- There is a lot of work involved in running a restaurant. Between concerns about food safety, ensuring the customers are happy and maintaining a reliable staff, the challenges can seem never-ending.
- One of the most challenging aspects of running a restaurant is keeping up with all of the current trends. From new products to different types of service options, it's important for your business to stay current with the trends.
- From price changes to including carry-out services, trends can make or break your restaurant. sre you ready to incorporate trendy changes into your business and what are the newest trends in restaurants?
Ready to face your business challenges head-on?
Running a restaurant is hard work. There are always new challenges in this ever-changing business landscape. But you knew that. But what you may be struggling with is how to deal with these steep challenges.
Business.com is here to help you navigate and solve these problems. Our goal is to bring you the best advice from industry experts, the latest reviews of the products and services you need, and the tools and analysis you need to assess your business goals and how you compare to other restaurants.
Understanding the industry
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) projected industry sales to be over $782 billion for 2016. This breaks down into commercial sales ($720.4 billion), noncommercial sales ($59.6 billion), and military restaurant services ($2.6 billion).
And while that might sound like a large number, consider that the average total bill per transaction is just $36.30. The takeaway is that the restaurant business is a fractured one made up of millions of customer transactions. Taken another way, it's millions of opportunities to build a loyal following or, alternately, alienate your customers.
As a restaurant owner, you already know that cultivating a loyal customer base is only one of the things you need to do to make your restaurant a success. You also need to navigate myriad industry challenges as well. Here's a look at what else you're likely facing.
Price pressure
Americans are cutting back when it comes to dining out, said Molly Harnischfeger, a director in the restaurant and foods services practice at consulting firm Alix Partners LLP. In a recent survey commissioned by the firm, only 15% of Americans said they will dine out more often than they did in the previous 12 months. This was the lowest average of the nine countries surveyed.
"Meanwhile, the survey results for just the U.S. show Americans estimating that [their] visits to fast-food establishments for any type of meal will fall 13 [percent] in the next 12 months," Harnischfeger said.
At the same time, those who are dining out are paying more attention to price. AlixPartners' global consumer survey found that 44% of those surveyed said price is the most important factor they consider when selecting which restaurant they will visit.
While customers are increasingly concerned about price, they also expect more for less. In particular, customers are increasingly demanding healthier and more sustainable food.
That trend adds up to higher costs for restaurants.
"Striking the right balance can be a very tricky equation," said chef, restaurant owner and founder of RD Culinary Consulting LLC, Ryan DePersio.
"Food cost and employee costs [should be] under 30%. Some restaurants even try to keep employee costs under 25%. Once you go over these percentages, you're losing good profits," DePersio said.
Staffing
Finding staff is also proving challenging. The National Restaurant Association projected that by the end of 2016, the restaurant industry would employ 14.4 million people. While the industry is expected to add 1.7 million jobs over the next decade, there are concerns when it comes to immigrant workers, which make up a large part of the industry's workforce.
"If the flow of immigrants slows down dramatically, we risk a major shortage in staff," said Jose Meirelles, owner of Le Marais Kosher Steakhouse in New York City.
While finding employees is one challenge, restaurants in many cities are facing growing pressure to increase the minimum wage they pay employees.
The new $15 minimum wage is a big financial challenge his restaurant will face, Meirelles said. To make up for these additional costs and the already thin profit margins, he suggested finding ways to cut costs without sacrificing food quality or service.
"Try to find ways to improve income by looking for other avenues like delivery, special events and promotions that allow [you] to maximize the downtimes," he said. Meirelles also advised restaurant owners to add other activities that bring people in on slower days or during less-busy times, which can offset the rising costs of owning a restaurant.
Technology
Technology, too, is creating all sorts of new challenges for restaurants. Whether it's reserving a table via mobile phone or paying one's bill with an iPad, restaurants are constantly having to meet customers' increasing demands for technology that improves their dining experience.
In fact, 39% of smartphone users said they would pay restaurant and bar tabs via a smartphone app if it's offered, according to the National Restaurant Association. A Zagat survey found that 52% of avid diners said they make restaurant reservations online.
Change in tastes
One of the most popular trends occurring in restaurants is a change in customer tastes. Many consumers are trying to incorporate healthier foods into their diet, which means they are more interested in poultry and rice as opposed to beef and corn. Plant-based foods are also becoming a trend for customers seeking a healthier diet. If you want to stand current with the wants and needs of your customers, it’s important to consider the addition of menu options, such as meat alternatives and meats that have been raised locally, without the use of antibiotics, steroids and hormones.
Takeout
Takeout foods are on the rise for a variety of reasons. Consumers often seek out restaurants that they know provide the option of getting their meal to go – whether it is through delivery or picking it up themselves. One way to jump on this trend is with an easy-to-use app. A food app for your restaurant can make it easy for consumers to quickly scan a carry-out menu, pay online and know when their order is ready for pickup.