February 2021

5 Ways An Integrated System Will Save You Time and Money

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June 19, 2024

So you started operating a customer-facing business, congratulations, that’s exciting stuff!

The only problem is now you need an integrated system that works with your POS to manage your sales, and a back end system to manage the rest, like scheduling, payroll and workforce management.

At this time you might be starting to realize that with any type of customer facing operation, running a successful business means carefully tracking labor costs and sales data, but wouldn’t it just be easier to integrate both systems together into one seamless solution?

Spoiler alert, the answer is yes. That is why more and more, businesses are turning to automated, integrated solutions to schedule and manage their staff and track sales. Integrating your POS system with your HR management and scheduling software can save you valuable time and money by streamlining your operations, centralizing your data, and avoiding inconsistencies and mistakes.

In this article we will break it down for you - here are 5 ways an integrated POS and scheduling solution can benefit your business:

1 - It helps you enforce set schedules.

In order to run a smooth and efficient business, you want to make sure your set schedule is closely followed and that you’re only paying employees for the time they actually worked.

Time theft and “buddy punching” (which occurs when one employee clocks in for another employee before they arrive) represent major threats to your bottom line.

The right time-and-attendance software can help you enforce your set schedule, prevent early clock-ins, and make sure your employees show up work-ready and on time with features like camera time attendance and geo-fenced mobile time tracking.

The best part (can you guess it?) is yes, it can integrate with your POS system, saving you from manually calculating hours when it comes to payroll, or manually punching staff members in. 


2 -  Built-in alerts help you stay compliant.

Staying up to date on regulations and compliance rules can be complicated and time-consuming, especially in an industry that’s as heavily regulated as cannabis, food services, quick service, or other customer facing industries.

An integrated POS and scheduling solution allows you to keep a close eye on break violations, overtime, split shift premiums, daily minimum pay requirements, statutory holiday pay, and other labor compliance issues.

With a system like Push, you can set customized alarms that will keep you informed and help ensure you’re operating in compliance with all relevant labor laws, keeping you fine-free and fancy free. 


3 - Make smarter scheduling decisions, with an integrated system.

When you integrate your systems, you basically become a scheduling genie. 
Well, not really, but integrating your systems will help you with scheduling the right people to work at the right times. 

This can have a major impact on the success and profitability of your business.
Having your sales data and labor cost information available to you helps you make informed decisions and takes the guesswork out of scheduling, it can also help prevent you from scheduling employees into overtime.

Push’s easy-to-use scheduling software saves you valuable time and money by funnelling your historical sales data from your POS system and automating sales forecasting, giving you the information you need to make smart scheduling decisions.


4 - Automation makes payroll quick and easy.

Software that automates the process of calculating hourly pay, stat holiday pay, premium pay like overtime, and federal and provincial or state taxes saves you hours of work and potentially thousands of dollars.

By automating the process of running payroll, you eliminate the need for manual calculations, which always involves the risk of human error.

Push integrates seamlessly with most POS systems, to allow you to easily incorporate accurate transactions and sales totals and forecast daily sales based on previous data.


5 - Real-time reporting keeps you in-the-know.

You can’t make smart business and scheduling decisions if you don’t have accurate, up-to-date information.

Push integrates with POS systems from many unique industries to deliver timely, comprehensive labor and sales reports that will save you valuable time and money and help you schedule smarter.

You can also set up notifications, emails, or text alerts for key performance indicators such as when labor or sales percentages exceed a certain threshold. This automated reporting helps you stay in-the-know without spending hours on end manually crunching numbers.


An integrated POS and HR solution you can count on.

When you invest in technology, you expect it to make your life easier and simpler. When you run software programs designed to simplify your operations, and they don’t communicate with each other as expected, you run the risk of mistakes, inconsistencies, and potentially hours of sifting through data trying to figure out what went wrong.

Push
an integrated system designed to work seamlessly with your POS system, allowing you to easily pull in transactions, run payroll, and schedule employees in one simple and easy-to-access location. With seamless integration, convenient channels of communication, and automation that works for you, you can spend less time crunching numbers and more time making decisions.


integrated system



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The food and hospitality industry is entering a transformative era in 2024 — driven by consumer demand for transparency, health, environmental responsibility, and a touch of culinary innovation. Diners are more informed, adventurous, and values-driven than ever before. Whether it’s a craving for Korean-BBQ tacos, gut-friendly mocktails, or carbon-labeled menus, today’s customers are embracing trends that combine personal wellness with global consciousness.

For restaurant owners and foodservice managers, keeping pace with the latest food trends is more than a matter of creativity — it’s a necessity for profitability and long-term success. This guide explores the top food trends for 2024, from plant-based innovations to tech-forward sustainability practices, and how operators can successfully integrate them into their businesses.

Let’s dig into what’s trending, what your customers want, and how your restaurant can stay ahead.

What Are the Top Food Trends for 2024?

Here’s a snapshot of the most impactful food trends shaping menus and operations in 2024:

  • Plant-based innovations – Beyond tofu: think cultivated meats, mushroom mycelium, and chickpea-based seafood substitutes.
  • Climate-conscious menus – Locally sourced, low-waste, and forward-thinking menus aligned with environmental responsibility.
  • Functional wellness foods – Ingredients that support mood, energy, and immunity are being infused into dishes and drinks.
  • Tech-driven dining experiences – AI tools, robotics, and smart systems are elevating back-of-house efficiency and customer-facing dining.
  • Global flavor fusions – Mashups of regional cuisines (like Indian-Mexican or Korean-South American) offer novelty and richness.

Why Do Restaurant Owners Need to Pay Attention to Food Trends?

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  • Consumer demand is shifting: According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2024 Culinary Forecast, over 70% of diners say they actively seek healthier, more sustainable options when dining out.
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  • Increased brand loyalty: Restaurants that align with customer values — health, ethics, innovation — earn trust, repeat visits, and social shares.
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  • Operational agility: Trend-oriented kitchens are quicker to pivot when supply chains shift, diets evolve, or digital preferences change.
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Which Foods Are Trending This Year Across the U.S.?

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Rise of Plant-Based Food Trends

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  • Cultivated meats: Also known as lab-grown meats, these are becoming mainstream. Brands like UPSIDE Foods and GOOD Meat are breaking into U.S. markets with chicken grown from animal cells in controlled environments.
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  • Mycoproteins & legumes: Derived from fungi or pulses, protein-rich alternatives like tempeh, jackfruit, and lupin are being used creatively in tacos, BBQ ribs, and seafood analogs.
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  • Mainstream adoption: Major chains like Burger King and Chipotle continue expanding plant-forward menus, while independents offer bold meatless dishes with flavor-forward sauces, global spices, and satisfying textures.
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Healthy Food Trends for 2024

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  • Gut health focus: Probiotic-rich dishes (kimchi grilled cheese or sourdough naan wraps) and fermented sides are on the rise.
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  • Lower-sugar desserts: Sweet treats are being reimagined with monk fruit, dates, and other low-glycemic ingredients.
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  • Immunity boosters: Menus highlight ingredients like turmeric, ginger, vitamin C, and zinc through smoothies, teas, and power bowls.
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  • Clean-label commitment: Consumers are studying ingredient lists, preferring dishes with wholesome, recognizable components.
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Functional Foods and Beverages

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  • Nootropic-infused drinks: Beverages powered by L-theanine or functional mushrooms cater to focus and calm.
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  • Adaptogenic add-ons: Herbs like ashwagandha, maca, and rhodiola are finding their way into smoothies, lattes, and sauces.
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  • Wellness cocktails: Mixed drinks sans alcohol — but heavy on health — promote detox and energy, flavored with botanicals and natural extracts like spirulina, matcha, and activated charcoal.
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How Are Sustainable Food Trends Shaping the Industry?

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From Menu to Sourcing: The Push Toward Sustainability

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  • Local and seasonal sourcing: Supporting nearby farms reduces emissions, ensures freshness, and appeals to community-minded consumers.
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  • Zero-waste operations: Chefs are using root-to-stem cooking, fermentation for food preservation, and creative uses for scraps in sauces or stocks.
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  • Eco-conscious packaging: Compostable containers, reusable to-go kits, and edible cutlery are disrupting traditional takeout models.
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Tech and Innovation in Sustainable Dining

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  • Carbon labeling: Climate impact scores on menus help customers make informed dining decisions, much like calorie counts.
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  • AI-driven inventory management: Tools optimize ordering patterns, reducing spoilage and overstock-related waste.
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  • Vertical farming & hydroponic setups: Onsite or bordered supply chains shorten the farm-to-table journey.
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What Is the Most Popular Food Trend Right Now?

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While many trends are gaining traction, one standout in 2024 is the rise of global comfort fusion — particularly dishes that marry traditional comfort food with spicy, umami-rich flavors.

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  • Korean-Mexican cuisine: Think birria bulgogi tacos or kimchi queso.
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  • Indian-South American mashups: Curried empanadas or tandoori arepas are headline grabbers.
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  • TikTok’s viral influence: Trends like \“chili crisp eggs\” or \“pickle sushi\” are being adapted on local menus, proving that social virality turns into real-world demand.
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How Social Media Is Driving Food Trend Adoption

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Role of Social Media in Accelerating Food Fads

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  • Influencer credibility: A single post from a viral chef or creator can spark national interest in a dish.
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  • Hashtag virality: Foods labeled #ButterBoard or #WaterTok evolve into week-long waitlists and menu must-haves.
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  • User-generated content: Diners love documenting quirky, beautiful, or “you’ve-never-seen-this-before” dishes to share online.
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Leveraging Food Trends for Restaurant Marketing

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  • Seasonal menus & pop-ups: Limited-time offerings based on trending foods motivate urgency and trial.
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  • Social callouts: Encourage diners to tag, post, or review your trend-forward menu items.
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  • Reels and behind-the-scenes content: Show viewers where your ingredients come from or how a niche global dish is made.
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Global and Fusion Food Trends to Watch

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  • Japanese-Peruvian (Nikkei) flavors: Featuring citrusy ceviches with umami-rich miso and soy glazes.
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  • West African influences: Dishes using jollof rice, egusi stew, or fonio grain paired with plant-based elements.
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  • Filipino-American blends: Adobo-braised brisket sandwiches or ube milkshakes have mainstream momentum.
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Tips for Implementing 2024 Food Trends in Your Restaurant

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  • Test with limited-time offers (LTOs): Introduce a trending ingredient as a weekly special or seasonal dish to measure interest.
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  • Survey your customers: Use email lists or POS systems to gather input on potential additions.
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  • Train your staff: Equip them with the knowledge and enthusiasm to explain functional or sustainable items.
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  • Work with specialized suppliers: Align with local farmers, health-focused vendors, or zero-waste packaging providers for smoother execution.
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Final Thoughts: Stay Ahead of the Curve with 2024’s Food Trends

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Adapting to food trends in 2024 isn’t about chasing every new idea — it’s about identifying the trends that align with your market, values, and culinary identity. Plant-based options, sustainability, global flavors, and wellness-centric dining aren’t just appealing — they’re economically vital.

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Restaurants that act early — leveraging data, culture, and digital ecosystems — will attract today’s health-conscious, eco-aware diner and become tomorrow’s industry leaders.

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Ready to Lead the Industry with Smarter Menu Strategies?

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2024 promises bold innovations in food — and your restaurant can thrive by embracing the right trends. Whether you’re scaling functional drinks, reducing kitchen waste, or jumping on the next viral fusion dish, the right tools can help you act faster and smarter.

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Subscribe to the Push blog for expert insights on restaurant operations, emerging food trends, and next-gen hospitality technology. Stay ahead — serve success.

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Internal Links

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External Sources

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  • National Restaurant Association 2024 Culinary Forecast
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  • Technomic’s 2024 Foodservice Trends Report
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  • Mintel Functional Food Trends Analysis 2024
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