6 Top 2019 Restaurant Trends:
Every year the trends in the restaurant industry change. Customers expect new and different experiences when they dine out. However, less and less people are dining out these days as food prices rise and paychecks stay relatively unchanged in size for many Americans. The overall trend is that this is forcing people to eat at home more as restaurant prices continue to be higher than what food costs in supermarkets if patrons are to buy it and take it home and prepare their own meals.
In this money-conscious and money-tight era for many Americans, the following are the biggest restaurant trends (and struggles) we are noticing for the year 2019 as it comes down the pipeline:
Dangers of Raising Menu Prices For Restaurants:
In 2018, we saw the average restaurant menu prices go up 2.6% whereas food in the local supermarket only rose about 0.5% in cost. Many more people are therefore opting to eat at home, which is cutting into restaurant sales and making it harder for restaurants to continue to stay open in the future.
Possibilities of Increased Tariffs:
If the Trump administration passes additional tariffs that raise the prices of many electronics and appliances, that will further hurt the restaurant industry. Many of these tariffs could apply to restaurant-related items such as refrigerators, microwaves, ovens, stoves, etc. and other appliances that come from anywhere outside the US. The problem with that is that many big brands come from places other than within the US and those tariffs will cost restaurants additional
Fast-Casual Dining Takes Over:
In the generation the Millennial where everything seems to move at warp speed, sit-down restaurants are becoming less popular choices among our youngest generations. Such chains are taking aim at a more upscale experience (and price point) than fast food restaurant but the waits for food are generally shorter than they would be at a fast food restaurant. These are your chains like Chipotle or even Shake Shack, which are past the point of over-saturating the market. These restaurants allow you to go to the counter and place your order to be sure you get exactly what you came in for. Many will let you help yourself to drinks and sit down and wait for your food. Some places may bring your food to you but there are no waiters to take away trays, a refill on your drinks, or to wait on you if you want more condiments or napkins All that is gotten by yourself. The other catch is that many of these restaurants are not at the fast-food price levels. Many of these restaurants can cost just as much if not more than your average sit-down dining experience. This includes $12-15 price points per meal and sometimes wines that can cost $15-20 per serving. It’s not uncommon for two or three people to pay $50-75+ for a meal.
Other things that we have noticed are missing in these places: no tablecloths, flowers, waiters, busing tables, etc. and definitely no reservations either. Another abnormality: no one is tipped for service as you essentially service yourself. There is also little elbow room in many of these places as they jam many people into the place as they can.
