Top 6 Emerging QSR Trends To Look Forward To

Build loyalty, protect data, and go green.

QSRs are a huge international industry, employing over 12 million people globally with approximately 826,000 fast-food restaurants in operation worldwide. According to research by Market Research Future, the Quick Service Restaurant market is expected to grow to $577.7 billion USD globally by 2028.

Increasingly, restaurant companies are seeking innovative ways to drive consumers to their stores. Here are the top six emerging QSR trends, based on a global survey, that you need to watch in 2022 and beyond.

1. Expect instant gratification.

As a result of people ordering foods online or picking up prepared meals at the store, customers have become less patient with wait times. They will no longer tolerate slow service at the table, counter, or drive-thru.

A global survey found that 33% of respondents who order via table service will get annoyed if they have to wait longer than 5 minutes for their server.  Meanwhile, 56% of those who use a counter to order and 59% of those who drive up to a window would become annoyed after waiting no more than 5 minutes for service.

Redcat's contactless ordering and payment system helps QSRs keep up with this trend by allowing customers to order and pay for their food at-table. They simply need to access the menu via QR code,  place their order, and pay via credit card or mobile wallet—all without having to wait for a server.

2. Offer click-and-collect programs.

Click and collect drives customer loyalty by offering shoppers an opportunity to pick up items in-store later while they are buying groceries, or doing some errands, among others.

Customers who choose click and collect over in-person pick-up enjoy the ease of this service. Based on the global survey, 63% of customers like this option or seek out brands that offer it; 44% say it increases their loyalty to the brand.

The same survey suggests that offering customers a Click and Collect service can increase their spending. Among millennials, 70% of those surveyed said they would spend more. In Australia, 44% of respondents said that they would spend more if the Click and Collect service is available.

3. Offer a variety of payment methods.

QSRs should offer their customers the ability to make payments using whichever method they prefer. The global survey showed that globally credit card is the most preferred way of payment to QSRs with 47% preference. Cash comes next at 44% preference but its popularity has declined. 

There is a growing preference (40%) for contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay as well as payment via website or online ordering (15%) and slow emergence of alternative payments like cryptocurrency (4%).

For QSR payment requirements, Redcat's polygon payment cloud is a good choice to streamline the payment process. It integrates with multiple Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) and payment systems like Stripe, Ayden, and Zip, enabling payment details to be automatically processed.

4. Create personalised offers.

When people interact with brands digitally, they expect to see personalised offers tailored to their interests and preferences. But what personalised offers from QSRs do customers want? According to a survey of global consumers, 55% of respondents would like to receive location-based offers, while 48% would like to receive offers from related partner brands. Other popular personalised offers include dietary preferences (46%) and suggestions based on their purchase history (45%).

Redcat's tailored, branded apps feature personalises loyalty programs and recommendations that are based on customer's purchase history. These apps also allow customers to easily update their details and preferences, so they can continue to receive personalised offers that they're interested in. Customers can also see how many points they've earned and manage their gift cards all in one place.

5. Make consumer data transparent.

Consumer trust is critical for successful businesses, so QSRs need to maintain a trusting relationship with consumers. QSRs must be transparent with customer data as 48% of consumers said they want to ensure that they know exactly how their information is being used.

In Australia, 50% of respondents said that they would love to have the ability to have visibility and control over who has access to the personal data that they share with restaurants and delivery companies.

6. Make visible sustainable practices.

A majority of consumers (71%) are more concerned about the environment than they were before the pandemic as shown in the global survey. When choosing a QSR establishment, 49% of respondents said they would choose the one with biodegradable packaging, 43% would choose the QSR with biodegradable paper straws, 42% would choose the QSR that offers low-emission takeout and delivery options.

Looking for new sustainable ideas? How about a paperless kitchen? Redcat's Kitchen Management System (KDS) improves order accuracy and reduces wait times by sending orders directly from the POS ordering terminal to the kitchen.  It also reduces the potential for mistakes by removing the reliance on slips of paper.

Conclusion

Each of these trends are  interesting on their  own. However, the sum of the parts is even more compelling. With such a wealth of information and new opportunities to meaningfully connect with consumers, QSRs are poised to continue redefining the customer experience in exciting ways.

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Global Survey Reference:

Oracle, “Restaurant Trends in 2022,” 2022.