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Beverage sourcing and creating an outstanding beverage menu are true challenges for each business in the hospitality industry. When we are talking about beverage inventory for restaurant chains, things become even more complicated. There is lots of planning involved, as well as restaurant staff training, considering seasonal beverages, and of course, trying to stay up to date with the latest beverage trends.
When curating the beverage program for restaurant groups, you should consider not only the cuisine served at the restaurant, the location, and the consumer demand, but also the current beverage trends. Although we do not suggest blindly following trends, you need to be aware of what is becoming popular at the moment. When you are aware of trends, you can incorporate some of them into your menu and make your restaurant or the whole restaurant chain more appealing to customers.
So how can beverage trends impact the restaurant group’s menus? We want to dive deeper into this topic and show you all the different reasons why it’s important to try out some new things. Some trends are seasonal, while others may be here to stay. In either case, it’s good to try a few!
Beverage Trends and Their Impact on Restaurant Group Menus
Current beverage trends play a significant role in shaping menu development for multi-location restaurants. This is so because customers are increasingly seeking innovative, healthier, and more eco-conscious options. Here’s how key trends are influencing these menus:
1. Sustainability and Local Sourcing
With growing concern about the environmental impact, more consumers are looking for sustainable alternatives to their favorite drinks. Multi-location restaurants should be incorporating (if they haven’t done so yet) organic, locally sourced wines, spirits, and craft brews to align with these values, which appeal to conscious consumers.
Restaurants should adapt menus regionally to feature local producers. This way, each restaurant from the chain can offer a unique selection while reducing transportation costs and emissions. This adds a layer of authenticity and connects each location to the local community.
2. Low and No-Alcohol Options
Currently, one of the biggest beverage trends is related to low-alcohol cocktails or completely non-alcoholic ones. The demand for these types of drinks has surged, driven by health-conscious customers. Restaurants need to expand their offerings to include more sophisticated mocktails, low-ABV cocktails, and non-alcoholic wines and beers. These drinks will help the restaurants in your restaurant group to appeal to a larger audience.
Many multi-location restaurants are now adding a “better for you” selection of drinks to their menu to show customers they have healthier alternatives. Some popular drinks just need a little bit of adaptation to go from the regular section to the healthier ones.
Key Takeaway: Beverage trends in restaurant groups are important, especially now when customers are more eco and health-conscious. Focusing on sustainability, low and no-alcohol options, healthier ingredients, and global flavors is a winning strategy. Technology can help tremendously when testing out new trends in certain locations and building the perfect beverage menu for each restaurant part of the chain. By embracing these trends, restaurant groups can differentiate themselves, increase customer satisfaction, and respond to evolving preferences in a competitive market.
3. Health-Focused Ingredients and Functional Beverages
Customers are increasingly seeking beverages with health benefits, like kombucha, adaptogen-infused teas, and antioxidant-rich juices. Restaurant chains are adding these options as refreshing and healthier choices and if you haven’t done this for your business already, now it’s the time. This is not one of the beverage trends that is going to vanish any time soon.
Health-focused ingredients allow restaurants to adjust menus seasonally, creating excitement and keeping menus dynamic. Fresh, local ingredients in cocktails also reinforce sustainability goals.
4. Premiumization and Craft Offerings
Diners nowadays are willing to pay for premium experiences, so it makes sense for restaurants to add higher-end spirits, craft cocktails, and small-batch wines and beers to cater to this demand. Offering premium items encourages upselling, particularly effective in multi-location restaurants where a uniform presentation of quality is key.
Craft and artisanal brands provide a unique touch across all locations. Highlight niche spirits and small-batch beverages (this is easy when you have a digital menu!) and see how customers who are looking for exclusivity will react. We are sure that these beverage trends will be loved by many.
5. Global and Diverse Flavors
Global flavors and cultural influences are a big trend, from Japanese-inspired cocktails with yuzu and matcha to Middle Eastern spices in beverages. Restaurant groups can add global-themed drinks to menus, creating a sense of adventure and attracting diverse customer preferences.
When you incorporate international flavors, it allows flexible menu development, offering consistent yet adaptable beverages that can be adjusted for local preferences if necessary.
6. Technology and Data-Driven Menu Management
Using technology is the best way to determine the beverage popularity at each location of the restaurant group. When the restaurant manager has access to this type of information, they can adjust the offers based on the customer base and preferences. This data-driven approach makes it easier to test beverage trends in select locations before a big roll-out.
Now, many restaurants are using digital menus which allows for quick updates on seasonal beverages and adding new trends. QR codes also let customers view detailed information on sustainable or health-focused options, enhancing engagement and transparency.
7. Sustainable Packaging and Serving Practices
As part of the sustainability efforts, it is important to minimize waste within your restaurant chain. Most restaurants are now reducing single-use plastics, offering beverages in eco-friendly packaging, and using compostable or reusable straws. This initiative aligns with customers’ growing expectations for environmental responsibility.
Some restaurant groups are even exploring refillable beverage programs, which offer discounts for customers who bring reusable containers, further boosting the brand image as eco-conscious and community-focused. This, of course, depends on the type of restaurant you are running, too.
By embracing these beverage trends, restaurant groups can keep their menus fresh, attract diverse demographics, and enhance brand loyalty. These trends also offer unique upselling opportunities and allow restaurants to differentiate themselves in this large and competitive market.
Frequently Asked Questions about Beverage Trends in Restaurant Groups
If you have further questions related to this topic, read the following common questions and answers. They will provide you with even more helpful information regarding the impact of beverage trends on restaurants part of large restaurant chains.
Why Are Beverage Trends Important for Restaurant Groups?
Beverage trends help attract a broader range of customers, increase revenue through premium options and upselling, and enhance the dining experience. Staying current with trends also positions restaurant groups as forward-thinking and responsive to consumer preferences.
How Can Restaurant Groups Balance Consistency with Local Variations in Their Beverage Menus?
Many restaurant groups create a core menu that includes popular trends but allows for regional adaptations. For example, they might feature locally sourced craft beers at each location or highlight regionally inspired flavors to maintain consistency while supporting local suppliers.
How Do Beverage Trends Contribute to Brand Differentiation?
By offering trend-driven beverages, restaurant groups can set themselves apart as modern, responsive brands. Unique offerings like premium craft cocktails, globally inspired flavors, or sustainably sourced options create memorable dining experiences and foster customer loyalty.