Report Says Restaurants Will Focus On Healthier Planet And Healthier Consumers In 2022

By: Kerry Pipes | 3,374 Reads | 7 Shares

%3Cp%3EThe+National+Restaurant+Association+%28NRA%29+has+just+released+its+annual+What%26rsquo%3Bs+Hot+Culinary+Forecast+report.+It%26rsquo%3Bs+a+detailed+look+at+the+topics%2C+trends%2C+and+products+expected+to+drive+restaurant+menus+in+the+coming+year.+2022+is+forecast+to+see+restaurants+focusing+on+a+healthier+planet+and+healthier+consumers.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3ESustainability+will+continue+to+influence+menus+and+how+restaurants+make+decisions+across+the+board.+From+reusable+and+recyclable+packaging+to+zero-waste+options%2C+restaurants+are+continuing+to+prioritize+sustainable+initiatives.+As+consumers+continue+to+utilize+off-premises+options+in+all+dayparts%2C+restaurants+are+looking+to+translate+their+dine-in+experience+outside+the+four+walls+of+the+restaurant+with+thoughtful+packaging+that+maintains+food+quality%2C+retains+temperature%2C+and+is+tamper-proof.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3EThough+comfort+food+surged+during+the+height+of+the+pandemic%2C+consumers+are+refocusing+on+better-for-you+options%2C+with+foods+that+are+believed+to+have+immunity-boosting+qualities+and+plant-based+sandwiches+making+up+three+of+the+Top+10+Trends+for+2022.+Plant-based+proteins+are+growing+increasingly+popular+on+menus+and+less+expensive+cuts+of+protein%2C+such+as+thighs+instead+of+wings%2C+will+have+a+greater+presence+in+the+year+to+come.%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%3E%26ldquo%3BIn+addition+to+a+return+to+health-focused+menu+offerings+and+more+eco-friendly%2C+improved+off-premises+packaging%2C+all+of+which+rated+high+in+the+top+trends%2C+we%26rsquo%3Bre+expecting+operators+to+look+across+their+menus+for+transformative+opportunities%2C%26rdquo%3B+said+Hudson+Riehle%2C+senior+vice+president+of+Research+for+the+NRA.+%26ldquo%3BLook+for+trends+that+fuse+the+traditional+meal+daypart+items+with+other+dayparts+and+an+increasing+popularity+of+snacking+and+its+allied+items.+Also%2C+with+the+popularity+of+cocktails-to-go+during+the+pandemic%2C+restaurants+will+look+to+expand+both+alcoholic+and+non-alcoholic+craft+beverage+options.%26rdquo%3B%3Cbr+%2F%3E%3Cbr+%2F%3EThe+What%26rsquo%3Bs+Hot+survey+was+conducted+in+October+2021.+More+than+350+professional+chefs+of+the+American+Culinary+Federation+rated+109+food+items+and+culinary+concepts+compiled+by+Association+experts+and+Technomic%26rsquo%3Bs+Menu+Research+%26+Insights+Division.+Download+the+full+report%26nbsp%3B%3Ca+href%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.org%2Fresearch-and-media%2Fresearch%2Fresearch-reports%2Fwhats-hot-food-beverage-trends%2F%22+target%3D%22_blank%22+rel%3D%22noopener%22%3Ehere.%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fp%3E

Published: November 30th, 2021