August 2023

Facial ID Revolution: 7 Benefits for Employee Time Tracking

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June 19, 2024

Employee time tracking involves monitoring and recording working hours, serving as a proven method for effective work hour management. When consistently and accurately done, this approach helps cut labor costs, enhance productivity, and elevate employee engagement and performance. However, not all employees document activities and some companies omit time tracking. Despite available apps and tools, just 17% of people track time, leaving employers unaware of their employees' work status.


There are many issues with ineffective employee time tracking. Expecting employees to log time for tasks deliberately is impractical and time-consuming. Manual systems are error-prone; employees may forget to clock in and out, especially during busy periods. Relying on an honor system invites time theft, missed breaks, and buddy punching. Untrustworthy individuals who take advantage of ineffective time tracking can erode trust and cost a company thousands.

What is Buddy Punching?

Buddy punching occurs when an employee has someone else clock in for them, falsely showing that they're working. This often arises when an employee is late or wants extra time off. It's stealing from the company, as they get paid for time not worked.


Buddy punching impacts businesses in the following ways:

  • Distorted productivity data
  • Higher payroll expenses
  • Reduced employee involvement


In many cases, buddy punching stems from broader attendance problems, not just the issue itself. So examine your attendance policy closely. If employees frequently misuse the timekeeping system by clocking in for others and struggling with punctuality, there might be an underlying concern that needs addressing.

How Much Does Buddy Punching Cost a Restaurant?

Nearly half of US employees (49%) who track time confess to time theft. In the US, this results in more than $11 billion in yearly losses for employers due to buddy punching. Approximately 75% of employers experience the impact of buddy punching and similar time theft practices. Beyond the evident payroll rise, these practices decrease ROI, productivity, and profit margins. Furthermore, they hinder the capacity to provide additional benefits for employees.

What is Facial ID Time Tracking?

Facial ID time tracking, also called facial clocking, employs facial recognition tech to record employee attendance. It captures and analyzes facial features for identity verification and time tracking. These digital time clocks use cameras or specialized devices with facial recognition algorithms. 


To clock in and out, an employee shows their face to the clock, which compares it to registered faces in the database. The timestamp is recorded by the time and attendance software, digitally tracking work time. This accurately monitors clock-ins, breaks, and other time actions, ensuring correct record-keeping.

An employee is using her phone to clock in to work with facial ID time tracking software.

What are the Benefits of Using Employee Time Tracking Software With Face ID?

In contrast to conventional time clocks needing cards or manual input, employee time tracking software like Push Time Tracking offers a contactless and streamlined approach to documenting employee attendance. Here are 7 benefits you derive from facial clocking:

Accurate and Reliable

Facial ID tech offers accurate identification, lowering the chances of error from manual or traditional clock systems. Face recognition clock-ins log each event’s date, time, and images, establishing an audit trail for attendance. This fosters transparency and responsibility. If disputes arise over hours, the system can validate attendance, resolving discrepancies.

Biometric Security

Facial clocking uses distinct facial traits for individual identification, curbing impersonation, and identity fraud. The system matches captured facial images with stored templates, ensuring authorized clock-ins or outs. Moreover, facial biometrics can track unauthorized personnel in the system for site-wide tracking. In case of incidents, facial recognition software supplies investigation evidence through scanned images of individuals who entered the area.

User-Friendly

Facial recognition for time tracking creates a user-friendly process, eliminating the need for physical cards or passwords. A simple camera glance suffices, minimizing work interference. This lessens issues from forgotten or lost credentials, maintaining a smooth workflow and quick onboarding. 

An employee is clocking in to work using a punch card for time tracking.

Efficiency

Using facial recognition for time tracking lets employees easily log work hours by looking at a camera. This simple process enhances productivity and reduces errors from manual entry, creating an efficient work environment. Additionally, this method reports attendance, absence, and overtime quickly and accurately.

Audit Trail

Monitoring employee clock-ins and outs allows management to maintain detailed time records. This generates immediate insights into login times, locations, and durations. Employers can track tardiness and calculate actual task time. Incorporating time tracking in an audit trail enhances user accountability, automatically recording and linking actions. This discourages misuse. Audit trails also provide process visibility, avoiding data corruption issues.

Scalability

A time tracking software can quickly scale to suit a growing workforce, eliminating the need for extra hardware investment. This flexibility fits various business sizes, from small eateries to large restaurant chains. It also helps streamline people management in multi-restaurant operations. No extra hardware simplifies setup, letting management prioritize growth over logistics.

A manager is reviewing clock-ins from their facial ID time tracking software.

Reduced Labor Costs

With facial recognition time tracking, you only pay for hours worked. This eliminates buddy punching, inflated hours, and missed clock-outs. This alone can save your business thousands. But there are additional cost-saving benefits. Automation reduces manual data entry, lessening admin tasks. This directly lowers labor expenses, allowing staff to focus on valuable work. Error risks from manual input also drop, boosting accuracy. Beyond efficient payroll, this streamlines operations, optimizing costs by allocating resources to core business tasks.

With Push Time Tracking, you can:

  • Save thousands by automating clock-in rules
  • Streamline time tracking data to payroll
  • Enable autonomous facial clock-ins for employees
  • Use it independently or as part of an all-in-one management suite
  • Integrate it with POS systems


Final Thoughts on Employee Time Tracking

Ensuring accurate employee time and attendance is crucial to run a restaurant successfully. Investing in the right employee time tracking software like Push is essential. A dependable system is needed to precisely log working hours for payroll, attendance, and performance management. Learn more about our time tracking software by scheduling a demo with Push today.

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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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