Changing Times for Foodservice Operators

Changing Times for Foodservice Operators
By Dwayne Reno

Many things are changing in the foodservice industry. Some of these changes are happening slowly while others are happening at a pace that many restaurants, bars and cafes cannot keep up with. This week I would like to look at changes on the horizon for foodservice operators and some of the changes which have already taking place.

Accommodating Millennials – Slow Change
This has been a slow process for foodservice operators. As millennial spending slowly outgrows boomer spending we are seeing foodservice operators scramble to accommodate millennials. Recently McDonalds Canada has stated they will invest 200,000 – 250,000 to overhaul each restaurant in Canada.

“The renovations are underway at 100 GTA locations. Then they’ll continue at most stores across the province before the rest of Canada gets the so-called ‘Restaurant of the Future’ treatment from Mickey D,” says McDonalds Canada’s Ontario Reginal Vice President, Victor Rocca. Click here for the full article.

Evolving Menu Options – Slow Change
Menu choices available to customers are starting to evolve and will continue over time. Many foodservice operators are evolving their menu options in an attempt to cope with rising food costs and changing customer lifestyles. Recently The Thrillist released an article on their website titled “Chefs Callout Foods That Should Be Retired from Menus”.

The article features chefs talking about menu items that in their opinion are being over used by foodservice operators. The article is very interesting, here. Foodservice customers are becoming increasingly tech savvy and more aware of the food they put in their bodies, continue to evolve your menu options so your restaurant, bar or café doesn’t get left behind.

Snacking at restaurants – Already Happening
Snacking at restaurants has been on the rise for some time now. And with Canadians snacking as frequently as twice a day” according to Technomic’s 2016 Snacking Occasions Consumer Trend Report, it’s no surprise that large fast food franchises are taking snacking very seriously. Recently Starbucks announced the first three locations in Canada to launch the new Starbucks Evenings menu.

Since April 5th, three stores in Toronto have been offering the expanded menu as of 2:00 p.m. each day. The Starbucks evening menu features savoury food designed around small plates for sharing and snacking. See the full article here.

Another takeaway from the Technomic’s reported stated that “bundled mix-and-match snack options could drive sales; 34% of consumers say they're likely to order these options at restaurants." Snacking occasions are a great potential for profit and won't cost you anything to implement. Also checkout my article titled Canadians Snacking More at Restaurants for tips on how to implement a snack occasion menu at your restaurant, bar or café, here.

Also if you would like to know more about how BBA's core and secondary services can help your restaurant, bar or cafe, here.

Until next time your customers want to know why they should spend money at your restaurant, bar or cafe. So give them the goods!

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