We have a specific KPI set to proactively tell us when the team is set up to be overworked so that we can better protect the employee experience, reduce undue stress, and lower turnover."

Learn to do this for your restaurant right now.

In conclusion, 2023 is likely to be an exciting year for the restaurant industry, with innovation, sustainability, and health and wellness taking center stage. By embracing these trends and investing in the latest technology and sustainable practices, restaurants can position themselves for success in the years to come.

Oh, one other thing... In case you didn't know... Adam Lamb and I chat about this type of stuff every Thursday on Turning the Table Podcast

If you haven't had a chance to check it out,?give us a listen right here. ?

If you have a topic, question, or recommended guest, we would love to hear from you.

Cheers,

Jim

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Ps, whenever you are ready here are a few other ways I help restaurateurs every day.

1. If you are looking for ways to negate rising labor costs, because wages are climbing and turnover is expensive, then I would recommend starting with something simple ->?“The Restaurant Manager’s Guide to Mastering Labor Cost” is on sale!
2. If you are a restaurant operator or owner who realizes that increased productivity, and lower turnover are the only responsible ways to succeed in our industry these days... I've got you covered. Let's connect for a discussion?Jim Taylor [email protected]
3. If you are a consultant, or service provider to the restaurant industry and you are looking to build your business in 2023, there is a spot for you right?here .