Projected to be a more than a $155 billion market by 2023, the global seafood industry continues to be one of the fastest growing segments in foodservice.
From changing lifestyle and consumer preferences to wider availability of seafood, there are a number of factors and trends contributing to the impressive strength of the industry. Many of the current and future industry trends also signal strong demand for concepts like Angry Crab Shack, specializing in diverse seafood dishes with unique flavors.
Here are some of the top seafood industry trends in 2020 that will continue to drive growth for our restaurant franchise brand, as well as for the broader seafood industry:
1. Changing Consumer Preferences and Healthy Eating Habits
Consumers have increasingly prioritized healthier, more transparent food options in recent years, particularly millennials and Generation Z consumers. Whereas fast food and low-nutrient food concepts are struggling to keep up with changing lifestyle and consumer preferences, seafood boil restaurants are seeing a surge in demand. This is especially true as the health benefits of seafood become more widely publicized and understood.
Seafood is a nutrient-rich food that’s also a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals, and the health benefits associated with seafood continue to garner more attention in the media and scientific community. More studies have been dedicated to exploring the relationship between the unique type of fat found in seafood, particularly omega-3 fatty acids, and its disease-fighting properties. In an effort to benefit from these long-lasting health benefits, consumers have been trying to incorporate more seafood into their diets.
2. Keto-Friendly Options and Extensive Availability of Different Seafood
In addition to focusing on longer-term health goals, younger consumers also continue to adopt more restrictive diets and lifestyles. For example, the ketogenic diet has taken the industry by storm and transformed many peoples’ eating habits. The keto diet primarily involves replacing carbohydrates with fat and protein sources in order to minimize carbohydrate intake.
Because so many foods are limited or eliminated within the keto regimen, many restaurants have adapted their menus to become more keto-friendly. However, seafood is one of the few food groups that fits perfectly into the keto diet. As a result, seafood concepts continue to attract a growing number of carb-cutting consumers. Seafood is incredibly varied, giving keto followers dozens of options to choose from and preventing dietary boredom or fatigue. From shrimp, crab and oysters to salmon and crawfish, there are endless seafood options and recipes that are naturally keto-friendly.
Just as seafood is one of the most versatile and widely-available food options within the keto diet, it is also one of the most diverse and accessible options on the market. The extensive availability of different species of fish and shellfish has boosted the growth of the global seafood market immensely. The wide market availability of various seafood and other keto-friendly options will continue to drive demand for restaurants in the coming years.
3. Global Flavors and Fusion Food Concepts
Another trend largely driven by younger consumers has been the desire for more global flavors and fusion dishes. Some restaurant owners believe the time of “pure cuisine” is over, and chefs will continue to mix and match ethnic dishes and create new tastes.
Blending authentic flavors from Asia and southern America into one appetizing meal, the Asian-Cajun fusion culinary trend has been especially impactful on the seafood industry. Millennials are more willing to try new flavors and seek out foods for an ethnically-diverse diet, positioning fusion concepts like Angry Crab Shack for continued growth. By merging different flavors and cultures in a single dish, creative chefs are able to appeal to increasingly adventurous consumers, add interest to menu items and introduce guests to fresh takes on seafood classics.
As consumers look to add healthier, keto-friendly and diverse foods to their diet, the seafood industry – and Angry Crab Shack – will continue to grow in 2020 and beyond.