Colleges and universities are gearing up for the upcoming academic year. Foodservice in colleges is an important aspect requiring crucial decision making. Food trends continue evolving. The ever-changing specifications for college dining are impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
To respond to the upcoming challenges and changes, here are some college food trends for 2021, this was research conducted on the top 100 universities in 2020.
#Takeout & Delivery
Takeout and delivery concepts are growing in restaurants across the country. It is a concept that a number of colleges & universities are exploring for on-campus restaurants or dining spaces. As a college restaurant provider, if you wish to seamlessly transition to smooth delivery, here are some points to consider:
- New Software: Add or update proper POS software to the respective front-of-house operations. This will allow you to keep track of the inventory and orders.
- Space: Is the kitchen of the college dining hall spacious enough for proper preparation and packaging? Are you able to deliver access to space for takeout students and delivery drivers to pick up your orders? It is crucial to redesign the dining hall for keeping both the staff as well as dine-in customers safe.
- In-house Vs. Third-party Delivery: Consider the merits and demerits of both. In-house delivery reduces third-party commission fees. However, you are required to reimburse the delivery drivers for gas along with hourly wages.
- Proper Packaging: You should consider investing in abundant containers and bags. Look for packaging that is capable of ventilating and insulating food items for a longer period.
If you decide to incorporate delivery in your college food scenario, you should offer the same to some surrounding community along with staff and students.
#Dedicated Meal Kits
During the COVID-19 pandemic, most restaurants out there opt for meal kits for driving more sales and serving the favorite dishes of the clients. This serves to be a potential alternative for campus dining as well. Dedicated meal kits are available in a wide range of options -from deli sandwich kits to heat & eat frozen dinners to gourmet ingredient packages.
The pre-packed options are great for college students who find time for just instant microwaving or preparing a meal from the dorm rooms. A highly complex and healthy kit featuring multiple ingredients is ideal for students searching for a delicious, yet affordable meal.
#Grab & Go Markets
The given concept is not too new for college students. On-campus marketplaces and convenience stores have been in trend for the past several years. The given trend offers staff as well as students an easier way of grabbing food as well as beverages on the go. However, due to the rise of the pandemic, the given markets are becoming increasingly prevalent in comparison to conventional common eating areas and dining halls.
A grab-and-go market can typically include much more than mere packaged foods and beverages. Most of them have evolved over years to come up with fresher and healthier options.
Conclusion
With the ever-changing face of the restaurant industry across the globe due to the pandemic, it is high time that college students adopt the latest food trends.
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