Foodservice Trends for 2023

Chefs and restaurant owners are always looking for cutting-edge trends that customers crave. With a new year just around the corner, now is the time to consider what recent trends will explode in 2023. From health-focused food to kitchen AI, we share what’s next on the culinary horizon.

What Food Trends Will Emerge and Fade Away in 2023?

Keeping your finger on the pulse of food trends is crucial to expand your customer base and boost revenue. What does 2023 have in store for your establishment? Our wholesale grocery supply store examines menu must-haves and money-saving operational equipment.

4 Future Restaurant Trends to Include on Your Menu Now

These three food fads are sure to be huge hits in 2023 and beyond:

1. Plant-Based Dishes

Plant-based sales rose 6.2 percent in 2021. The rise of veganism and flexitarianism is here to stay, and plant-based foods are among the top trends for yet another year.  Consumers are reaching for meat-free options for wellness and environmental reasons. In fact, some stats predict that meat alternatives could grow to over $35 billion by 2027. 

However, 2023 promises increased interest in seafood alternatives. Seafood consumption was up 9 percent early in 2022. However, due to overfishing and other environmental factors, consumers are concerned about depleting ocean resources. Modern restaurantgoers will be looking for the flavors and textures of the sea without worrying about the impact of fishing.

What’s on the Menu: Expect to see more seaweed and jackfruit substitutions for seafood.

2. Fermented Food and Drinks

By 2023, the fermented products market is expected to reach $35.54 million. Consumers are increasingly concerned about “gut health,” and the probiotic qualities in fermented foods are known for their digestive benefits. While yogurt, sauerkraut, and fermented veggies have appeared on restaurant menus in recent years, the next big trend is in beverages. Kombucha, packed with plenty of probiotics, is a massive hit as a non-alcoholic beverage. There are also boozy versions of this beverage powerhouse making it a great option to replace an IPA on tap. These specialty house brews are expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 42.4 percent from 2021 to 2026.

What’s on the Menu: Kombucha cocktails and house-brewed kombucha. Also, be on the lookout for kefir and dairy-free kefir.

3. Mushrooms

These popular fungi are more than just a substitution for meat. Consumers have been turning to these veggies in recent years for their robust flavor, toothsome texture, and brain-boosting benefits. Mushroom sales increased 3 percent in 2020, and now mushrooms are among the top ingredients on 80 percent of restaurant menus.

What’s on the Menu: “Performance mushrooms,” like Chaga, lion’s mane, and cordyceps, can be found in savory dishes and even as a powder alternative to coffee.

3. Hot Honey

Move over ketchup, there’s a new condiment showing up on tables. Hot honey combines the sweetness of honey with the spicy, heat of chilis to create the perfect blend of flavors for any dish. From 2016 to 2020, hot honey grew to show up on more menus by 187 percent. It’s now one of the most popular condiments for staples like pizza, fried chicken, and more.

What’s on the Menu: Hot honey chicken wings or bottle it and add it to tables as a condiment.

2 Emerging Restaurant Trends for Operations

Hot trends aren’t just food-based. These two burgeoning developments are geared towards operations:

1. Robotic Kitchen Assistants

One of the most futuristic trends showing up in kitchens is robotic help. One manufacturer leading the way, Miso Robotics, created an AI assistant that can do two fast-order duties like flipping burgers and handling the fryer. It’s so intuitive and quick that “Flippy” can manage a full grill station by itself and is programmed to clean up. While Flippy might seem like a faraway dream, well-established chains are already using this robot tech right now.

2. Humans and Advanced Tech Working Side-By-Side

Restaurants are expected to see more technology to help manage everything from ordering to identifying guests through face recognition. However, AI and virtual assistance will be utilized as a means to streamline operations by assisting workers to maximize their day-to-day duties. Virtual training, wearable tech, and voice-ordering capabilities are just a few trends that can help owners and servers increase efficiency without losing the human touch.

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FOODservice trends for 2023 infographic

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