3 More Food Industry Trends for 2023

Trend 1: Staying Sharp 

Customers are defining the “value” of food differently. The number one thing on their mind is the addition of nutritional benefits. As consumers work on stretching their dollars, they’re looking for easier ways to get the nutrients they need.  

Consumers aren’t just looking for nutrients to boost their physical health; they’re looking for things to boost their cognitive and emotional functions. How can the food they eat integrate ingredients into a holistic diet plan?

Food industry professionals must focus on food high in nutrition, with natural ingredients. Staying sharp on the types of trending nutrients, like probiotics, can give restaurants and food producers the upper edge.

Integrating Technology

In terms of technology use, we don’t just mean the digitized order kiosks at fast food restaurants (which will become more popular in the coming years) as a reaction to the need for contactless dining. And we’ve all heard of robot servers or line cooks.

Many fast food chains like Mcdonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts have apps for mobile ordering and rewards programs. That’s not new. In the coming years, more and more restaurants will lean into smartphone accessibility for their customers.

Marketing Agency Movable Ink predicts that 56% of quick-serve restaurant sales will be digital by 2025. We anticipate they’ll use similar mobile platforms to order food, equipment, and more.

How consumers access food is going to mimic other digital areas of life. We pay a flat rate for TV and movie subscription services, monthly clothing boxes, and even subscribe to toilet paper deliveries. Why not for food? Restaurants are going to start experimenting with customers paying a monthly rate for specific numbers of meals.

Trend 2: Better Workplace Environments

We’ve seen this trend starting already, but 2023 will put even more power back in the hands of food industry workers. What many once thought of (and some still do) as a starter or temporary gig will have more and more employee benefits.

National Restaurant News predicts that more and more restaurants and other food industry companies will offer health insurance, vacation time, and shorter work weeks. These standards appear for many industries, and restaurants aren’t far behind.

New companies are creating platforms for service to be more of a gig economy, offering even more schedule flexibility. Restaurants need to provide incentives to retain employees.

Flexible shifts and hours will be paramount in 2023 and beyond. Many apps like Schedulefly and 7Shifts allow workers to give up and pick up shifts on their phones. Food industry jobs are often unusual hours with days off midweek.

Many stay in these positions because the unusual, flexible schedule allows for better times for recreation or necessary life duties. Employers need to accommodate workers, allowing them to utilize these flexible schedules.

Trend 3: Cosmic Comforts

So often, when writers and artists look to the future, they look to outer space. Would it shock you that that is becoming a reality, even in the food industry?

As Earth endures more chaos, space will become a source of optimism, innovation, and connection. Centered around escapism, food and drink markets will begin to take inspiration from space-inspired technologies and innovations.

It does start with efficiency and sustainability, which certainly aren’t new. However, 2023 will see a jump in resource-efficient agriculture. This agriculture mainly recycles water and uses food waste and manure as fertilizer.

When we talk about total nutritional benefits consumers highly value, we have to mention powdered protein. What’s a better way to get all your nutrition than in a water bottle? That’s very cosmic. Even freeze-dried foods are coming out of their standard lanes of novelty and into the mainstream.

The increased use of technology is also futuristic. The kiosks and digital platforms shouldn’t replace workers. Instead, they could support processes and increase efficiency.

How DAR PRO Services Fit Future Trends

Speaking of sustainability and utilizing resources already available, used cooking oil from deep fryers can be refined and turned into renewable diesel.

That’s DAR PRO Solutions’ specialty. We’ll install your used cooking oil system and collect it based on your schedule. Employees no longer need to spend extra time performing a potentially hazardous task. DAR PRO will take care of everything concerning your used cooking oil.

There are plenty of things to keep up with to keep a business running, let alone trying to keep up with future trends. We can help you out when it comes to ease and sustainability.

Reach out today, and stay on top of the trends.