Future - restaurant - trends in Asia with a touch of Australia…
In recent years, an increasing number of people have altered their diet for health and ethical reasons. As we have become more aware of the food we eat and the effects the different products and produce have on our long-term health, we have started to adjust our eating habits accordingly.
New food ideas are coming on the market almost daily offering healthy meals that are made with only from the freshest and best quality produce and recipes that have been specially created and selected for their low fat and high nutritional content.
The words “wholesome”, “healthy meals for the entire family” come to mind, advertisers still looking for the illusive term that will get finally across the message that we need to change our eating habits and lifestyle, for our own sake and our children’s and their children.
Australia has established itself as a most likely frontrunner in new and healthy eating trends and we should make use of that reputation and trend.
Going back to the ‘90s, South East Asia went through a boom time in new restaurant concepts, mostly American franchise operations that established themselves during a period of great expansion in the hospitality industry. Fast Food restaurants, American style full service restaurants were opening just about in every major city. Many never made it past the opening stage, showing the need for professionalism and the shortage of skilled labor and the management expertise. Increasing rentals and payroll costs further helped to make ‘casual but flash’ restaurants unprofitable and gradually only a few strong players remained and dominate today’s restaurants scene.
However, this clearing of the restaurant scene has opened the market for new and exciting concepts that are now firmly riding on the ‘health and healthy lifestyle’ bandwagon.
Fast food has evolved into healthy, convenient take away style eateries and availability of fresh produce are now the major factors. We see the appearance of small ‘Eat In/Take away’ concepts evolving that are looking an absolute winner and Australia is certainly leading the way.
While not all is (yet) healthy and recommendable, it certainly is a first step in a direction of offering reasonable priced health oriented food.
Australians are considered absolute front-runners in that aspect and we find ourselves with amazing creative talent, with that particular entrepreneurial spirit that creates this exciting new concepts. Australia has enormous potential to enter the franchising market with so many existing and exciting food concepts.
While years ago franchising was largely an American concept, Australia did finally catch up and has now the opportunity to leave its mark, export its creativity to Asia and with it Australian produce, know-how and potential for investment.
Looking at Australia’s influence in South East Asia, China and India we are able to capture a market that is literally waiting for us to be developed.
How do we go about it is the next question that many will ask and a combined effort of creativity, financial support and professional know-how are essential leading into a solid partnership between those three parties.We are looking at a situation where the creative mind is supported by a strong financial source and guided by the professional to develop the concept and systems needed to be able to franchise locally and most importantly overseas.Australia’s economic future is in the region and the hospitality industry can finally make its mark taking on the existing American stronghold and creating opportunities for Australians to work overseas and introducing our healthy way of life.
Franchising is the future for small businesses in Australia with the support of large financial institutions becoming the financial supporters and opening up a new sector of the economy that has been neglected in the past.
Looking closely at the United States in terms of franchise development strategies, we need to evaluate the opportunities back home and create the understanding of the potential for development and returns in the franchising industry.
There is an abundance of good, solid concepts throughout West Australia that need to be nurtured and taken to the next level. Supporting the young entrepreneurial spirit, providing them with the opportunity to expand overseas and show the world that we are a countable force not only in the supply chain of fresh produce but also in service sector.
Let us export our creativeness in the hospitality industry with that certain touch of Australia, bring this industry to the next level and give it the respect it so deserve.
This might also help in improving the overall image of the service industry and the chronic shortage within the workforce.
About the author:
Karl Faux is head of the consulting division at HospitalityBiz, a Perth based Management Consulting and Executive Recruitment firm. He previously lived in Singapore for 14 years where he co-founded in 1987 the first Asian based hospitality-consulting firm. Now in its twentieth year, the company has become a leader in the hospitality industry. He specializes in franchise development and has considerable in-depth knowledge working in both small and large companies, at both board and senior management level.
