Welcome to High Sabatino's Foodservice Equipment Blog

The pizza industry cooled off after the massive growth experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic, but according to an industry-leading survey, the potential for further expansion is likely.

Here at High Sabatino, we love great food. We're blessed to be part of a MAFSI region that boasts some of the country's hottest food scenes, from Richmond to Washington, D.C., and up the Maryland coastline. Because we're around so much good food, our mission is to help promote the production of that food, and it all starts with the trends. Here are the five hottest Mid-Atlantic food trends we expect to see in 2024.

The foodservice and restaurant industry stands as a linchpin in the economic landscapes of Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., shaping not only the culinary scene but also contributing significantly to economic vitality and job creation. We also gain a lot of enjoyment from restaurants, of course.

At High Sabatino, we are thrilled to be on the cusp of celebrating our 65th anniversary this fall. As we prepare to mark this incredible milestone, we want to share some lesser-known aspects of our company. Our journey has been filled with growth, innovation, great customer service, and a deep commitment to culinary excellence, and we plan to continue those company traditions well into the future.

The beer and cocktails are certainly important to the success of a bar or brew pub, but it's not the only way to attract customers. The food is also essential, and recent trends have shown a movement toward higher-end food items in bars. In fact, a new type of restaurant has emerged called a gastropub.

More and more diners are looking to takeout and delivery services when it comes to dining preferences. In many cases, patrons come into a restaurant that has racks or shelves beside the cash register to store the pre-ordered meals that customers have phoned in or ordered from a mobile app. People are becoming used to picking up food from their favorite establishments or having it delivered directly to the comfort of their own homes.

How you display your food products is essential. Much like the frame on a fine painting, the way you show your items can bring people in and even help increase the perceived value and price point. It can increase the likelihood of impulse purchases. And, ultimately, the right foodservice display case can help turn food into fortune.

Ventilation is one of the most critical aspects of any commercial foodservice business. It impacts utility costs. It leads to how much an operation spends on makeup air. There are governmental regulations involved. And ventilation even has an impact on staff safety and satisfaction.

If you're John Belushi in the movie Animal House, you're likely piling plate after plate onto your cafeteria tray, only to throw out half of it away when you drop your tray on the conveyor belt after you're done. The reality is tray service can be quite costly for many reasons, and moving away from it will require more than just ditching the trays. But before we get into how to adapt tray-less cafeteria service, it's first important to understand why it can be beneficial from both financial and logistical standpoints.

We're living in a different landscape than we were 18 months ago, and while everyone is quick to "return to normal," the likelihood things will be as they were just isn't reality. There's going to be a new normal, and in many ways, there should be.