Most Innovative Food Service Launches of 2021

Review of 2021’s Standout Food Service Innovations

New challenges require creative responses, and the food service industry rose to the occasion. 2021’s top food service innovations range from new start-ups to expanded technologies to exciting menu items.

Best Start-Ups

1. PLNT Burger

PLNT Burger is a plant-based fast casual restaurant that’s been growing fast during the pandemic. Besides serving chef-crafted plant-based cuisine, its clever model includes setting up restaurants inside Whole Foods stores.

2. Brooklyn Dumpling Shop

New start-up Brooklyn Dumpling Shop is giving its customers round-the-clock access to over thirty different types of dumplings through a convenient automat system. Customers use their phones to unlock the refrigerated locker of their choice.

3. Biscuit Belly

Louisville, Kentucky’s Biscuit Belly is successfully meeting peoples’ needs for comfort food and a welcoming place to socialize with its “service so good you’ll feel like family.” Centered on Southern food and hospitality, this startup offers hearty biscuit sandwiches, biscuits and gravy, fried green tomatoes, and more.

4. Baobab Fare

Baobab Fare, run by a husband-and-wife team from Burundi, is bringing East African cuisine to Detroit. Ordering menu items such as mbuzi, nyumbani, and okra stew lets customers explore exotic cuisine at a time of restricted travel, while also supporting the refugees and asylum-seekers employed there.

Best Technology

1. White Castle – Flippy the Robot

This year White Castle trialed an AI-powered robot named Flippy, which can fry up a variety of foods in the kitchen. It’s been a great success, allowing productivity to stay high despite fewer staff, a necessity to meet employee distancing requirements.

2. OneDine – Sensor Technology

Restaurants without a drive-through have been able to tap into OneDine’s sensor technology to allow customers to grab their food and pay without leaving their car. OneDine continues to expand its technology services with text-to-pay, scan-to-pay, and online ordering to meet the needs of the day.

3. Chipotle – Digital Only Restaurant

Besides its hugely popular Chipotlanes, Chipotle’s investments in technology include its first digital-only restaurant. Smaller than a traditional Chipotle, the Digital Kitchen has no indoor dining area and only accepts online orders.

4. Rockwell Group – Outdoor Dining Module

New York City architectural firm Rockwell Group stepped up to support area restaurants with its innovative modular kit that allows restaurants to quickly set up outdoor seating. The company helped transform sidewalks and even streets into outdoor dining hubs to help restaurants serve their customers during indoor capacity restrictions.

Best New Menu Items

1. McDonald’s - Glazed Pull-Apart Donuts

McDonald’s gave consumers permission to play with their food when it launched its new glazed pull-apart donuts. Rich and sweet, this treat consists of seven donut holes stuck together in a flower formation—satisfying the desire for indulgence, as well as an interactive food experience.

2. Dunkin’ - Avocado Toast

For those craving a healthier start to the day, the new avocado toast by Dunkin’ makes it easy. Dunkin’s’ version of the Instagram sensation includes a creamy avocado spread on toasted sourdough bread sprinkled with everything bagel seasoning.

3. Sonic - Bursting Bubbles Slush

Though known for its American-style menu, which includes burgers, milkshakes, and chili dogs, Sonic crossed borders with its new Bursting Bubbles Slush. This slushy version of Taiwanese bubble tea comes in blue raspberry and cherry, each with green Bursting Bubbles.

4. Little Caesars - Planteroni Pizza

Little Caesars has expanded into plant-based meats with its new Planteroni Pizza. This pizza is topped with a plant-based pepperoni made by Field Roast, with flavors that include fennel, black pepper, garlic, and paprika.

Looking Ahead

Expect the trends in plant-based, comfort foods, global cuisine, and convenience through technology to stay strong in the upcoming year. To tap into the plant-based trend, our food-service-ready, plant-based meat alternative Simpleat^TM makes it easy to get started. Contact Glanbia Nutritionals to learn more.