Will This Hot Restaurant Trend Catch on in Louisiana?

SHREVEPORT, LA - Restaurants have spent the past 3 years adjusting to the new dining trends as they still try to recover from the pandemic stranglehold.

Many were forced to completely adjust their business model during the height of the health crisis.

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But now, restaurant owners are dealing with new challenges as diners have changed their expectations and dining habits. Open Table has put out a report showing that dining alone is a growing trend. The report shows single-person reservations are up by 29% at American eateries over the past two years.

What Are the Challenges Restaurants Face?

The biggest challenge facing restaurants continues to be staffing. A report from the National Restaurant Association says

It’s all about creating a positive work environment, respecting staff as individuals with lives outside the four walls of a restaurant, and treating them with the same respect and consideration that they’re trained to extend to guests. Plus, having a happier staff tends to be good for business in a tight labor market.

Restaurants are also forced to pay higher wages to keep those staffers onboard. And that is impacting the prices diners have to pay for that great night out.

What's the Latest Trend Diners Want?

We will probably see more digital involvement in our dining in the next few months or years. Restaurant operators say customers are very excited to learn they can reserve a table for a specific time and even order their food online before arriving. 

The NRA says 70% of people would use an option to place their order online, schedule a time to arrive at the restaurant, and get their food shortly after they’re seated.

Is this a Game Changer for Restaurants?

Yes. This will speed up the dining process. Online ordering will free up the tables quicker and help drive more revenue for restaurants. Owners will be able to serve more diners in every shift.

But restaurants still want to cater to those diners who want a personalized dining experience. This is now an expectation for most guests. And this online ordering will help meet this expectation because servers will know exactly what diners want before they ever sit down. 

These new digital ordering programs will also save your past orders in case you have a go to meal at a certain favorite spot.