The fast-casual and quick service restaurant (QSR) industry is an ever-changing entity that demands constant attention and development. With well over half a million QSR locations across the US it’s no surprise the value of the industry is expected to hit nearly $691 billion by 2021.
With that being said, here are five of the top QSR industry trends for 2020 your business can leverage to help position your restaurant for success:
Ghost kitchens
No matter where you are, purchasing or renting a space for your restaurant is quite pricey and can reach well over a million dollars in some places, and with the rise in popularity of online ordering and delivery services it seems like less customers are dining in, but rather are ordering take-out. So, what’s the solution?
Many restauranteurs are now turning to the power of ghost kitchens. These are shared kitchen spaces where restaurants can rent space to prepare meals for delivery. Not only do these spaces help restaurants save money, but in some places they’ve even been able to allow an additional 10-20 percent increase in sales each week.
Sustainability as a necessity
Sustainability is more than just a QSR industry trend for many restaurant goers, it’s a way they plan their meals and choose restaurants. Consumers are turning a weary eye away from commercial farming and highly processed food to look for more environmentally conscious meals.
Plant-based foods such as plant-based meats, soy milks, and vegan options are gaining immense popularity and many QSRs are taking advantage of this by planning their meals and menus around what customers desire from their restaurants.
Rise in popularity of 3rd party delivery services
Smartphones and mobile technology make it easier than ever to place orders for food on the go. Not to mention, customers no longer have to worry about whether or not some of their favorite restaurants deliver thanks to 3rd party delivery apps and services.
In fact, the number of food delivery app downloads is up 380% compared to three years ago. The number of these app downloads are only expected to keep rising, and as they become increasingly popular, more restaurant tech, such as point of sale systems, advances to keep up with this trend.
Attracting quality labor
Relying on a quality source of labor is a big part of running a restaurant, especially when it comes to your QSR. Although it’s not a new trend in the industry, it is still very important moving into 2020.
When it comes to attracting, managing, and keeping a quality source of labor for your restaurant, leveraging the right technology solution can help restaurant owners and managers handle labor more efficiently and effectively. For example, a cloud-based POS and reporting system can help you manage your labor from any device with an internet connection.
Development of restaurant technology
One of, if not the biggest QSR industry trends for 2020 is the continuous development of restaurant technology. Not only are POS systems and online ordering platforms taking rise, but many other developments are creating a new restaurant environment for consumers. Some of the top restaurant tech trends we’re predicting for 2020 include:
- More, ever-changing payment options are making it easier for customers to purchase and pay for meals the way they want
- Self-order kiosks will give customers the freedom to customize their orders
- Apps and POS integrations will continue to develop and make restaurant management easier than ever
QSR industry trends for you:
The quick service industry is constantly evolving—especially when it comes to the technology your restaurant needs to succeed. That’s why you need a trusted QSR technology partner to guide you through the industry trends and developments as they occur.
Turn to the restaurant experts at ERC Hospitality Systems to help be your restaurant ally. Contact us today to help take your restaurant to new heights in 2020.
