December 2020

Restaurant Technology | 5 Tools Disrupting the Industry

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October 7, 2024

Restaurant technology has played a large role in the industry’s adaptation to its changing environment. Aiding owners to grow rapidly and increase profits.

The dining experience is changing with the fast paced culture and demand for convenience.

In turn, technology has played a large role in the restaurants industry’s adaptation to its changing environment. The National Restaurants Association 2017 study notes that 4 out of 5 restaurant owners found that technology increases sales, makes their restaurant more productive, and provides their restaurant a competitive advantage.

Ultimately, the integration of technology in the restaurant industry has benefited both the guests and restaurant operations. Greater efficiency is achieved, and positive workflow is easier to manage. Here are 5 technology trends changing the restaurant industry:

Emergence of mobile and online delivery services.

They’re popping up left, right and center. The National Restaurant Association's Mapping the Technology Landscape report found that predictive ordering is the leading edge tech. There’s a demand for convenience, and the ease of ordering allows users to effortlessly customize their orders to their liking!

Apps like Foodora, UberEats, JustEat, and SkipTheDishes allow guests to easily order and recieve a meal from the comfort of their own home. However, this allows guests to rate restaurants solely based on take out – which can be hugely problematic, if something goes wrong. We recommend doing the research and finding out what restaurant delivery might work best for your business.

Tablet integration.

Quick, fast, and easy are staples in running a restaurant. Restaurants, especially fast casual and fast food, are adapting to new technology and integrating tablets into their workflow. Bypassing a hardware terminal medium, servers are able to send orders straight to the kitchen.

In addition,  tablets can also be used for food delivery services or used for time tracking via time attendance software. With the camera function, tablets are a great tool  for combating time theft and buddy punching.


Cloud based workforce management.

Technology is inching its way towards guest and staff interaction, but it’s also disrupting the field of restaurant management – in a positive way.

Integration of technology in the restaurant industry eliminates the rigidness of restaurant management by automating mundane administrative tasks. And this is on top of having the ability to manage your business and your employees, anytime and from anywhere.

Restaurant management software can be found as solutions for multiple key parts like restaurant scheduling, restaurant payroll, and employee time tracking.

You can automate everything. Whether it's compiling labor reports or tracking employee performances, restaurant HR software organizes employee management onto one platform.

Technology in the restaurant scene is the perfect solution for business owners to create better workflow, guest experiences, and environments for their staff.

Restaurant aiding apps.

Hospitality is more than just a service; rather it’s about guest experiences, and meeting or exceeding expectations. Quick and good customer service is what guests are looking for and the bottom line is to always improve your guest experiences. But ensuring a restaurant runs smoothly, is the delicate balance of good front-of-house and back-of-house management.

And as there are virtually apps for everything nowadays, we found two apps that restaurant owners may find worthwhile investing in:

DINR

an app for extremely busy restaurants. Last minute cancellations happen, and DINR allows guests to make same day reservations. You'll be able to fill seats when available, and diners will be able to try your restaurant! It's a win-win situation.

Coastline Market:

an app that connects restaurant owners to local BC fishermen and eliminates the middleman. Data on who, when, where and how seafood is caught is retained and traced by Coastline so that restaurant owners are guaranteed with certified local ingredients.


Power of social media.

Some customers could care less of a negative review, but word of mouth never goes out of style. Rather than the literal action of word of mouth, online communities are fostered to share favorite restaurants, and dishes. Social influencers are on the rise, and they’re the ultimate vehicle in spreading the word.

This doesn't mean you should make their experience any different than a regular diner. More often than now, influencers are already a fan of your brand. The key here, is to use their platform to showcase your business!

Explore social media, and other forms of restaurant marketing to use technology to bring more people into your business!

Restaurant technology

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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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