In today’s world, more than good food is necessary to stand out in an ever booming market. With the pandemic opening doors for home chefs in a crowded market of cafes, and cloud kitchens, competition to cater to the changing needs and preferences of customers is a challenge to bring longevity to the business. Each brand, be it for in-dining experiences or home deliveries, should have something extra to keep customers coming back. Only those unique experiences, including the remarkable food, motivate customers to return. This is pushing restaurants to find innovative ways to sustain themselves.
1. Niche Menus: Specific Audiences Targeting
Perhaps the most effective way to separate a restaurant from competition is through specialization in a niche menu. Focusing on a certain cuisine or diet trend would not only develop a specific audience but also create a loyal customer base who appreciate the skills required in preparing dishes. Whether it’s a vegan-only menu, gluten-free dishes or ‘fusionista’ like Mexican-Korean tacos, niche menus speak to a specific section of the audience and create a clearer profile for the restaurant brand.
These gaps are widely recognized by restaurant owners and chefs who regularly monitor food trends. They take up this opportunity to curate dishes that reflect current trends and their vision for the restaurant which will invariably keep the menus alive and relevant.
2. Plating for the Gram
With Instagram now popular, especially in the food business for free marketing, the presentation of food is just as important, if not more so, than the taste. Customers tend to snap pictures of these fantastic looking dishes and then share them, giving the restaurants great free publicity. Creative and vibrant plating, along with some unique garnishes, can make a meal more Instagram-worthy. Think desserts with edible flowers, drinks with dramatic dry ice effects, etc. Restaurateurs and chefs may consult with menu consultants on how to create delicious yet Instagrammable dishes.
3. Unconventional Decor, Glassware and Cutlery
The dining environment adds significantly to the experience of the customer. Dining places that have an offbeat type of decor, down-beat glassware, and quirky cutlery create an experience that is remembered and differentiated. Aesthetic variations that are theme based, from vintage interiors to minimalist and modern seating, add that value to the place itself in terms of experience. For cloud kitchens that focus on delivering food, creativity in packaging and branding can add the needed personality. For those cafes where dine-in services are available, investing in quirky plates or custom-designed cups add a personal touch that customers treasure and remember.
4. Hiring External Professionals to Curate the Experience
Experts such as interior designers and menu consultants could help jazz up a restaurant’s offering. Interior designers might create the designs for spaces which follow a certain theme, and curate the décor and interiors to help stand out with the rising competition. Similarly, menu experts can help in drawing up and aligning the menu to the latest trends and yet keep up with consistency to flavour and quality. For instance, a seafood-themed café could combine nautical décor with a menu featuring dishes curated by a consultant to highlight the best seasonal catch.
It’s all about creative innovation, cleverness, and customer-centricity to stand out in this highly competitive scenario of the restaurant business. Through custom-branding, unique plating, eye-catching designs, and finally, expert advice from a menu consultants such as NuTaste who can offer food solutions as well could prove a differentiator for HoReCa while winning them loyal customers, where it’s not just about food but experiences that cannot be found elsewhere.
