CUSTOMER ENGAGEMENT THE TAKEOUT GAME

Although consumers are seeking the experience of on-premises dining, takeout is here to stay, according to the National Restaurant Association. Among many benefits, dedicated takeout counters and windows provide a quick and easy way for consumers to grab hot, restaurant quality meals.

A total of 38% of casual-dining restaurant operators expect dedicated takeout counters and windows to be even more prevalent in 2023. Eighteen percent of these operators say they will be less common, while 44% of casual-dining operators expect them to stay at the same level.

On the other hand, quick-service, fast-casual and coffee & snack operators are bullish on the idea of top by: Rick Barrett, Ambitious Creative Co. dedicated counters and windows. Respectively, 47%, 49% and 50% of these operators expect them to be more common. Meanwhile, 43%, 39% and 38%, respectively, say they will remain at the same level.

Source: National Restaurant Association “State of the Restaurant Industry” report.

Curbside service, on the other hand, has not taken hold as firmly as other modern, pandemicera options. Operators express a mix of feelings: By and large, they expect curbside takeout to remain the same versus grow. A total of 49% of casual-dining operators and 40% of quick-service operators expect it to remain the same. Only 29% of casual-dining operators expect it to be more common, while 39% of quick-service operators feel the same way.