The term food & beverage refers to the commercial activities conducted with the consumption of food and drink. Food & Beverage includes both dietary and non-dietary substances that are consumed internally or externally. Food is consumed for the purpose of nourishment, while drink is consumed for its intended purpose.
A meal is a fluid prepared for consumption intended for human consumption by people of all ages. Other than their basic role of meeting thirst, food & beverage also play important roles within human society. Common forms of food & beverage available commercially include juice, milk, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. More recently, non-nutritious and calorie-dense foods such as ready-to-drink drinks, energy drinks and sports drinks have also entered the market. Typically, food & beverage served in hotels fall into one of four categories: food for immediate consumption, food as a drink, guests room food, and guest services food.
Hotels and other forms of hospitality service provide food and beverage to their guests. Generally, the hotel serves continental, American, continental and international cuisines. Continental food & beverage is similar to dishes served at home, except for the variations in ingredients. American food & beverage includes hamburgers, hot dogs, barbecue, spaghetti and other dishes popular in America. Continental food & beverage usually incorporates more locally produced ingredients than many other forms of food and beverage, and American guests often prefer this variety.
The food & beverage industry has developed various marketing strategies to attract customers. These include offering promotional items, like glassware, bottled water, umbrellas, tote bags, and gift certificates, which many consumers find easy to purchase and use. An example of a promotional product that most companies offer is the imprinted glassware; many businesses use these types of gifts to draw customers into their stores.
Another strategy food & beverage businesses use to draw guests into their stores is to offer sampler dinners or luncheons at local restaurants. In many instances, guests will try one of the samplers before they decide whether or not to purchase a full meal. At this time, a hotel or other hospitality service can offer them bottled water or other non-alcoholic beverages. In some cases, guests may decide to join a fitness center or health club in order to obtain discounts on hotel stays or meal deals.
Technological development in the food & beverage industry has allowed many changes to take place at a faster pace. One of the latest trends impacting the industry is the introduction of ecommerce into the industry. In the last two years, technological advancements in the electronic age have allowed ecommerce to transform the food & beverage industry by improving accessibility to customers and creating new ways for businesses to promote themselves to new markets.
The introduction of online shopping carts, secure payment gateways and smart chip labeling have made it easier for consumers to make buying decisions without traveling to brick-and-mortar stores. As more people shop online, the need for food & beverage safety regulation has increased as well. While many state legislatures are working to pass bills requiring product labels with certain ingredients, several different bills are being introduced every year that would allow local municipalities to enact ordinances that mirror the federal Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) that was released in 2021. Although there are already some ordinances in place that address many of the same issues, many are still up for renewal in the future.
One way the food & beverage industry is adapting to changes in technology is through innovation. Many of the new products and services being introduced are being designed to work with the changing structure of websites, giving customers more ways to interact with a business. This includes providing information about prices and availability, as well as special discounts or deals that consumers may be able to find when shopping at a website. For example, some companies are introducing mobile apps that provide consumers with quick and easy access to product descriptions, nutritional information and comparisons. Another service that is gaining popularity is restaurant meal planning and delivery. There are now even some restaurants that offer organic meal options that consumers can order off of.