The way to start your day, boost your energy, and the meal that should not be skipped, breakfast! However, for the last few years, breakfast has been the meal to skip, at least when it comes to going to restaurants. People can throw together a quick, cheap meal at home and would rather save their dollars for a lunch break or dinner outing with family and friends. However, 2024 just might be the year that breakfast makes a comeback for the food service industry. Many fast food chains are already rolling out their breakfast menu and even more full service restaurants that used to stay closed until mid afternoon are opening their doors earlier for the mid-morning brunch crowd!
During the pandemic, travel was down and so were restaurant industry numbers, but breakfast seems to have taken the biggest hit for restaurants. Offices were closed, vacation attractions were closed, so people were not going anywhere first thing in the morning. Instead, people stayed home and made their own food. Now, people are back in full swing. Offices are open and people are picking up their favorite baked goods or breakfast tacos to bring in for their co-workers. Travelers are back to sightseeing and grabbing a quick breakfast before they start their adventure for the day and as a result, the breakfast scene seems to be back.
One great thing about this is, restaurants can add breakfast items to their menu for low costs. Most breakfast foods are easy to make, and could potentially mean higher revenue for your business. For casual dining or fine dining spaces, brunch has become a popular choice for customers. It tends to be less expensive than a dinner outing, but still offers fun drinks, great food and a social experience that is comparable to dinner.
Another great reason for bringing breakfast back is one we have mentioned in a previous blog. Many customers are looking to spend money on snack foods rather than an entire meal, and breakfast food is a great way to do that. They can grab some egg bites or French toast sticks for a lower price. Consumers can’t always afford to buy an entire entree with sides due to the higher prices these days, so this is a great way for people to get their fill without breaking the bank.
While there are many benefits of adding breakfast to your menu, like increased profits, appealing to a new customer base is a big one, and it’s also a great budget friendly option for customers. That said, there are things you will need to consider beforehand, like your location, your overall restaurant concept and target audience and the added hours and staff you will need. It may not be a good fit for every restaurant, but there is definitely potential in the most important meal of the day, so it’s worth looking into.
