Restaurant Food Trends in 2012

Expect to see certain trends in restaurant food in the new year.  According to recent reports, predicted 2012 trends include: 

• Comfort foods and familiar foods with a twist
• Ethnic, artisan and wood-fired items
• Rustic fare made in-house, which also helps to keep costs down
• Local sourcing to support local farmers and seasonal produce
• Social networking, promoting brands and allowing customers to share opinions and experiences
• Customers want more information, including the calories, allergens and ingredients in food
  

  Domino's recently rolled out its artisan pizza line

Mary Chapman, the director of product innovation for Technomic, a consulting firm for the food industry, says, “Consumers want as much as they can get for the money, and they see value in an item that’s fresh, made just for me and also serving my community by supporting my local farmers.” 

A sign at the Five Guys burger chain

I’m excited to see some of these trends over the next few months.  I’d also like to see a trend of healthier items available at restaurants, including more meatless options.  Although, eating locally and divulging food/ingredient information may help to achieve this goal. What are some of your hopes or observations for 2012 food trends?

Resources: What are hot restaurant trends for 2012? by Lori Weisberg; 2012′s Seven Top Restaurant Trends