The connection food provides to people, cultures and times in history is like no other — and it’s undoubtedly powerful. Food impacts large-scale areas such as economies and societies. But, it also has the unique ability to conjure incredibly personal memories and emotions by way of a simple aroma or association.
As such, the state of the world, ideologies and other factors that pull at our emotions or sense of well-being significantly shape the menu trends that find their way to folks’ tables, trays and doorsteps. Some trends are fresh iterations that experiment with flavor or food combinations that have never been seen before. Others are like fashion (ahem, stonewashed mom jeans) that keep cycling back into popularity. But, no matter what menu trends come into play, it’s wise to know what’s on the horizon so your operation is ready to provide what today’s consumers want. Let’s dig in.
Doing less, only better
These past few years will be remembered for generations to come. Major shifts rippled across every facet of our lives, affecting how we worked, lived and dined. That shifting hasn’t ended, and all the happenings of these past years will cast their influence into 2022. The pandemic created staff shortages in meatpacking plants, farms, manufacturing facilities and transportation operations. Those shortages have just started to show their full impact. Significant supply chain issues have reared their ugly head, and it’s next to impossible for many operations to receive the necessary products they’ve ordered. As a result, menus are suffering.
But a shortage in supply isn’t the only thing lacking. With “The Great Resignation” in full effect, millions of employees are looking for other opportunities or have already walked away from their jobs altogether. And the foodservice industry is one of the hardest hit. A recent survey from the National Restaurant Association found that the top challenge for 75% of operations is finding and retaining staff. With a significant supply chain crunch and employee shortages like never before, foodservice establishments are charting new territory (seems to be a fad in itself). One of the top trends in 2022 is pairing down menu choices to just a few items and boosting the quality of each dish that’s privileged enough to make the cut. This latest craze has its roots in necessity and survival but will bring about excellent tasting food and signature flavors, pleasing guests and keeping customers coming back for more.
Self-order and mobile ordering menus
Reduced staff and fewer supplies means less menu options available, but the call for ingenuity and technology continues to rise. The self-order and mobile ordering menus that came out of the woodwork in 2020 will still be in the 2022 menu trends playbook. The difference will come in the finesse. Some of the tech forced out to the masses quickly was clunky and hard to navigate. This year, the focus will be on a better user experience for both operations and customers alike.
Full-service or prepackaged menu items
Upping the ante on technology won’t be the only menu trend to steadily rise this year. With a continued focus on cleanliness, consumers will still see fewer self-service options such as buffets or food bars in action. And where those menu formats do thrive, c-stores and cafeterias being two areas, transparency in sanitation will also need to be on point. Instead, full-service foodservice or prepackaged grab-n-go items are the preferred menu choices in 2022.
Portable foods, snacks and on-the-go eating
Another fave this year is on-the-go snacking. Constant running around and full schedules have squashed the norm of three square meals a day. Instead, grazing on snacks throughout the day is a popular trend that works for more folks' lifestyles. Portable food has an entire cult following spearheaded by busy millennials dedicated to the convenience of it all. But don’t be confused, these aren’t the pigeonholed snacks of the past like chips and cookies (although totally still legit snacks). Consumers want handheld culinary excellence in their snack menu options. Take spicy pork empanadas, chickpea samosas or veggie spring rolls on the road or to the kiddos games, and it’s an instant lunch, dinner or a quick-n-tasty bite to satisfy hunger.
Establishments known for their convenience and quick-grab menu options, such as c-stores or higher ed cafeterias, will especially benefit from taking notice of this desired trend. Mini tacos, buffalo sliders, chicken wings and the vast amounts of other incredible handheld food choices will be sure to please customers’ portable food hankerings and grazing habits throughout 2022.
Health and immunity menu offerings
Health and wellness seemingly never go out of style. Foods that will cause the most stir this year focus on gut health including, prebiotics, probiotics and other gut-microbiome-nurturing ingredients. Tempting kimchi fried rice, tasty Jerusalem artichoke chili, or a microgreen salad with berries, cashews and edamame are rich in gut-happy components — and are also delicious.
But, GI health isn’t the only thing consumers are looking for in their menu options. Foods that are immunity-aiding, mood-boosting and sleep-inducing are also top of the 2022 menu trends list. Look at dishes featuring salmon, beans, veggies and other foods high in omega-3, vitamin B, fiber, magnesium and iron. But, no matter what options you choose, be sure to let your customers know why you're featuring specific ingredients so they can get in on the health-loving knowledge of your menu.
Plant-based options
A vast majority of immune-boosting ingredients are plant-based foods. It’s true; veggie-loving trends have been gaining traction for some time, and they aren't slowing down anytime soon. Plant-loving consumers are far and wide, but many aren’t strict vegans or vegetarians. Many consumers instead opt for a flexitarian or reducetarian lifestyle. These terms (or buzzwords) describe a popular movement of people who significantly limit the amount of meat they consume both for health and eco-friendly reasons. Thankfully, with veggies, beans, legumes, fruits and nuts taking center stage, the amount of plant-based options are endless. Now, factor in tasty plant-based meat options like the Beyond Burger (a meatless burger that tastes, looks and feels like the real deal) and restaurants can use their creative genius to whip up an infinite amount of dishes that will satisfy all their guests’ palettes. This year, the most popular plant-based foods will have clean ingredients that consumers can pronounce, multiple sources of protein for increased nutritional value, excellent taste and spot-on texture.
Flavor mash-ups
Want to please the die-hard foodie? Try offering incredible ethnic options. But for an even better tantalizing flavor, follow a popular trend gaining increased traction in 2022. Borderless foods with flavor mashups of ethnic cuisines are some of the hottest dishes out there today. Korean chicken tacos, lasagna pasta nachos or Bahn Mi pizza anyone? Put a popular twist on two or more original dishes and your menu popularity will soar in 2022.
In with the new.
With 2022 underway, the future sure looks appetizing. This year, pay attention to the newest food trends, offer the options that work for your operation and watch your establishment connect on a deeper level with your customers. Interested in other ways to satisfy your customers? Check out our blog, The Key To Keeping Customers Happy (Consistently).
