Each year I would return home from the National Restaurant Association Show in Chicago and wonder which of the latest trends I had just witnessed would take South Africa by storm? There was the Low-Carb/No-Carb Trend, the Zero Trans Fats, the Organic Trend, The Mini Dessert Portion Trend, the Health Trend and the ‘that looks like another trend’ trend.
For some reason none of them really seemed to find a place in South African mainstream and when I was offered the opportunity to research restaurant trends for 2011, I was once again more than a little sceptical about how relevant it is to our market. So here are 11 international predictions for 2011 and how I feel they will be received in South Africa.
Restaurant operators can’t be certain about much for 2011, as recent improvements in guest traffic, same-store sales and hiring are far from guaranteed to continue. About the only thing they can expect as they hope for traction in the economy’s wobbly recovery is that the industry will continue to look different than it does today.
In forecasting what changes may lie ahead, Chicago-based market research firm Technomic Inc. identified 11 restaurant industry trends for next year.Read more.
