TOP FAST FOOD FUTURIST: WHY ARE RESTAURANTS EMBRACING NEW TRENDS, INNOVATIONS AND TECHNOLOGY?

Consulting as a fast food futurist and restaurant keynote speaker, it’s obvious that massive change is coming to the quick service (QSR) space. Why, you ask? Because there’s a huge tidal wave of new technology, emerging trends, and new online services just peeking its head over the horizon. Being the good fast food futurist and restaurant keynote speakers we are, we wanted to serve up a few reasons that QSR and fast casual leaders are adopting new trends and technologies:

• Increased competition. The fast food industry is highly competitive. Adopting the latest food and tech trends helps chains differentiate themselves and appeal to changing consumer preferences.
• Demand for convenience. Customers want faster and easier ways to order and receive food, per leading fast food futurists and restaurant keynote speakers. New technologies like kiosks, mobile apps, and AI drive-thrus improve convenience.
• Generational preferences. Younger generations are big adopters of new technology and demand digital, customized experiences. Meeting their preferences is critical for fast food brands.
• Data and analytics. New POS systems, online ordering, mobile apps provide troves of customer data that chains can analyze to streamline operations and boost sales.
• Higher margins. Innovations like self-order kiosks and mobile ordering can help reduce labor costs in the fast food industry’s traditionally thin profit margins.
• Sustainability. Implementing recycling initiatives, reducing packaging waste, and adding plant-based menu options allow fast food brands to keep up with green and ESG trends.
• Voice technology. The addition of speech assistants and AI chatbots makes the ordering process more seamless and enhances customer experience, as fast food futurists and top restaurant keynote speakers have noted.

While holdouts remain, fast food chains by and large recognize the need to innovate to stay relevant and entice modern consumers seeking speed, convenience, personalization, and technology-enabled experiences.