As we step into the new year, everything starts to heat up, and so it's crucial for hospitality businesses to stay ahead of the curve to continue serving their customers with exceptional customer experiences. Here are five trend predictions for 2024 which we expect to ramp up.

1. Plant-Based Options

Veganism and plant-based diets continue to gain popularity, driven by health-conscious and sustainable consumers. While it may not fit in with every hospitality venue’s mantra or theme, those who offer a more diverse menu offering should consider adapting their menu to include diverse and appealing plant-based menu options. With 6% of the population identifying as vegan, neglecting this growing customer base could lead to missed opportunities and loss of business, especially when catering to group events where dietary preferences vary.

Incorporating Vegan and plant-based Options might seem somewhat overwhelming to some hospitality operators, however, it doesn’t have to be. Start small - on your menu implement a key for dietaries (if you haven’t already) offering vegan options of your already existing dishes. For example incorporating vegan cheese into your kitchen allows customers to enjoy a vegan pizza while little change and effort has been made. By adding dietary keys to your menu like: V (Vegetarian), VE (Vegan), VGO (Vegan Option) diners know instantly what they can and can’t have.

A corollary benefit is that this will save wait staff’s times from going back and forth to the kitchen for questions, disrupting the flow. It’s a win, win!

2. Locally sourced ingredients & transparency

With consumers becoming increasingly interested in the origin of their food, venues should also be. This growing trend translates for a preference in locally sourced produce, promoting freshness, sustainability, whilst also supporting the local economy. Restaurants should highlight the origins of their ingredients on their menus — especially if sourced —  as consumers are willing to pay a premium up to 20% more for local food for such transparency.

This is a trend that is going to gain momentum quickly now that the Western Australian Government have introduced laws requiring venues to detail where seafood was sourced.

Updating your menus can be made easy if you have QR code ordering. You can easily and quickly update the information online each morning – a core step for those venues that buy local ingredient on a daily basis. This will help you minimise the effort and reduce errors for your customers without having to pay the added costs that would come with regularly getting your menus reprinted.

3. Increase in Contactless Payments

QR code ordering and contactless payments are becoming increasingly prevalent and are expected to continue gaining traction in 2024. Customers seek flexibility in payment methods, with many favouring contactless transactions via mobile devices. Not only is this an easy and affective way for customers to pay but it also allows your staff to speed up their processes reducing customer lines and reduces the likelihood of staff mistakes as the payments are automated. No longer is there a chance for tired staff over or undercharging a customer which either leave your business out of pocket or the customer being unhappy customer due to this mistake.

It’s very important ensure that your venue is equipped to handle these payments to avoid losing customers who may have not even brought their wallet with them as they assumed they would be able to tap and pay on their phone.  

At Bepoz, we offer an integrated POS and payments system that not only streamlines things for your staff, but which make it easier for your customers too. Ask us for more information and to learn how this could save your venue thousands of dollars.

4. Personalised Services and Experiences

In an era where customers carefully consider their spending due to the current cost of living crisis, providing a memorable dining experience is crucial. Personalised services, such as addressing customers by name or recommending dishes based on their preferences, can leave a lasting impression. Leveraging technology, such as POS integrated reservation systems, allows businesses to capture and utilise customer data for a more tailored experience. Your wait staff can greet a table celebrating something with a simple “happy birthday” or “happy anniversary” message. These small gestures can make all the difference to your customers.

Not only are you providing your customers with outstanding service integrated reservation systems also can allow your venue to gather customer data and build customer profiles. This provides the opportunity to retarget customers through personalised marketing attempts. Helping to increase the likelihood of return visits.

In a dynamic industry like hospitality, staying informed and actioning on new trends is crucial. From technological advancements to evolving food preferences, businesses must adapt to meet consumer expectations. Keep a keen eye on industry trends and be ready to make necessary adjustments to stay competitive and satisfy your customers in 2024 and beyond. If you would like to talk to hospitality experts about how hospitality technology can help your venue stay ahead reach out to our team today.