NRA Predicts 2011 Restaurant Industry Trends

The National Restaurant Association recently published their 2011 Restaurant Industry Forecast. The study provides insight into the mind of today’s restaurant consumer and what they are looking for when dining out. Some of the major trends that the NRA projects in the coming year include an increased use of online social networking media and mobile food trucks.

The number of consumers who utilize online social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, and mobile phone applications such as Foursquare and Yelp is projected to increase. The NRA’s study indicates that consumers who utilize applications like Foursquare and Yelp typically dine out more than consumers who do not utilize such applications. The study also concludes that these same consumers, who are already active in the restaurant community, are also more like to use online social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and You Tube.

Consumers’ interest in mobile food trucks will also be on the rise in the coming year. Thanks to reality television shows like The Food Network’s “The Great Food Truck Race”, restaurant consumers everywhere seem to have an increased awareness and desire for mobile food trucks. The NRA’s study indicates that nearly half of restaurant consumers say they would be likely to patronize mobile food trucks if their favorite restaurants operated them.