Restaurant Industry Trends - Food and Beverage

Tweens and teens influence the decision making of their friends and families, playing a large role in their dining choices. Fifty-eight percent of teens and 54 percent of tweens report that their family decides together which full-service restaurant to visit.

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts

Restaurant operators reported positive same-store sales for the sixth consecutive month;Operators’ outlook for sales growth and the economy hit a seven-month high

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts

As the New Year approaches, many Americans will make resolutions, often involving diets and healthy eating. Technomic has found that an increasing number of restaurants are able to meet these consumers' needs by creating dishes that are low in fat, calories and sugar and proudly describing these healthful properties. In fact, use of the word 'healthy' within menu descriptions has increased by 86 percent over the past year.

Update from Restaurantchains.net on growing and emerging restaurant concepts

While breakfast sales have grown steadily for restaurants, retailers and suppliers over the past few years, consumer data shows that the market is not yet saturated and there are still plenty of opportunities within this category.

Menu items with descriptions that reference gluten, cholesterol, sugar and other health-related topics are expanding on restaurant menus as more operators recognize that an increasing number of Americans require controlled diets.

The National Restaurant Association's 'What's Hot in 2012'survey of nearly 1,800 professional chefs – members of the American Culinary Federation (ACF) – reveals that children's nutrition and local sourcing will be the hottest trends on restaurant menus this coming year.

Competition in the foodservice industry is always fierce and restaurant chains are constantly jockeying for your business, money and attention in an overcrowded marketplace. However, in 2012 five trends outlined by Mintel Menu Insights will shape how operators appeal to their customers with regional and imported menu options, double-sided menus, customization and time-intensive preparation methods.