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Pandemic trends drive changes in foodservice equipment needs

As the “mass feeding” model recedes due to cultural and COVID-related forces, the types of equipment operators look to are seeing a shift.

Mike Buzalka, Executive Features Editor

February 23, 2022

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The COVID era changed many things in the onsite dining universe, some temporarily and some pretty much for good. Among its impacts has been the acceleration of pre-existing trends toward decentralization, remote ordering, delivery, automated points of service, take-away and customization. Most of these require some form of rethink in terms of equipment needs, space allocation and production strategy.

In effect, the pandemic simply moved up the timetable for the waning of onsite dining’s mass feeding era as even traditional bulk feeding environments like K-12 school cafeterias move toward a more disseminated approach to meal service. Meanwhile, in the business and industry and higher education markets, trepidation about the dangers of too many bodies in one space combined with customer preferences for convenience and expanded access have reduced the role of the traditional “lunch rush” (and dinner rush in colleges) as central to the dining program, perhaps permanently.

All this has impacted demand patterns for equipment and infrastructure. Here are some developments driving the trend…

About the Author

Mike Buzalka

Executive Features Editor, Food Management

Mike Buzalka is executive features editor for Food Management and contributing editor to Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News. On Food Management, Mike has lead responsibility for compiling the annual Top 50 Contract Management Companies as well as the K-12, College, Hospital and Senior Dining Power Players listings. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English Literature from John Carroll University. Before joining Food Management in 1998, he served as for eight years as assistant editor and then editor of Foodservice Distributor magazine. Mike’s personal interests range from local sports such as the Cleveland Indians and Browns to classic and modern literature, history and politics.

Mike Buzalka’s areas of expertise include operations, innovation and technology topics in onsite foodservice industry markets like K-12 Schools, Higher Education, Healthcare and Business & Industry.

Mike Buzalka’s experience:

Executive Features Editor, Food Management magazine (2010-present)

Contributing Editor, Restaurant Hospitality, Supermarket News and Nation’s Restaurant News (2016-present)

Associate Editor, Food Management magazine (1998-2010)

Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1997-1998)

Assistant Editor, Foodservice Distributor magazine (1989-1997)

 

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