7 Restaurant Industry Trends for 2024
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.
Key Restaurant Industry Trends Shaping 2024
1. Service Fees: A New Normal for Full-Service Restaurants
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.
2. Value-Driven Menus and Smaller Price Hikes
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.
3. Streamlined Menus with an Emphasis on Snacks and Beverages
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.
4. AI Adoption and Labor-Saving Technology
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.
5. Tech-Enhanced Employee Retention and Productivity
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.
6. Personalized Loyalty Programs and Guest Engagement
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.
7. Development Challenges and Franchise Growth
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.
Embracing Change with AAA Food Handler
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.
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Thanks for everything, I learn
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Interesante
Es muy interesante, aprendí y reforcé mucho conocimiento
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Fue muy instructivo el curso
Nuevos e interesantes conocimientos
es increible descubrir nuevas cosas en un entrenamiento tan corto, que no solo te ayudan a nivel de negocio si no tambien en tu hogar. Una bonita experiencia y no es aburrido, en lo personal me parecio muy importante y provechoso.
Good
It was interesting, entertaining and understandable.
Doy las 5 estrenas por su ayuda
Fue algo educativo para la iguiene del Trabago Laboral y de mucha ayuda
bueno
fue un examen bueno
importante Conover sobre los patogenos, asi evitamos una epidemia
Creo que todos deberiamos saber Como almacenar los Alimentos en casa tambien
very nice
very nice
Great experience
Easy training
Is good
Is Good in
Me gusto saber cómo manipular correctamente la comida y me gustaría saber más,,,,,
Es interesante y nesesario saber correctamente esta información sobre la temperatura de la comida antes y después de cocinarla y también cómo es que nosotros mismos la podemos contaminar
Estoy feliz de aver tomando este curso,,
Basura
Simply crap…. Is like a machine made it and no human revised it lol navigation is not intuitive and at times there is two dialogues happening at the same time….. way to waste my time…. At least I’m on the clock -.-
MUY ENTRETENIDO
Usualmente el leer me abruma demasiado y el pensar que tengo que memorizar me produce estrés pero este curso fue toda una maravilla
No Title
No Title
Es importante tomar clases de diferentes formas de cómo prevenir enfermedades.
Ya que logramos reducir enfermedades
Exam
Good training
Good
Good training
Food Handler Reviews
4.9
Good
Thanks for everything, I learn
No Title
Interesante
Es muy interesante, aprendí y reforcé mucho conocimiento
No Title
Fue muy instructivo el curso
Nuevos e interesantes conocimientos
es increible descubrir nuevas cosas en un entrenamiento tan corto, que no solo te ayudan a nivel de negocio si no tambien en tu hogar. Una bonita experiencia y no es aburrido, en lo personal me parecio muy importante y provechoso.
Good
It was interesting, entertaining and understandable.
Doy las 5 estrenas por su ayuda
Fue algo educativo para la iguiene del Trabago Laboral y de mucha ayuda
bueno
fue un examen bueno
importante Conover sobre los patogenos, asi evitamos una epidemia
Creo que todos deberiamos saber Como almacenar los Alimentos en casa tambien
very nice
very nice
Great experience
Easy training
Is good
Is Good in
Me gusto saber cómo manipular correctamente la comida y me gustaría saber más,,,,,
Es interesante y nesesario saber correctamente esta información sobre la temperatura de la comida antes y después de cocinarla y también cómo es que nosotros mismos la podemos contaminar
Estoy feliz de aver tomando este curso,,
Basura
Simply crap…. Is like a machine made it and no human revised it lol navigation is not intuitive and at times there is two dialogues happening at the same time….. way to waste my time…. At least I’m on the clock -.-
MUY ENTRETENIDO
Usualmente el leer me abruma demasiado y el pensar que tengo que memorizar me produce estrés pero este curso fue toda una maravilla
No Title
No Title
Es importante tomar clases de diferentes formas de cómo prevenir enfermedades.
Ya que logramos reducir enfermedades
Exam
Good training
Good
Good training
Starting at $6.95
FOOD MANAGER
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Great Course
Easy to navigate and great information.
Great in-depth training module.
I took the Food Handlers class, this is simply like that one just more in depth.
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Great detailed info in video form
I had started my food manager exam with a different source that was harder to follow. This was easy and I learned the material better.
Very Informative
Information was clear and explained well
Manager
Its always great to learn new things!
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Great training video
Learn more about the knowledge
Get more updates information about this industry!
Very informative!
I love that you are able to go back and rewatch the videos that you want to rewatch. They give great example of how things work and actually make it easy to follow along.
Great Course, easy to navigate.
The course is very easy to follow, informative and provided all the necessary information required to achieve success.
Easy to follow and stay engaged
No Title
learned a lot more in depth about food service rather than the basic food handler permit!
Very informative
Easy to use
Very detail and to the point
been in the food industry for more than 12 years but picked up lot of new and updated information
from the course.
Easy
Quick easy and to the point
Food manager training course
Great visuals/audio to represent and teach individuals how to practice safe managerial roles in food business’
Great training!
I enjoyed this training and found it very easy to navigate!
Excellent learning material
Great course
Informative. I believe the time temperature controls, food borne illness and sanitation are the most important.
Food Manager Reviews
4.9
Great Course
Easy to navigate and great information.
Great in-depth training module.
I took the Food Handlers class, this is simply like that one just more in depth.
No Title
No Title
Great detailed info in video form
I had started my food manager exam with a different source that was harder to follow. This was easy and I learned the material better.
Very Informative
Information was clear and explained well
Manager
Its always great to learn new things!
No Title
Great training video
Learn more about the knowledge
Get more updates information about this industry!
Very informative!
I love that you are able to go back and rewatch the videos that you want to rewatch. They give great example of how things work and actually make it easy to follow along.
Great Course, easy to navigate.
The course is very easy to follow, informative and provided all the necessary information required to achieve success.
Easy to follow and stay engaged
No Title
learned a lot more in depth about food service rather than the basic food handler permit!
Very informative
Easy to use
Very detail and to the point
been in the food industry for more than 12 years but picked up lot of new and updated information
from the course.
Easy
Quick easy and to the point
Food manager training course
Great visuals/audio to represent and teach individuals how to practice safe managerial roles in food business’
Great training!
I enjoyed this training and found it very easy to navigate!
Excellent learning material
Great course
Informative. I believe the time temperature controls, food borne illness and sanitation are the most important.
Starting at $49.95
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It was Good
It was very straight forwards my only issue was with the speed it felt to slow for me, a custom speed option would be perfect.
Excellent
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Great information which I should know about
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Course
Very easy to follow
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beverage service
the training course was very helpful, and very user friendly
RBS
it was a long training but with everything that i need to know
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Informative & Easy to Navigate
Very intuitive and easy to use. Thank you!
Very well organized with graphics and sound.
I recommend this course.
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Review of RBS Training Course
The course was very educational and easy to follow. The course was very thorough in covering many aspects of serving alcohol.
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Alcohol Server Training
I really like it how they explain step by step
Alcohol Training Reviews
4.8
It was Good
It was very straight forwards my only issue was with the speed it felt to slow for me, a custom speed option would be perfect.
Excellent
Excellent
Great course
Easy and informative
No Title
Great information which I should know about
No Title
No Title
Course
Very easy to follow
No Title
No Title
beverage service
the training course was very helpful, and very user friendly
RBS
it was a long training but with everything that i need to know
No Title
Informative & Easy to Navigate
Very intuitive and easy to use. Thank you!
Very well organized with graphics and sound.
I recommend this course.
No Title
Review of RBS Training Course
The course was very educational and easy to follow. The course was very thorough in covering many aspects of serving alcohol.
No Title
No Title
n/a
N/A
Alcohol Server Training
I really like it how they explain step by step
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