What you need to know about meal delivery in 2022

The pandemic has changed the game for restaurants with the need to turn to delivery. And restaurants have adapted by posting their presence on several delivery apps. With this shift already underway, what else can you see changing in 2022? A quick overview in this
article.

1. Aiming for sustainability and zero waste

Consumers are increasingly interested in environmental protection. And of course, they are also interested in the practices of restaurants. Two thirds of consumers say they are willing to pay more to eat in more environmentally friendly establishments. Even if opting for cleaner packaging may seem less attractive financially, you will benefit financially in the medium to long term because your customers will be sensitive to this approach. Don't hesitate to educate your customers on how they can deal with their packaging once the food has been consumed. To take this approach even further, you can offer your customers the opportunity to bring their own containers.

Another option is to offer some sort of 'take-back' of their packaging for recycling yourself or reuse.

2. Reduce commissions

Many restaurants offered the first meal delivery to their customers during COVID-19. This resulted in costs for them. Furthermore, by being present on several delivery platforms, commissions add up. As food orders increase and become the norm, customers are increasingly willing to place their orders directly with their restaurants. If you sense this trend for your own establishment, why not consider creating your own in-house delivery service? You'll take back control of your customer experience and avoid the costs associated with running delivery platforms.

3. Adapting to new ways of working

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If you have workers in your clientele, get into the habit of packing your dishes individually. This will be much easier to manage than large shared dishes packed together. And the same goes for people who work from home. Also keep in mind that companies are looking for new ways to create innovative and unifying remote team experiences.

4. Robots to make up for labour shortages?

The pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation of restaurants. The use of QR codes, personalised applications, new habits have emerged. The goal for 2022 is to develop robots to interact with customers. This has already been done with payments, food preparation and service.

5. Have you ever thought of delivering your food with drones?

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Another trend worth mentioning is drone delivery. Although drones are not yet the norm for food delivery, it is interesting to know that some companies are already thinking of using these devices to make their deliveries. For the time being, this idea remains more or less futuristic, but delivery by drone would be faster and cheaper than with traditional vehicles.

6. What can your customers expect from snacks and drinks in 2022?

The closure of cinemas has increased consumer interest in viewing platforms. So popcorn could still be popular in 2022!

New trends have emerged in the US, such as gourmet popcorn infused with alcohol!

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About RusHour

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RusHour s mission is to become a trusted partner for restaurants worldwide, offering several products and services that help restaurants adapt to the technology and trends of tomorrow. We provide our clients with a unique way to manage all online orders from multiple platforms from one place. At the same time, our team of experts is on hand day in and day out to support restaurant owners through this change.

Any questions? Write to us: hello@rushour.io

Need a demonstration? Make an appointment right here!

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