The Latest Tech Trends Innovating the Food Takeaway Sector

No business sector is ever static. There are always new technologies, ways of working, and products hitting the market that have the potential to change the sector forever, and if you’re missing out on them, you could be losing a competitive advantage. If you’re looking for some of the next big tech trends in the takeaway sector, here are our top picks.

Whether you’re looking to make a career change with a takeaway franchise or are choosing the right franchise for you, you’ll need to make clear to your prospective franchisor how your business will stand out. One surefire way to do exactly that is to tap into some of the big tech trends in this sector.

From delivery methods to ways of cooking, there’s a lot going on in the food takeaway industry. So, if you’re ready to start your own takeaway franchise, here are some of the latest trends innovating the takeaway sector. 

The 4 biggest trends innovating the food takeaway sector

1. Delivery platforms

It’s not new and it’s certainly no secret: food delivery platforms have changed this industry forever. Even before the pandemic, online food platforms were seeing a compound annual growth rate of 35% [Ibis World]. It goes without saying that these platforms have been one of the biggest winners of the pandemic.

On top of the huge growth of these platforms, the bigger changes in this industry go even beyond this. Thanks to the direct-to-door delivery that these platforms offer businesses, lots of takeaway franchises don’t even need a fixed premises address. The platforms themselves have significantly changed the way this industry works. Though it is one of the more obvious tech trends in this sector, it remains the most influential.

COVID-19 has propelled the industry a few years into the future, as millions of people in lockdown ordered food online for the first time. Grocery delivery service Instacart said it achieved its 2022 goals in the third week of lockdown.
- David Curry, Business of Apps

2. Food options

For a long time, many takeaway restaurants have typically focused their efforts on meat options. But, thanks to scientific and technological advances, meat-free, lab-grown and alternative foods have not only become popular, but easily mass producible at scale.

There are lots of tech and takeaway start-ups that are bringing new, exciting and innovative ways of mass producing food to the market. These new food sources are environmentally friendly and often cheaper to produce. While there are existing vegan franchises, the mass production of sustainably-sourced foods is spawning lots of exciting new franchises. 

Looking ahead, technologies that enable automation and mass-scale production of synthetic and plant-based products will prove invaluable, not only in ensuring that we continue to build a greener, more sustainable future for the food industry as a whole, but to ensure the highest standards of health and safety are upheld, both for factory workers and the food they work with.
- New Food Magazine

3. Sustainability

As more businesses shift their emphasis towards operating as sustainably as they are profitably, there are lots of new pieces of technology that are becoming ever-more important. There are a few different ways to prioritise sustainability when running your own takeaway franchise, so you could consider tapping into any of the following trends:

• reusable, edible, soluble or biodegradable packaging
• electric vehicle delivery
• using solar panels to power your energy
• e-receipts instead of paper
• deposits and trade-in schemes

While takeaways are more popular than ever, there is equal concern over the environmental impact. Consider how your franchise can balance both profitability, sustainability and social mission statements.

Results showed that more than two-thirds of the respondents consider sustainability when making a purchase and are willing to pay more for sustainable products. Despite being a relatively new buying group, Gen Z shoppers make up some of the most conscious buyers, with 68 percent having made an eco-friendly purchase in the past year.
- CGS

4. Cookers

Even down to the industrial cookers and ovens you use, there is plenty of room for innovation. There are new cookers and ovens that use far fewer harmful ingredients and oils and sometimes even cook quicker.

Depending on what franchise you want to work with, you may be able to secure some of these new cookers for yourself. As a franchisee, you will be able to count on the backing and support of an oftentimes big national franchise. Through discussions with your franchisor, and as outlined in your business plan, you may be able to use some of these new cookers to help reduce your business’ harmful impact. 

The best commercial air fryers surround your foods with high-speed and super-heated air with a half tablespoon of oil to cook your foods. The results are just as crispy and brown as with deep frying without all the fat. In addition, a lot of units air fry using a quicker cooking time, so it’s a perfect choice for people with hectic schedules.
- Full Moon Restaurant

Start your own food takeaway franchise 

The food takeaway sector is full of exciting and ambitious franchises, and with so many exciting new tech-basd trends changing the way the industry works, there’s plenty of scope for ambitious franchisees to grow. Whether you’re new to the industry or looking to pursue your own business opportunity as a franchisee yourself, there are lots of resources available to you on Point Franchise. 

But, if running a takeaway business isn’t quite right for you, you could be better suited to making a career change with a restaurant franchise. But, if becoming a restaurant manager doesn’t interest you either, you can see a full list of franchise opportunities on the UK franchise directory. You’ll be able to scroll through the sectors that suit your skills, compare franchising costs and fees, and see more about the opportunities that interest you.