As with trending ingredients or flavours, it’s essential to stay on top of the latest hospitality and dining trends. What do your customers want, and how can you make the most of these moments? The British eating out market is set to grow by £3.1bn between now and 2024, with pubs and restaurants set to claim a £1.3bn share (Lumina). Read on for our top six tips for keeping your diners – and your bottom line – happy this summer.

1. TREAT YOURSELF
Image of Mac n Cheese Croquettes on a baking tray with dipping sauce

Treats are still on trend! Indulgent foods continue to be top of the list whether consumers are eating out or ordering takeaways. The current top three food items consumed out-of-home are:

🍟  Chips
🍔  Burgers
🍕 Pizzas

If you’re looking for indulgent dishes that work hard on your menus, have you tried our Mac ‘n’ Cheese Croquettes? They make the perfect side or starter to complement burgers or pizzas.

Or, for something a little different, our MSC Florentine Fishcake filled with a decadent Cheddar cheese sauce is a knockout with a side of fries.

 

2. MAXIMISING MAINS

Vegan Penang Curry served in a bowl

Dietary requirements like gluten-free are leading the way when it comes to new main courses on menus. Plus, over 30% of diners now identify as flexitarian. So if you’re looking for delicious vegan, vegetarian & gluten-free mains, choose from our:

🌱 Gluten-Free Mac ‘n’ Cheese Bake
🌶  Vegan Penang Curry
🌱 Butterbean, Sweet Potato & Spinach Stew

 

3. VARIETY IS KEY

Mozzarella Bites served in a takeaway box with rocket and sweet potato fries

The number of up-sell opportunities on menus increased by an average of 15% last year. The top 3 dishes for an up-sell moment are:

🍔  Burgers
🍕  Pizzas
🌯  Burritos or wraps

Whether you’re offering a premium ingredient swap or an irresistible add-on, make sure vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are a feature.

For burger lovers, offer our Mac ‘n’ Cheese Croquettes as a topper to our Luxury Veggie Burger. Or get a ‘pizza’ the action with our new gluten-free Mozzarella Bites: great as a side to any pizza – or even on top! And if you’re looking to change up your wrap game, try our new vegan & gluten-free fritters. Choose from Spicy Sweetcorn or Pea & Mint.

4. THERE’S AN APP FOR THAT

Offering a digital ordering option like a QR code or app will attract younger consumers and can encourage browsing on your menu. Plus, you can use this opportunity to include stories about your ingredients and suppliers – show off what makes your dishes special!

5. PERFECT DRINKS PAIRINGS

Spicy Sweetcorn Fritters on a serving platter with lime wedges and fresh chilli

The average wet-led occasion brings in an average spend of £8.25. Beer is still the most popular order, spirits bring in a higher spend per visit, and low or no alcohol options are gaining popularity. So how can you optimise this opportunity, and promote your food offering at the same time? If you’re looking to rev up your drinks & snacks game, we recommend…

🧀 🥂  our mozzarella bites with prosecco or champagne

🌽 🍸  spicy sweetcorn fritters with a chilli margarita

🧀 🍻  our mac & cheese croquettes paired with an icy cold beer

🥔🍹  vegan chip shop bites with an iced tea, kombucha or raspberry shrub.

6. VALUE FOR MONEY

Value for money continues to be an essential consideration for customers, but this is not always about low prices – great service is key! The rising cost of living means consumers are opting for value-based offerings, with over half of UK consumers saying affordable choices will drive their choice of restaurant (NPD Group, 2022). Make sure you promote your pricing and special offers up-front, and loyalty schemes can be a great reason for diners to keep coming back for more.

For more information on any of our products, to request a call from our sales team or any other enquiries, drop us a line at  [email protected]