Rainbow lattes, burgers that use avocado instead of buns and sriracha hot sauce, all popular trends that have taken over newsfeeds and menus throughout the past decade. Where do these trends start and are they worth the hype? Let’s dive into the trend realm and discuss where to find trends and how to figure out if they’re worth it.
Where Do I Find Trends Anyway?
The first step to identifying what trends are right for you is determining the trends. Social media is an easy place to start—platforms like TikTok and Instagram are filled with recipes. Check out what your followers post and how people engage with popular posts; this can help you figure out if people want a specific trending ingredient or meal experience.
But also, don’t be afraid to look for trending menu options in your operation. See if any current menu items have quickly risen in popularity. Are there any combinations or add-ons that customers are putting together themselves? The most accessible trends might already be within your menu.
Is This Trend Right For Me?
There might be a lot of buzz around a current dish, but is it worth it for your operation? Break it down step-by-step and see how it could fit into your current back-of-house flow. Does it require a long prep time? Do you have the necessary equipment to prepare it? Do you have the storage required for an item that might be SUPER popular?
No matter how trendy or exciting an item may seem, it may not be worth it if it costs you too much in time and labor.
How Do I Market This Exciting New LTO?
Identifying and creating your exciting new LTO is just part of the work; now it’s time to get customers in the door and ordering. Similar to where you found any trend insights, take to social media. Posting delicious Instagram Reels or TikTok videos is an appealing way to get customer attention and lets them easily share the news with friends so the word gets out. Not the savviest social media user? No problem, try reaching out to influencers or popular “foodie” accounts in your area. Invite them for a free meal and see if they’ll share their experience with their followers.
