The rise of Dry January and sober dining

Dry January is a trend that has gained traction over the last few years as part of a sober-curious movement, often continuing well past the final day in January. Studies show that 49 per cent of consumers are trying to consume less alcohol this year, which is a 44 per cent increase over 2023. Recent […]

Making beverage menus relevant for today’s consumers

With inflation continuing and menu prices rising, what does the future of the beverage market look like? Cocktails and mocktails have seen increased popularity in recent years, as Happy Hours resumed and many people returned to work and their preferred social habits. However, about 50 per cent of people were drinking less in the first […]

Get guests gathering for Happy Hour

As the holidays approach and gatherings ramp up, Happy Hour is one way to attract guests to your restaurant – but the concept has lost a little of its lustre recently. Studies show that 47 per cent of people believe that the discounts offered during Happy Hour are negligible and 62 per cent say that […]

What’s driving adult beverage trends?

By Katie Belflower Adult beverage mentions are up 7.5 per cent on menus in the last year, with specialty drinks just edging out that overall number at 7.8 per cent growth. Many of the classic drink options are growing in popularity, with margaritas (+ 41 per cent) and martinis (+ 45 per cent) among those […]

Cheers to this year’s top beverage trends

Spring has officially arrived, so let’s celebrate with this year’s top beverage trends! While some of the popular choices from last year continue to dominate diner demand, 2024 offers a few new directions for restaurateurs looking to broaden their beverage menus to get creative and build a buzz. Alcoholic beverages make up about 21 per […]

Add food and beverage pairings to your menu

When you’re looking to increase guest cheque totals at your restaurant, adding pairings to your menu might just do the trick. Suggestive selling, or upselling, becomes simpler when your team has the tools to easily pair complementary food and beverages. Wine pairings are the traditional way to go, but there are other ways to boost […]

Mocktails get a makeover as consumer demand rises

The last few years have seen a significant rise in mocktails on menus as operators get creative with non-alcoholic beverages to meet the growing consumer demand. As 57 per cent of global consumers plan to participate in Dry January, restaurants need to look at their menus for opportunities to add in items that will satisfy […]

Back-to-school promos for your restaurant

As the weather starts to turn, we are reminded that back-to-school is around the corner, so how can your restaurant attract families at this time of year? Fall often brings a hectic schedule for families, so it’s time to sharpen your pencil to create something that will attract diners to your restaurant. A new start […]

Are you giving your guests what they want?

From the menu to the experience, guests have an expectation when they visit your restaurant. Are you delivering on that expectation? Do you know what your guests want from your restaurant? Datassential’s mid-year trend report gives us a look at what diners value most when they go out to eat these days, as we proceed […]

Why non-alcoholic beverages are a must for your menu

Making sure your menu features non-alcoholic beverages is a must for summer, however, non-alcoholic beverages are a hit all year, including fancy hot drinks, slushies, milkshakes, and more. Consumers typically see these items as a way to treat themselves, so it’s a great way for restaurants to up those cheque totals. Each category of non-alcoholic […]