In the last 5 years, the fast-casual sector has seen a 6% increase in growth year over year. Its popularity continues to rise, and it’s no wonder: as people lead busier lives and become more accustomed to fast and convenient service, fast-casual is the obvious choice for customers looking to grab a quick bite to eat.
However, convenience isn’t the only customer preference. More and more are choosing restaurants that offer first-class experiences over their competitors.
Here are a few restaurant trends that you can leverage to provide these experiences:
Atmosphere
The atmosphere of your restaurant plays a huge role in the impression you give to your customers and the overall customer experience. A big part of what makes a luxurious experience is the look and feel.
Keeping your restaurant clean, setting appropriate lighting, and selecting the right music creates an enjoyable atmosphere that customers will want to experience over and over again. Whether you go for a classy and romantic setting, or industrial shabby-chic, everything must lend itself to the atmosphere.
Don’t leave out small details, either. You may not think your customers notice your bulky POS terminal, but in a setting where everything else is sleek and sophisticated, outdated tech sticks out like a sore thumb. Smaller, more mobile technology like tablets and handhelds offer an upscale look and feel.
Fresh Ingredients
The ingredients you use make a difference. Nobody wants to look down at their plate and see wilted spinach or stale bread. Customers demand fresh ingredients over processed food, and are more health-conscious than ever.
One of the most popular restaurant trends is offering local farm-to-table cuisine. Local ingredients are a great selling point that can bring more people into a restaurant. Plus, you can usually work with local growers and farmers to get great deals.
By sourcing the freshest ingredients locally, you can cut the time it takes to get the ingredients from the source to your restaurant, which helps preserve freshness and cut down on waste from spoilage.
High-Class Technology
As mentioned, the look and feel of your technology is important in maintaining a first-class atmosphere, but that’s not the only important factor. The functionality of your technology is also critical. Cutting-edge technology is one of the most important and influential restaurant trends that can improve your customer experience and increase your profits.
Some of the most important technology solutions to invest in include:
- Sophisticated POS
- Computer systems
- Peripherals
- Kitchen display system (KDS)
A sophisticated POS, with the right computer and peripherals, can minimize downtime and increase efficiency. A KDS helps ensure orders are accurate and fast. Just one inaccurate order is enough to ruin a customer’s experience and drive them to your competitors, so it’s critical that orders are made correctly the first time.
Restaurant Trends
Fast-casual restaurants are still growing, and from the looks of it, they aren’t going away anytime soon. Restaurant owners of every style and concept can leverage these fast-casual restaurant trends to improve customer satisfaction and boost their brands.
Logic Controls provides powerful tech tools that you can employ to provide a luxury experience and set yourself apart from the competition. Our solutions are designed to elevate the look and feel of your restaurant, as well as improve speed, organization, and productivity.
For more information on the restaurant technology we offer and which restaurant trends will offer more revenue, contact Logic Controls today.
