The food service industry is a competitive one, though there’s always room for everyone. With many delightful cuisines available to experiment with and different atmospheres and styles of dining, there’s room for everyone’s business—as long as you stay up to date with the 2023 restaurant trends that will keep you relevant.
As we enter 2023, let’s take a look at the trends that pop up time and time again so you can adapt your restaurant and keep your patrons coming back for more.
Sustainable Practices
In a world where many people are concerned about the environment and want to do their part to stay green, there has been a huge emphasis on sustainable practices in the food service industry. If a restaurant isn’t making a notable effort to be more sustainable, patrons may drift away and opt for somewhere that’s really trying.
So what does sustainability look like in practice?
Reduce Food Waste
Reducing food waste is a great way to make your restaurant more sustainable. Keep a close eye on your inventory and, when you do have waste, consider what can be donated to local causes rather than throwing it all in the trash.
Sustainable Packaging
If you do takeout and delivery food, opt for sustainable packaging over plastic that can’t be recycled. You can also try avoiding this material altogether by switching to paper straws and cups.
Reduce Delivery Emissions
If you have delivery drivers, try reducing their emissions. This could look like a few things:
- Finding the best routes and ensuring drivers stick to them
- Having drivers take multiple deliveries at a time
- Investing in electric vehicles if you want to go all-out
Technology Integration
In the digital age, technology is never going to become less relevant, and its integration is becoming more and more prominent. There are so many ways to utilize it as a restaurant, both when dining in and for takeout.
Consider having menus be a QR code on the table that patrons can scan and perhaps even order from. This eliminates the need for paper menus, saving on costs and being more green, and it can even reduce interaction between server and patron. For introverts and for the sake of health and safety in recent times, this can be huge!
You can also get on more delivery apps to make more money. UberEats, Doordash, and Grubhub are all popular delivery services that should be willing to take your business.
Health and Wellness
With more and more people becoming conscious of their health, it’s important to offer accommodating options. Make sure there are some low-fat options for those who’d rather not overindulge. That doesn’t mean giving your menu a salad-centric overhaul—it just means ensuring there’s something for everyone!
There’s also something to be said for acknowledging dietary restrictions. Why alienate a whole group when you could add an Impossible or bean burger to your menu or some kosher pizza?
Some dietary choices to consider include vegan, vegetarian, various allergies, lactose intolerance, and gluten intolerance. You should also be aware of your cooking practices—for example, that Impossible burger is not technically vegan if it’s cooked on the same grill as your beef burgers. While some plant-based dieters don’t mind cross-contamination, others do, so be upfront to avoid problems later. The same goes for your deep fryer.
The Importance of Outdoor Dining
Last, outdoor dining is becoming increasingly relevant in these times—and most people are glad for it. Some people who’ve been stuck in an office or working from home all week would much rather sit in the fresh air.
The Benefits
There are some great benefits to ensuring you have outdoor dining space, including:
- Increased restaurant capacity
- Appeal to dog owners if you’re willing to have a pet-friendly patio
- More traffic from people who pass by and see/smell the amazing food you have to offer
- More revenue as a result of all of the above
How to Curate a Great Outdoor Dining Space
If you do want to create a great outdoor space, it’s important to make it inviting, welcoming, and safe from the weather (especially if you live in a windy or rainy state). Restaurant patio enclosures are a great way to do this—you can roll them up when the weather is nice and let your patrons enjoy the sunshine, and protect them from bad weather while allowing them to still enjoy the outdoors.
You should also make sure to keep the space cozy and inviting. Patio heaters are a great way to ensure it stays warm in the winter months, and decorative lighting draws people in. String lights are always a hit!
Invest in Enclosure Guy’s Patio Enclosures Today
Looking for commercial restaurant patio enclosures to suit your space? Check out Enclosure Guy’s clear vinyl curtains today.
They have a number of benefits, including:
- Weather-proof (both rain- and wind-tested up to 65 mph!)
- Secure fastenings
- The ability to close and open them at will
- Custom-fitted to your patio
- Protection for your patrons and your furniture
We have many years of experience behind us and are always willing to answer questions and find the best fit for you. If you’re interested in keeping your restaurant relevant and upping your revenue in 2023 as you draw in more patrons, contact us through our website for a quick quote or call us today with your questions at (830) 445-4500.