Staying competitive in the food industry means always knowing what’s on the horizon. A few years ago, customers started clamoring for gluten-free snacks. Recently, there’s been a rise in the precedence of food delivery apps as people want their food quickly and conveniently. Chickpeas and their byproducts have had a resurgence into the spotlight. The list goes on and on.
That’s all great information to know, but what’s next? Getting ahead of future trends will position your concession stand, snack bar, or other food-based business to wow customers. And of course, your establishment needs to maintain a high level of customer service and culinary prowess to stay afloat. Having food business insurance as a strong financial foundation will give you the courage to experiment with new fare.
Luckily, Whole Foods gives culinary-minded entrepreneurs a good jumping-off point for exploring food trends. The grocer has predicted plenty of exciting things for next year. Let’s take a closer look at four of them.
It’s well known that smoothie and juice bars have taken off in recent years. If your establishment has decided to dip into fruit- and veggie-based drinks, consider upping your super powder offerings. There are even delicious ways to incorporate healthful superfood powders into hot drinks, baked goods, snacks, soups, and salads! Chances are, your customers will appreciate the option to give their order a boost—for a slight fee, of course. Acai, maca root, goji berry, matcha tea, turmeric, and chia seed are just the beginning.
More and more people expect food businesses to offer plant-based options nowadays. Limp meat substitutes and “rabbit food” are out. Thanks to advances in engineering, meatless products are now able to imitate the real deal better than ever. Dairy-free products can still maintain a rich creaminess with nuts. There are seafood substitutes galore, from tomatoes to chickpeas. Incorporating an array of plant-based foods will make vegetarians, vegans, and health-conscious customers very happy.
Forgoing serving fried foods doesn’t mean sacrificing flavor, as it turns out. People everywhere are putting down the oil, but not their favorite foods— even French fries! The Whole Foods report predicts popped and puffed snacks will be all the rage next year. Consider adding these guilt-free treats to your product lineup sometime soon.
You may have noticed an uptick in people drinking from pastel cans lately. Move over, soda. There’s a new beverage in town. The LaCroix craze of recent months is only poised to get bigger, with people searching for more fizzy beverages to try. This year also saw soda taxes cropping up around the U.S., which could be spurring the exodus to fizzy water.
Beverages are much more than just a way to quench thirst; they’re an art form. Offering an appealing array of canned, bottled, and custom-made beverages is a big draw for customers. It may even be what differentiates you from the place down the street serving only flat water or pop.
Whether you stick with your tried-and-true menu or expand next year, make sure your food business is covered by liability. A good Business Owners Policy also protects against property damage from natural disasters and theft. Start with a free quote from CoverHound!
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