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How can your restaurant adapt to the snacking trend?

If you've spent any time on social media recently, you've probably noticed the rise of TikTok trends such as "little treat culture" and "girl dinner" over traditional full meals. Driven by busy lifestyles, today's customers crave quick, visually attractive, inexpensive treats that fit their on-the-go lives.

Photo: TundraFMP

July 10, 2024

Driven by busy lifestyles, today's customers crave quick, visually attractive, inexpensive treats that fit their on-the-go lives. Factor in the appeal of affordable indulgences, and how snackable bites naturally pair with social media content; a bona fide shift in how Americans eat out has arrived. So, how can your restaurant take advantage of the snacking craze? Let's dive in.

Why are customers choosing snacks over full meals?

Not only are modern consumers busier than ever, but changes in routine, such as the evolution towards hybrid and flexible work schedules, have driven a need for quick, convenient alternatives to sit-down traditional meals. Factor in rising food costs, consumers are migrating to more affordable options and viewing the buying of premium products as affordable luxuries. Snacks, coffee drinks, and the like are often seen as inexpensive indulgences that provide a sense of luxury without the cost of a full meal. As small bites and premium drinks are often visually appealing, they also naturally lend themselves to engaging social media content — thus leading to the TikTok phenomenon known as "little treat culture."

Expanding your menu of snack options

To keep your menu current and capitalize on this foodservice trend, consider adding a variety of snack options. But how do you come up with innovative menu ideas? According to Restaurant Dive, diners choose their snacks based on their mood, time of day, ease of travel, health, and more. While it's important to offer variety, your restaurant snack menu must align with your concept and market segment, whether that's quick service, fast casual, or full service. While considering your concept and market segment (aka what your restaurant does best), let's explore a few popular snack options to get your creative menu juices flowing.

The healthy snack market, like smoothies, is predicted to continue growing, thanks to current health and wellness trends. A high-quality blender, like the Vitamix XL Commercial Blender, can help create nutritious and easily customizable snacks for customers who prefer to take their items to go. Equally transportable but more indulgent treats can include pretzels, churros, cookies, and pizza. A versatile appliance such as the Winco Rotating Pizza/Pretzel Warmer can display these items while keeping them warm and ready to serve.

XL® Commercial Food Blender

For a more upscale presentation or sit-down option, consider customizable charcuterie boards. The mixes of cheese, meats, fruits, and nuts can play on your restaurant concept and be offered in flexible portions that cater to solo diners or groups. Tablecraft offers a tremendous selection of attractive Acacia wood serving boards that instantly turn a grazing meal into an Instagram-worthy presentation.

12 in Acacia Collection™ Round Serving Board

Finally, consider where your customers are eating their snacks—whether in the car, at the restaurant, at home, or in the office—and ensure you have appropriate and attractive disposables to enhance the convenience, appeal, and social media aesthetic of your snack offerings.

Give your customers a taste of the snacking trend

By tweaking your menu to include a range of snacks, you are not only keeping your restaurant relevant to a broader customer base but increasing customer satisfaction, sales, and even social media engagement. Contact your TundraFMP client representative for personalized support in this evolving market, including extensive product recommendations for upgrading your snack menus with high-quality equipment and disposables.

For further restaurant industry insights, check out How to Create a Successful Food Prep Station.

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TundraFMP helps foodservice operators do what they do best – by providing fast, flexible and complete kitchen solutions. We offer the most complete selection of restaurant equipment, apparel, smallwares, parts, and accessories in the industry.

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