2016 Restaurant Menu Trends
The restaurant industry is constantly changing. In the competitive world of food service, it’s important to stay well ahead of the year’s industry trends. Menu design for sustainability, interesting new flavors, and convenience are becoming more important to your customers this year. In order to help you stay on trend, we’re bringing you the top 10 restaurant trends for 2016.
Locally Sourced Meat and Seafood
Your customers are becoming more and more concerned about where their food comes from. Not only do they want the freshest ingredients, they also want to lower their impact on the environment by making the best choices when it comes to food.
Hyper-Local Food
In addition to local meats, customers want to see more local produce on the menu. For many diners, the closer the better when it comes to fruits and vegetables.
Fast Casual
Busy diners are flocking to fast casual restaurants, but speed isn’t their only concern. These customers want quality as well as speed, making chef-driven fast casual restaurants a major contender in the foodservice industry for 2016.
Convenience
Services such as Amazon and Uber are paving the way for convenience for today’s consumers. Restaurants should tap into this trend by making their food as easy as buying a new book on Amazon or catching a ride with Uber.
Clean Menus
Health concerns may cause diners to cook at home rather than dine out, but if your restaurant offers plenty of healthy options you can keep customers coming through the door. A well designed menu can keep your customers coming back for more great, healthy options.
Healthier Kids Options
Typical kids’ menus may offer items such as chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese for picky eaters, but parents are starting to expect more creative and healthier options for their children. This year, you need to think out of the box when it comes to feeding younger guests.
Sustainability
Along with locally sourced food, diners want to know that their dinner comes from sustainable sources, especially when it comes to seafood. A well designed menu featuring locally sourced meat, seafood, and produce will attract diners looking to enjoy a great, ethical meal.
Spice It Up
Customers aren’t just looking for restaurants to turn up the heat, they are also craving more variety in seasonings and flavors. Fusion options are a great way to add new flavors to your current menu while staying true to your restaurant’s vision.
Comfort Foods
Although your customers may be looking for more healthy options in 2016, they also want a good opportunity to indulge in their favorite comfort foods like southern fried chicken and artisan ice cream pairings. A well balanced menu will allow diners to get the best of both worlds, offering comfort food indulgences and healthier options.
Food Trucks
Diners are flocking to food trucks that offer convenience and new twists on old classics such as fusion tacos and dessert sandwiches. These roaming restaurants are a great way to extend your business by offering your most popular dishes at events and near office buildings during lunchtime.
Staying current with new restaurant trends is essential to competing in the foodservice industry. If you’re ready to jump on one of these trends or take a new direction with your restaurant, contact TRG Restaurant Consulting. Our experienced consultants can help you design the best menu to keep your diners coming back for more.
