Economic uncertainty, changes in consumer behavior, and the application of AI are three key themes in the European restaurant sector, according to Katrin Wißmann. As Program Director, she is responsible for the programming of the European Foodservice Summit, a trend event for European food professionals. In September, Madrid will serve as the setting for this two-day conference. Wißmann shares the key topics currently at play in the European foodservice market with Food Inspiration.
Katrin Wißmann: “The international restaurant sector is at a tipping point. ‘Past results no longer offer guarantees for the future.’ The economy is uncertain, cost pressure remains high, and consumer behavior is changing rapidly. Making the right strategic choices is therefore more important than ever. The major challenge here is to move from reactive to adaptive: not adapting your business to changes, but learning how to turn changes into growth.”
5 growth opportunities in times of economic uncertainty
So, what are the most important societal changes of the moment? And how can you translate them into growth?
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Market insight
The restaurant sector is facing economic uncertainty. The warm, dry summer disrupts crop yields, geopolitical tensions lead to uncertain and constantly changing regulations, and raw material and labor costs rise every year. For companies seeking economic growth, it is therefore more important than ever to have insight into factors influencing consumer confidence and to know how to anticipate them as a business.
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Know your target audience
Consumer behavior is changing. We see this everywhere in Europe. Generational preferences differ like night and day and change continuously. This means that consumer demand is also constantly changing. Consequently, for hospitality entrepreneurs, growth depends increasingly on insight into who their target audience is, what their wishes are, and how their eating habits and spending behavior are evolving within that specific target group.
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Continuous innovation as a prerequisite for success
Guest loyalty is no longer a given in the hospitality industry. Successful restaurants recognize that they must continuously adapt their proposition, brand, and menu to changes in society and to the expectations and wishes of their target audience. Continuous innovation is becoming a prerequisite for long-term success.
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AI distinguishes you from competitors
Artificial intelligence is entering a new phase in the foodservice industry. The conversation is no longer about what AI *could* do, but about what is actually already happening with AI in the sector. Now that hospitality entrepreneurs are facing staff shortages and margin pressure, AI is emerging as a powerful tool to optimize processes and create a competitive advantage.
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Unforgettable experiences as a differentiating factor
As convenience becomes increasingly decisive and accessible within the retail and take-away sectors, restaurants must offer guests compelling reasons to choose them. Innovative concepts, authentic stories about the origin of ingredients and dishes, and unforgettable experiences are therefore becoming increasingly important.
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Special offer: discount on tickets for the European Foodservice Summit
The 27th edition of the European Foodservice Summit takes place from September 15 to 17 in Madrid. Every year, around 300 food executives from more than 25 European countries attend the summit. The event is organized by dfv media group, an independent media platform based in Frankfurt.
European food professionals receive a €100 discount on the ticket price using this link »
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