The recently released 2024 Uber Eats Cravings Report highlights the evolving tastes of diners, from late-night cravings to customization trends. Insights like these are a goldmine for foodservice establishments looking to keep menus fresh and operations efficient. By finding ways to incorporate popular preferences, you can meet customer demands while improving sales—and kitchen performance. Let’s take a closer look at some of the Uber Eats insights…

Demand for Customization

Customization remains key to diner satisfaction. From “extra sauce” to “no onions,” customers want their meals tailored to their preferences, and they want them fast.

Lean into this trend by crafting build-your-own menu options, such as custom flatbreads or veggie bowls, allowing customers to personalize flavors and ingredients. For efficient execution, menus that highlight oven-friendly items are a smart move. With a versatile oven, you can quickly prepare dishes like roasted proteins, grilled vegetables, customizable pasta bowls, and toasted wraps, all while maintaining high quality.

Encourage guests to experiment by offering a mix-and-match selection of extras, like spice blends, cheeses, or specialty sauces (more on these later). Pair this with clear menu labeling—in-house and in-app—to simplify ordering and streamline kitchen operations.

Late-Night Comfort Cravings

Late-night munchies still hit hard (especially in college towns), and comfort foods such as fries, burgers, and chicken wings and nuggets rank among the most popular orders. This trend highlights the need for adaptable kitchen operations—from equipment and layout to staffing—that can efficiently handle peak late-night demand with speed and consistency.

Leverage a focused late-night menu featuring both familiar favorites and creative options to satisfy hungry customers’ cravings while streamlining operations. Fries and sliders are classics but consider adding new twists with easy add-ons and variations, like loaded fries with seasonal toppings or sliders infused with international flavors, such as Mediterranean lamb with tzatziki sauce, to cater to both traditional and adventurous nighttime diners looking for their food fix.

Spice Up Your Condiments

Customers are turning up the heat on their meals, with hot sauce leading the pack as the top condiment in the Uber Eats Cravings Report, followed closely by sweet and sour, ranch, and BBQ. This presents an opportunity to elevate your menu offerings by incorporating heat and flavor that appeal to customers’ increasing demand for spicy, tangy, and bold tastes.

Stand out with signature condiments like smoky chipotle ranch or tangy Sriracha aioli and explore global flavors such as Jamaican jerk sauce or Korean gochujang. Bold options like these can deliver a flavorful kick to your menu items, tempting customers who seek new and exciting tastes while keeping traditionalists happy as well.

Margarita Magic

If you associate margaritas exclusively with Mexican cuisine, you’re missing out! This year’s delivery requests show they’re a versatile pairing for just about any dish. Whether served frozen, on the rocks, or with a flavored twist, diners are reaching for margaritas with meals ranging from sushi to pizza.

Consider offering a selection of margaritas that match the flavor profiles of your most popular menu items. A citrus-forward margarita pairs well with grilled seafood, while a berry-flavored option enhances roasted vegetables or balances the sweetness of glazes. Mezcal margaritas bring out the richness of smoked meats and amplify the tanginess of vinegar-based sauces.

Whether you focus on margaritas or other beverages, you can make your drink menu a key part of the dining experience by encouraging guests to experiment with creative and complementary pairings.

Ovention in the Craveable Kitchen

Incorporating today’s food trends into your menu is easier with the right kitchen equipment. Ovention ovens provide unmatched flexibility, precision, and speed, enabling you to execute a diverse range of menu items easily and confidently.

• Customization: Programmable ovens allow you to seamlessly switch between recipes, guaranteeing consistency across custom orders. Whether it’s extra-crispy fries or a flatbread with personalized toppings, Ovention ensures every dish meets expectations.
• Late-Night Service: Shuttle oven models are designed for high-volume and minimal oversight. With icon-driven touchscreen controls and automated custom settings, they’re ideal for meeting the demands of late-night patrons and keeping the orders flowing, even with scaled-back staffing.
• Condiment Creations: Elevate your condiment game with the precise control of Ovention ovens, like the Matchbox, to roast hot peppers for signature sauces or caramelize onions to perfection for BBQ dips. The possibilities for bold, house-made flavors are endless, and the results can spice up your menu in the most satisfying way.
• Perfect Pairings: Build buzz with dishes that complement popular beverages—like margaritas or even whiskey sours made with unique syrups and herbs. With Ovention, you can prepare diverse options, from pizza and tacos to smoky barbecue and delicate fish dishes. Collaborate with your resident mixologist to pair your dishes with drinks that enhance the flavors—and the dining experience.

By investing in innovative Ovention equipment, you can keep on top of evolving tastes while streamlining your operation for maximum efficiency and customer satisfaction. Find your perfect Ovention oven by taking our One-Minute Oven Quiz.

Embracing Food Trends

From comfort classics to bold and adventurous flavors, there are countless ways to refresh or enhance your menu to capitalize on the latest food trends and boost customer interest and loyalty. With versatile equipment like Ovention ovens, you can meet the demand for both innovation and quality while increasing kitchen speed and efficiency. Stay sharp, keep evolving, and serve up the unforgettable flavors your customers are craving!