Exploratory study of the historical development and trend analysis of restaurant cuisine

Abstract

Scope and Method of Study: The purpose of this study was to investigate historical development and future trends of restaurant cuisine using Italian Cuisine in America as an example. The study did not intend to measure or predict statistically the effect of historical and future trend factors on future development of Italian cuisine in America. The main purpose was to identify the factors that have contributed to the historical development and popularity of Italian cuisine in America and to identify the factors that could determine what future trends may develop. The specific purpose of this study was to identify: the factors that have influenced menu trends in Italian American Cuisine, the factors that will influence menu trends in Italian American Cuisine in the future, what type of restaurants, other than ethnic Italian, feature Italian cuisine, to determine if the results can be applied to future research and development of a trend forecasting model to determine the what the future development of restaurant cuisine in America may be.

Findings and Conclusions: Forecasting future trends in restaurant cuisine is of vital importance to professionals responsible for multiple tasks such as investment, creating new markets, increasing company market shares, and bringing innovation and investing into new ventures, thus responding to consumer demands in a global environment. The results of this qualitative and exploratory study will contribute to the development of a potential forecasting model which would allow comparing forecasted trends with actual development and eventually, time series studies would support its operationalization. The data collected will help determine what cuisine consumers may appreciate in the future and what possible influence it may have on a wide range of related industries; e.g.: agricultural, manufacturing, distributing, banking - lending industries, including the educational sector. The most valuable data of all pertained to the historical trends of Italian cuisine and development of Italian restaurants. This study should be replicated researching all cuisines to determine which ethnic cuisines have similarities with Italian cuisine and then develop a model which can be operationalized and predict future developments of cuisines in America.