Three Trends That Will Keep Restaurateurs on Their Toes in 2020

Expect a collision of trends to mark the restaurant industry in 2020 as ambitious operators in today’s increasingly marijuana friendly environment test both legal limits and consumer appetites by looking to launch cannabis cafes that serve farm-to-table ... everything. That’s on one front, at least, as restaurateurs across the country scramble to get a piece of the action as the fledgling cannabis tourism industry starts to take off. But the influence of legal marijuana is being felt on more than just menus. It’s going to be another pressure point for an industry facing ongoing challenges on the staffing front, forcing restaurateurs to re-examine their drug policies, benefits packages and incentives in order to stand out sufficiently to attract needed workers.

As the first year of a new decade unfolds, so do the opportunities and exposures that restaurant owners need to consider in positioning themselves for optimal success. Here are three of the most important developments…