December 2020

4 Ways Payroll Automation Will Save You Money

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June 19, 2024

Payroll is easily one of the biggest headaches of every business owner. Manual data transfers, statutory holiday calculations, along with multiple positions and pay rates are basic examples of tedious tasks of payroll.

Innovative payroll software that allows for payroll automation can automate this process and helps business owners gain peace of mind that their employee payroll is done accurately.


What is payroll automation? 

An automated payroll system, also known as payroll automation, helps you perform payroll more quickly - by using software to automatically calculate employee pay, and submit paycheques or deductions.  An automated payroll system can calculate things like variable hourly wages, overtime, statutory holiday pay, retroactive pay, wage deductions, payroll tax calculations and more. Saving business owners time.

An automated system that is also integrated with time clock, or time tracking software allows for business owners to streamline all their clocked hours directly into payroll. Creating a hands off system with unparalleled accuracy.


Here are four benefits of payroll automation software, and how it can save your business thousands of dollars:

1 - Save time with payroll automation.

With everyone you hire, you are purchasing labour. By automating payroll, payroll admins can spend their time on more important tasks and managers can spend more time on the floor, or managing other aspects of the business. In short, the cost savings add up significantly.

A typical business who has to manually transfer clock-in/out hours from paper or to their POS to their payroll system, can spend on average 5 minutes per employee per day making adjustments.

By investing in payroll software that allows you to run payroll automation rules, you can reduce the amount of time and money spent on the burden of administrative tasks and increase productivity.

With a 100 employee establishment at 5 minutes a day at $20 an hour, this could cost you $60,000

2 - Save on payroll error costs.

Human errors are inevitable when manually calculating hours to payroll. Almost always, mistakes happen whether you're doing manual transfers of employee hours from your schedule or POS system, or via pen and paper.

Payroll errors will negatively impact your employee morale and cost you thousands of dollars.  Employees will only complain about payroll mistakes if they are underpaid - which leaves the company susceptible to overpaying employees for payroll errors.

If your payroll is $500,000 annually, a 2% error factor equates to $10,000 in costs.


3 - Save on time theft.

Time theft, along with buddy punching, is one of the biggest unintentional costs of your business. The American Payroll Association found that 43% of hourly worked exaggerated their time worked during a shift.

Arriving late and clocking in as on time, punching out-late, or and buddy punching are a few examples of time theft. Time theft can add up to thousands of dollars annually if you aren't using an integrated system that allows for automated punch in rules, and then streamlines those hours to your payroll system.

Mistakes are made less when time tracking software is used to track employee hours! By automating payroll and streamlining hours into payroll allows data to be accurate. This way, there won't be any discrepancies between employee hours and employee pay.

Imagine this, a 100 employee establishment all punching out  5 minutes late at $20 an hour, this could cost you $60,000 annually on labor.

4 -Help you get organized.

Payroll automation will streamline all payroll data. Using an integrated and automated system, everything payroll related, for staff or management, can be easily accessible online and found in one place. Most payroll software providers allow employees easy online access items like their T4s, or pay stubs instantly, but some even automate stat holiday pay calculations, and help you calculate payroll taxes!

You’ll be able to centralize documents too! Legal and government documents can kept securely, and you'll no longer have to search for something in 10 different places, thanks to payroll automation software.

We hope this was helpful, and that you find payroll software that helps you streamline your business! For more on payroll software, check out our helpful guide.

payroll automation

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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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