3 Food Service Trends for Restaurant Equipment in 2020
It’s no secret that running a food service business isn’t easy. In 2019 alone, the restaurant industry brought in approximately $863 billion in sales. That’s a lot of food to prepare in a short amount of time. Fortunately, having the right food service equipment on hand can help your business keep up with the demand.
But investing in new commercial kitchen equipment isn’t a simple process, and you often have to scrap older food service equipment to make room for your latest investment. To help you make the right investment decisions, it can help to know what’s trending in food service equipment for the year. That said, here are some of the top food service trends for 2020.
Energy-efficient kitchen equipment
Energy efficiency is more than about going green. It’s also about saving money. The last thing you want to have to worry about in your restaurant is paying for enormous energy bills. Because many restaurant owners think along the same wavelength, Energy Star appliances are becoming even more popular in 2020.
In fact, Energy Star appliances now include more than just your larger appliances such as refrigerators and ice machines. They also now include steamers, water calculators, underfired char-broilers, rack ovens, and more.
Automated technology
Automation is making its way into several industries and the restaurant industry is no different. In 2020, food chains and restaurants are increasingly implementing automated technology including chatbots, food ordering kiosks, and touchscreens.
Some restaurants are using artificial intelligence that allows customers to make orders via social media platforms and smart TVs. Other food brands are also testing drone food delivery, too.
Multi-functional cooking equipment
A greater number of restaurants are adopting front-of-house and open concept food prep where customers can see where their food is coming from. Visually appealing multi-functional cooking equipment is becoming a common trend in 2020 to meet these needs.
Ovens and fryers in bright colors or sleek whites are big right now. Rapid cook ovens that feature several different cooking methods are also becoming popular because they allow busy restaurant workers to prepare a variety of foods at once.
Looking for commercial kitchen appliances to take your restaurant to the next level? Thompson and Little has you covered. For more information on our restaurant equipment and design options, contact Thompson and Little today.
