The Food Group, New York, identified the latest insights into operator behaviors to help manufacturers expand their reach and increase profitability in the year ahead.

The new “Foodservice Operator Behavior Report: Speed and Convenience in the Digital Age” white paper delivers a big-picture view of operator attitudes and behaviors, including how they’re responding to customer demands, what types of information and resources they’re seeking and how they’re navigating the purchase process.

Here are the following insights:

• High tech leads to higher satisfaction. Whether through delivery, apps or social media engagement, operators are adapting to meet the demands of consumers seeking more convenient dining out experiences that value their time.
• Transparency is the new normal. More than half of operators said their Gen Y and Gen Z customers are interested in or request information about the food they order. They also are more likely to order plant-based and organic items, and are especially interested in sustainably grown, clean label and responsibly sourced products.

• Labor costs continue to be a concern. A stable labor market, the struggle to fill new positions and retain workers and rising minimum wage requirements are all driving operators to seek technologies (such as staffing software and apps) that make their businesses more agile and efficient.
• Buying online and on the line. Like their consumer counterparts, foodservice operators continue to consider online purchasing a valuable and convenient option for their businesses. In fact, most operators (73%) make online purchases at least once a week, and nearly half (47%) expect to do so even more often in the near future.