Restaurant brands facilitate virtual dining experiences amidst the COVID-19 crisis
Trend - Restaurants and brands are bringing customers to them via virtual dining options in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that's shut down in-person dining operations around the world. These virtual meetups bring people together and give customers a sense of community.
Insight - As consumers remain productive and partake in recreational activities at home under shelter-in-place orders, they're still longing for their pre-COVID lives. Everything from socializing with friends to dining out are aspects of consumers' routines that they never thought they'd have to give up for long periods of time. Thus, finding safe at-home alternatives to such activities is of utmost importance to people searching for a sense of normalcy.
Insight - As consumers remain productive and partake in recreational activities at home under shelter-in-place orders, they're still longing for their pre-COVID lives. Everything from socializing with friends to dining out are aspects of consumers' routines that they never thought they'd have to give up for long periods of time. Thus, finding safe at-home alternatives to such activities is of utmost importance to people searching for a sense of normalcy.
Workshop Question - How is your brand supporting its customers through times of crisis?
Trend Themes
1. Virtual Dining - As in-person dining shuts down around the world, restaurant brands and establishments are offering virtual dining experiences that bring people together and give customers a sense of community.
2. Recreated Restaurant Experiences - Restaurants are attempting to recreate the dine-in experience for consumers through delivery and virtual events that provide an engaging and personalized experience for customers while allowing businesses to sell food.
3. Conversational Community Apps - Apps like The Breakfast are offering solutions to loneliness by connecting people over meals via video chat, encouraging spontaneous interactions and conversations between strangers.
Industry Implications
1. Food Delivery Services - Delivery services can benefit from partnerships with restaurants to offer unique experiences like virtual dining and meal kit deliveries.
2. Virtual Event Platforms - Virtual event platforms can provide venues for restaurants and brands to host immersive and interactive virtual dining experiences that bring people together.
3. Community Building Apps - Apps that connect people with common interests and encourage conversations can adapt to the new normal of virtual and remote interactions by creating experiences like virtual dining gatherings and events.
