Americans in Oklahoma City and across the country want choices when it comes to their food, and many are foregoing traditional fast-food restaurants as a result. They want nutritious meals and the industry is taking notice. In fact, many healthy fast-food chains are now popping up and their prices are better than those seen with conventional grab-and-go businesses. 

However, this does not mean the fast-food giants of the past are giving up. They are adding new items to their menu to meet the needs of their customers. Many of these offerings are healthier, allowing each family member to find a meal they love and wish to eat. 

To accommodate the growing shift in consumer preferences, the new healthy food chains are appearing across the nation. They make use of fresh produce and low-calorie ingredients, as this is what many consumers are looking for. The goal of many of these restaurants is to make them as affordable as traditional drive-thru restaurants. 

Currently, fast food makes up more than 50% of the restaurant industry. Families need quick and easy meals. Now they can have these meals and still eat healthy thanks to the growth in restaurant options.

Why This Shift? 

83% of Americans feel fast food is not very nutritious. At least, not as much as they would like. Furthermore, more than 75% of individuals responding to a Deloitte survey stated they eat healthy but find it difficult to do so at traditional fast-food restaurants. There simply are not enough healthy options for consumers to choose from. 

As people become more educated about their food choices, they will likely continue to seek out ways to improve their diet. However, busy lifestyles often mean food must be purchased on the go. Healthy franchises ensure people have this option when they must pick something up for dinner as they run from activity to activity. 

In addition, more people choose to buy local today. In 2014, Technomic conducted a survey that found 73% of consumers between the ages of 22 and 37 prefer to buy local food when possible. Knowing this, why are more restaurants not offering healthy foods for those who want them?

Affordability

While restaurants may wish to provide healthy food options, doing so is often unaffordable. Locally sourced foods, especially organic versions, tend to be very costly. While dishes made with these ingredients do tend to have fewer calories, they often cost twice as much to make. These costs are then passed on to the consumer. 

In addition, men and women across the country are advocating for higher wages for fast-food workers and others who make minimum wage. As these laws are put into place, companies must find ways to make up for the profits lost as a result of the wage increases. This could lead to higher prices in these restaurants. 

One way companies in Oklahoma City and states across the nation are getting around this is to incorporate more technology into their restaurants. Online ordering is a way they are doing so with kiosks in restaurants for ordering being another. Technology will play a major role in the fast-food industry in the future as owners try to accommodate the demands of workers while keeping costs down. 

Healthy fast-food franchises allow companies to purchase certain items in bulk. This helps to keep prices low while ensuring consumers have access to nutritious food while on the go. The more people who buy their food, the more items they can obtain in bulk to get a better deal. They can then pass the savings on to consumers. This is among the ways healthy fast food chains are succeeding. Other uses for technology will likely be discovered in the fast-food industry in the future, and it will be interesting to see how far this sector will go when they are. 

Options

There are now many restaurants that are offering these types of food. In fact, they are cropping up all over the country. Nationwide, these types of establishments are increasing in popularity. 

Fast-casual franchises across the country are becoming ever more popular as people like to enjoy a great meal that is healthy without having to wait in a sit-down restaurant. This option is definitely appreciated. 

Keeping It Small

Other ways companies may reduce operation costs include keeping restaurants small. For instance, many healthy fast food restaurants are very small and lack indoor seating. This helps to keep energy costs down, and it even allows the company to buy from local and regional farms to eliminate the middleman. 

While conventional fast food restaurants look to obtain profit margins of 20% or higher, this is not the case with some new chains. Profits go right back into the company, as owners are not looking for short term profit. They see how big companies like Amazon have succeeded by using this business model and are doing the same. 

The Response

Conventional fast food companies have taken notice of the shift in consumer preferences. Campbell Soup Company and PepsiCo executives have stated they believe the move to cleaner food is not just a trend, but a completely new lifestyle that much of the population is adapting to. Over the past few years, fast-food chains have started shifting to healthier food options to keep up. 

A Growing Market

Eating out has become a way of life for many families. Trying to keep up with work, home, school, and extracurricular activities leaves little time for meal planning and preparation. As a result, the fast-food industry continues to grow. However, the nutritious fast-casual niche remains only a small percentage of this market. 

By 2022, Zion Market Research predicts the valuation for the fast-food industry will reach $690.80 billion. When more people invest in a healthy fast food franchise, everyone benefits. Not only does the agriculture industry receive a boost, but consumers also become more aware of their food choices and how they affect overall health. This is good for the country as a whole. 

Many new companies continue to flood the market. For example, a Pita Pit franchise is a good option for someone looking to enter the industry and offer nutritious food choices. There are times when a person simply cannot consume a salad and needs other choices. 

Pita Pit offers a range of foods that can be eaten with the hands rather than a fork. The customer can choose an artisan pita, a classic pita, or build his or her own. They can complete the meal with chips, a cookie, a smoothie, or other beverages. 

When ordering, a person can see exactly how many calories they will be consuming. In addition, information is provided on the fat, cholesterol, and sodium in the meal along with other pertinent information. As a result, the diner can adjust the meal based on his or her personal preferences. 

A QSR franchise is a great option for individuals looking to enter an industry while having support when doing so. By choosing to establish a franchise, an entrepreneur finds he or she may be able to avoid common mistakes and even have brand recognition from day one. If you are looking to establish your own business, now is the time to do so. 

The healthy fast food industry is poised to take off. As more people discover they have more options when picking up a quick meal, they may choose these restaurants whenever possible. By getting in on the ground floor, a person may be able to achieve great success. Learn more about these opportunities today.