The restaurant industry is bracing for another year of challenges in 2024 as familiar pressures like inflation, price-sensitive customers, and rising operational costs continue to impact businesses across the board. With capital remaining scarce and traffic sluggish, restaurant operators are navigating a tough landscape, prompting many to seek out innovative solutions to stay competitive.
As Bryan Solar, Chief Product Officer at SpotOn, puts it, “Right now is the hardest it has ever been in the past 25-plus years of running restaurants.“
To tackle these issues, industry experts foresee restaurants embracing new technologies, including artificial intelligence, to streamline operations and cut labor costs. Service fees may become more common, helping restaurants manage labor expenses and retain employees, but the challenge will be balancing this with customer expectations.
Meanwhile, brands are also experimenting with menu options and beverage customization to appeal to younger, value-conscious diners and drive off-peak traffic. These trends, along with others, will shape the strategies that define the restaurant industry in 2024.
Read on to discover the seven key trends to watch for in the coming year.
Service fees are becoming increasingly common, particularly in regions where minimum wages for restaurant workers are rising, such as Washington, D.C. and Chicago. These fees, often ranging between 4% and 23%, help operators cover employee benefits like health care and stable wages.
While these fees can boost employee retention by insulating staff from unpredictable tips, there’s a risk of alienating price-sensitive customers. Restaurant owners need to strike a balance between offering competitive compensation and managing customer expectations around pricing transparency.
As restaurants adjust, education and transparency are key. AAA Food Handler provides valuable food safety and management training to help restaurant operators streamline operations while complying with regulations. Their expertise helps owners navigate new trends, ensuring staff are well-trained and equipped for the evolving restaurant landscape.
Inflation-driven price hikes will moderate in 2024. Instead of steep increases, restaurants will look to raise prices by 3-5%, down from the double-digit hikes seen in 2023. With consumers reaching their spending limit, restaurants will focus on delivering value. Chains like Church’s Chicken are re-engineering their menus to offer more cost-effective options without compromising on quality.
Value engineering, paired with menu innovation, can be a game changer in retaining customers. As customers tighten their budgets, experimenting with pricing configurations while maintaining quality will be essential for survival.
Efficiency is crucial in 2024, with many chains streamlining their menus to reduce operational complexity. However, snack items and customizable beverage offerings are expected to grow. Restaurants are capitalizing on mid-afternoon traffic by offering caffeinated beverages, smoothies, and energy-boosting snacks to appeal to younger consumers.
McDonald’s new CosMc concept is an example of this trend, emphasizing customizable, functional drinks that appeal to snacking occasions. The focus on beverages as destination drivers reflects an industry shift towards innovation and meeting consumer demand for variety.
The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in restaurants is expanding, particularly in the back-of-house. AI-powered kitchen systems will help operators optimize efficiency, manage order flow and reduce prep times. While customer-facing technology like kiosks and AI-driven drive-thrus will enhance convenience, the real impact will be felt behind the scenes.
AAA Food Handler plays a vital role in this shift by offering food safety training that integrates modern technology, ensuring restaurant employees can work more efficiently while maintaining safety standards. Operators are also increasingly adopting handheld devices to speed up table service, enhancing guest experiences and increasing sales. The move to automate repetitive tasks will allow restaurant staff to focus on high-value hospitality moments.
With labor shortages improving only slightly, restaurants are focusing on technology to handle repetitive tasks, allowing staff to focus on guest interactions. Tools like kiosks and order-at-table devices free up workers to engage more meaningfully with customers while also driving sales through upselling opportunities.
Automation isn’t just about reducing headcount; it’s about improving labor productivity. Restaurants are embracing tech solutions, such as AI-driven systems and back-office automation, to simplify tasks like employee scheduling and supply management. Implementing this tech can also lead to improved employee satisfaction and retention—key elements to maintaining operational efficiency.
Personalization has become a cornerstone of loyalty programs, with restaurants moving towards tailored offers based on consumer behavior. Chains can target individual preferences by leveraging customer data, driving repeat visits and higher spending. Mobile apps and online ordering systems are making it easier for restaurants to track and respond to customer preferences.
Starbucks is a prime example, having revolutionized the customer experience with its highly personalized app that caters to quick, seamless transactions. In 2024, expect more full-service restaurants to introduce similar systems that remember past orders and offer personalized perks, enhancing the dining experience.
Despite high construction and interest costs, franchising remains a strong driver of growth. Operators are minimizing buildout costs by downsizing restaurant footprints without compromising on sales volume. The trend towards smaller units with multiple guest queues, as seen with Church’s Chicken, allows restaurants to maintain high efficiency in less space.
AAA Food Handler offers training that helps restaurant operators navigate the complexities of development, ensuring food safety and operational efficiency are maintained throughout expansion.
In an industry where innovation and adaptability are paramount, AAA Food Handler offers essential food safety training and management guidance to help restaurant owners navigate new trends and regulations. With expertise in food handling and training, AAA Food Handler ensures that restaurants remain compliant, efficient, and ready for the future.
In 2024, the ability to adapt to these trends—through the adoption of new technologies, innovative menu offerings, and strategic development decisions—will be key to staying competitive in a challenging market.
There was a problem reporting this post.
Please confirm you want to block this member.
You will no longer be able to:
Please note: This action will also remove this member from your connections and send a report to the site admin. Please allow a few minutes for this process to complete.
Me gustó mucho el curso, repase los conceptos y técnicas de seguridad para la correcta manipulación de los alimentos
Me gusto esta clase porque fue muy util y beneficiaria para mi
Good
Me di cuenta que es importante y que estaría bueno que toda la gente debería de conocer el curso
Todos debemos hacer este curso
Todos debemos de llevar este curso todos en general
Aprendí muchas cosas que realmente ni se imagina
exelente pero tarda para dar el certificado
En mi opinion fue muy buena saver sobre los cudados adecuado sobre el proseso de alimento y la igene
Its very easy tanks
Very easy
Very easy
Buena información para los manipuladores de alimentos
very good and simple
Wonderful
I’ve finished this course within two weeks period. It was very informative, helpful, and fun to interact with. Highly recommended!
easy to maneuver and very to the point. great graphics.
It was a great course. And complete knowledge of all things in the food service industry.
Very educational information
Very easy to follow lecture
It was an easy to understand course and at the same time fun
This training was very helpful on getting me ready to take the exam.
this was so much easier than sitting in a class room for two days
you can go at your own pace
Es un buen curso, muy completo y fácil de entender, da muchas preguntas de prueba y da muchos ejemplos.
The course was great, easy to use. the practice questions were helpful.
Easy to understand in a way my brain can grasp the program! I don’t feel nervous now when I’m about to take the test and that goes a long way!
Very Informative
Very simple and easy to remember. Highly recommend.
The content was easy to comprehend, and the use of graphics and pictures made it enjoyable.
Very easy ro use and starigjt to the point
MUY COMPLETO EINTERESANTE
Overall, this was a very simple and easy to follow course.
Learned some good info
Overall, the training offered was informative. However, there are parts of the testing process which included questions not covered in the specific modules previously viewed (although were covered in later modules). Also, you can’t “rewind” the training during a specific module unless you go to start the module over. This makes it difficult to relisten to important info from that specific module.
it was worth it but a little bit too expensive
H
It forces you to pay attention and gives a lot and more depth information about alcohol service and consumption!
Training was engaging and easy to understand.
It was easy to follow.
Great training
great
Clearly presented information
I feel this covers more in details of the requirements and laws of being an alcohol server. Definitely one of the better courses I have taken.
Good
Great and easy
Everyone should know this info.
it was pretty I learned a lot
Not very hard, just allot of information
1 hours ago
3 hours ago
6 hours ago
2 hours ago
2 hours ago
7 hours ago
55 minutes ago
1 hour ago
2 hours ago