Identifying the Next Casual Dining Innovation Wave to Surf

Although it has similar hospitality staffing, labour and rising cost issues as those experienced in Australia, London’s venue foot traffic is back to at least 85 per cent of that pre-pandemic (where Australia’s is lagging, at around 70 to 75 per cent). 

With a strong multicultural influence, young and vibrant market precincts plus similar customer behaviours to Australia, this historic city now leads the way on quality, affordable contemporary product offers, and new trends. In addition, the reforms implemented post mad cow disease propelled Britain towards world class food quality standards and now the customer service standards are to match.

Whilst we were London, we visited the Casual Dining Expo trade show and the educational seminars. Some of the key learnings included:

• 40 per cent of females aged 16–24 don't drink alcohol. There is a similar trend in Australia among Gen Zs and Millennials. Whilst the cocktail movement is continuing to strengthen, it is becoming more about the ingredients, and the science and theatre of the ingredients and their presentation, rather than the alcohol per se.
• Venue engagement with customers is moving beyond alcohol specifically, or food and beverage generally. This means formats such as market halls continue to boom, and new formats are entering such as multipurpose precincts and blended environments that combine food, beverage, retail, cultural and arts events. 
• The extension of venues beyond casual dining is seeing the emergence of the ‘competitive socialisation’; and gamification of venue environments, often technology based. This can be anything from interactive darts and clay target shooting to immersive football and Formula 1 racing using high-tech simulators. It’s completely contemporary, rather than relying on the nostalgia of retro arcade games (although these play a role too) and has seen the rise of esports pubs and gaming offers in brewpubs, breweries, and pubs alike. 
• ‘Culture and Leadership’ has become a major focus from owners with two of the top four projections for hospitality investment in the next three years being staff engagement and staff training. (The other two are investment into technology, such as in virtual order and collection queueing systems, and expansion.) This is evidenced in elevated service levels, which we experienced in many of the venues we visited.
• Sustainability and ESG also remain as core focus areas and key influencers for decision making amongst both staff and customers. Many venues promote their responsible, ethical, and local product sourcing and a number of feature active local community engagement programs and initiatives beyond sponsorships.

Tully Heard took our tour guests to see these trends for themselves in the flesh, and to gain an appreciation for how good the experience can be. And this was evident across the several dozen casual dining venue types we visited, spanning fast and elevated casual dining, sports and esports bars, brewpubs, markets, food halls, nurseries, bars, mixed-use precincts, and gastropubs. 

All of that which we experienced in London will either be coming to our shores — and some are already here in one form or another. We encourage you revitalise your curiosity and discover the next casual dining innovation waves to surf are and will be.

For more information about Tully Heard learning tours and expressions of interest for next year’s tour, get in touch with John at [email protected].