Everything from entertainment to ethnic flavors has sparked restaurant design trends over the years. Restaurant design trends are shifting to consider not only the visual presentation, but also the emotional reactions to the visual presentation � and one theme does not fit all.
While some design elements enjoy a broad-based appeal by mirroring the
dominant mood of the period, 21st Century restaurant design trends
typically vary greatly depending on the target market. Baby Boomers,
GenXers, Millennials and Tweens all carry emotional needs that are as
different as their food preferences. Restaurant design trends, then,
are influenced by the desires � and the buying power to back those
desires � of these generational diners. Savvy restauranteurs understand
the signs of the times and employ restaurant design trends accordingly.
Make no mistake: Each generation�s preferences are spurring unique
restaurant design trends of their own. Baby Boomers, for example, are
looking for quiet, soothing dining environments while Tweens demand
interaction and innovation. Staying abreast of restaurant design trends
means staying abreast of retail trends, consumer behavior and the
market competition.
Nostalgia themes are a strong example of how the times impact
restaurant design trends. Sonic Corp., known as �America�s Drive-in,�
taps into a nostalgia theme that offers sweet dining memories to Baby
Boomers while simultaneously intriguing younger generations with a
modern twist on a restaurant design trend from days gone by.
Sonic initially launched its �Happy Days� concept in the 1950s. But the
largest chain of fast-food drive-in restaurants in the country, with
its 3,000 locations, still understood the importance of staying up to
date with newfangled restaurant design trends as it sought to claim new
territories.
Acknowledging that some restaurant design trends include a heavy dose
of nostalgia, Sonic put a fresh spin on its exteriors. While Sonic
didn�t change its time-tested drive-in concept, it did incorporate
neon, tensile, metal cladding and other bright, colorful elements into
its exterior presentation. The fresh spin reinforces the timeless look
and feel diners associate with the brand while decreasing its
production costs and emphasizing its unique selling point: drive-up
dining.
Some restaurant design trends are classic, as Sonic exemplifies with
its successful 50-plus-year-old running theme. But most restaurant
design trends are like clothing � they come in cycles (albeit longer
cycles than radical fashion movements). A strategic approach to
restaurant design trends is a vital part an overall restaurant
marketing program that weaves through every aspect of your design, from
restaurant interior design consulting to logos to web development.
Implementing restaurant design trends should be considered in the light
of your target market, your unique selling points and your budget.
Experienced restaurant designers can help you understand what
restaurant design trend bandwagons to hop on, and which ones to steer
clear of based on your restaurant business plan.
Want to see samples of our restaurant design work?
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