Brace yourself for a crazy year in Fast Food.
We’re only in the first half of 2024 and it looks like we’re in for a wild ride. The Fast Food industry is constantly evolving as brands and companies look to switch things up and keep customers happy and satisfied.
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The future of fast food looks crazier than ever and I bet you won’t believe what number one is!
From more unexpected flavor pairings to AI-powered customization, let’s have a look at the 10 Craziest Fast Food Trends Coming for 2024.
10. More Fast Food Hacks
Who doesn’t love a good fast food hack? Menu hacks and secret menu items have been around since In-n-Out’s infamous “Animal Style Fries” started making rounds through word of mouth in the 1960s. Today, everyone on social media seems to have their own little ways to spice up their fast food orders with things that aren’t typically available on the menu. Even employees working in these very establishments are in on the fun. Expect to see more of these hacks on how to make your meals better or how you could save money on an order.
9. Driverless Food Trucks
KFC China recently went viral when it introduced fully automated self-driving food trucks. These food trucks are completely unmanned meaning that there are no humans involved when it comes to serving your food. A pretty neat feature since contactless handling of your food ensures that it’s safe and clean. It’s basically a futuristic vending machine with wheels. KFC was the first to roll it out but experts believe that we’ll see more of these self-driving food trucks in the next few years. Also if KFC isn’t your thing, don’t worry. The company behind these automated vehicles, Neolix, announced they’re collaborating with Pizza Hut and more fast food chains in the future. It’s amazing to see how far technology has come.
8. AI Powered Customization
There’s just something about customized meals that make you enjoy them a bit more. Maybe it’s because you felt like you had a hand in preparing your food. But what if you could customize your meal and get recommendations made specifically for you? That’s where AI comes in. AI or Artificial Intelligence is a groundbreaking technology that makes our lives a little easier. Fast food chains like Subway already let customers personalize their food. But imagine what you could do if you had AI to help you out.
7. Retro Design and Marketing
Nostalgia is a powerful thing. It takes you back to the good ol’ days when adulting was the least of your worries. Which is why fast food companies and restaurant chains are incorporating it into their dining experience. McDonald’s, in particular, is known for bringing back menu items, designs, and even merchandise from our childhood days. Who could forget when they brought back the fan favorite Grimace Shake in 2022? Or when they came out with adult Happy Meals in 2023? Needless to say, other brands are taking notice and we’ll definitely see more nostalgia-tinged menu items in the coming months.
6. Subscription-based Meal Kits
Meal kits have been around for a while and companies like HelloFresh and Blue Apron have proven that this business model actually works. Certain fast food chains already have an existing subscription pass, like Taco Bell or Subway, and it wouldn’t be much of a stretch for them to start adding meal kits to their service. Meal kits are a convenient way of mixing and matching your own meal without having to order every time you need to eat. So imagine a subscription based meal kit from say, McDonald’s where you can customize your own burger or choose your own fix-ins for your McFlurry. That’s something we would love to see.
5. Unexpected Flavor Pairings
Customers are always trying to add a bit of novelty to their meals so they’re always on the lookout for the next surprising flavor combinations. In recent years, we’ve seen trends like french fries on ice cream and honey on pizza. 2024 is going to be no different. With access to more and more flavors all over the globe, you can expect to see more of these unexpected flavor pairings all over social media.
4. Bug Burgers
Remember when eating bugs were considered an insult? Well now, insect-based food are actually cool. Considered a great alternative source of protein, insects have found their way into flour and fitness bars. Now, companies are now making burger patties made of insects. Mealworm Burgers are getting increasingly popular so don’t be shocked if popular burger joints like Burger King or Shake Shack started offering bug burgers on their menu.
3. More Celebrity Collaborations
Celebrity collaborations with fast food companies are pretty popular right now. Rappers like Travis Scott and Saweetie both had signature, limited-time meals with McDonald’s Even K-Pop groups like BTS and New Jeans collaborated with the fast food juggernaut. These all proved to be highly successful and gave birth to really good menu items that are actually worth trying. While there hasn’t been any big name celebrity fast food collaboration in the year so far, it’s only a matter of time.
2. Fast Food Fine Dining
You don’t normally associate “Fine Dining” with fast food. After all, how can fast food even be fancy right? But things are about to change with some fast food brands introducing high end ingredients to their list of premium items. A good example is McDonald’s Wagyu burger. Fast food chains are always trying to elevate our experience and this just might be a trend that we need to look out for.
1. “Healthy” Fast Food
Can fast food actually be healthy? As it turns out, it can! Fast food chains are trending towards reinventing classic fast food staples and making them healthier by switching up their ingredients or changing their cooking methods. While menu items like plant-based burgers or veggie pizzas have existed before, companies like Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and even Wendy’s are looking to expand their offerings and provide customers with healthier alternatives to typical fast food.
