
Von Sonja Sobota; Rueya Ceylan, Research Analysts
Die Gastronomie ist eine der größten Branchen in den USA.
Statistiken des US-Arbeitsministeriums zufolge sind die mit der Lebensmittelzubereitung und -ausgabe verbundenen Branchen in städtischen und nichtstädtischen Gebieten insgesamt der drittgrößte Arbeitgeber nach Berufsgruppen.
Es wird vermutet, dass 2011 ein hervorragendes Jahr für die Gastronomiebranche werden könnte. Branchenanalysten zufolge werden die Umsätze voraussichtlich auf ein Vierjahreshoch steigen. Ein kürzlich veröffentlichter Bericht des Forschungsunternehmens Technomic sagt voraus, dass die gesamten US-Foodservice-Umsätze das Jahr 2010 um 1,71 TP3Tonnen auf nominaler Basis übertreffen werden und auf realer Basis, bei der die Inflation in die Menüpreise einfließt, nur um 0,31 TP3Tonnen sinken werden. Und wenn diese Prognose eintrifft, wäre dies eines der höchsten Wachstums seit 2008.
Spezialisten wie David Tarantino, Analyst bei der Finanzmanagementfirma Baird, bestätigen diesen Trend. In einem Artikel von Forbes über Associated Press gab er bekannt, dass er aufgrund der starken Umsätze der Restaurantketten im Jahr 2010 davon ausgehe, dass sich die Gastronomie in einer „Korrekturphase“ befinde. Unternehmen, die „auf Kunden mit höherem Einkommen ausgerichtet sind“, wie etwa Fast-Casual- und Chafing-Restaurantketten, „werden die größte Stabilisierung und das größte Wachstum erleben“.
Auch wenn der US-Arbeitsmarkt noch immer schleppend läuft, dürften in der Gastronomie und anderen Gastronomiebetrieben seit letztem Sommer über 100.000 neue Stellen geschaffen werden, was sie 2010 zu den größten Jobmotoren macht, berichtet USA Today.
Despite its good influence on the economy, the high food consumption also has a major drawback: Obesity. American obesity is rising in 28 states and adult obesity went up over 20 percent since 1991, reports the Trust for America’s Health (TFAH). This is the reason why food service industries have to participate in producing healthier and more organic-based food.
Food safety is also an issue. Even though America is one of the safest food suppliers in the world, the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rates almost 80 million cases of food-related illness per year. In response to this. the House of Congress passed a law for preventative control of food import and export in December 2010.
The food service industries also need to be more transparent for consumers because an increasing number of people get food allergies (such as lactose intolerance and nut allergies). The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 gives more protection to consumers. Members of the food service industry must now list all allergens and common names for ingredients in their ingredient labeling process. In addition, menus must show all ingredients and the caloric content. The goal for many providers is to supply a good-tasting meal with healthier ingredients.
Furthermore the food service industry has to struggle with increasing commodity prices. The United Nations is warning of another food price shock as corn and soybean prices are at their highest level in 2.5 years, and soybeans stockpiles at 30 year lows. It could surpass the 2008 scare that triggered food riots in develping countries around the globe. Economist David Rosenberg is warning: “We clearly have a global food crisis on our hands.”
Laut Wells Fargo werden die Fleischpreise, insbesondere für Schweine- und Rindfleisch, doppelt so stark steigen wie im vergangenen Jahr.
In the United States food prices account for, on average, 10 percent up to 14 percent of personal income (vs. about 50 percent in the developing world). Nevertheless, they have an impact on consumer confidence and job creation, and this time looks to be no different, especially combined with the tug of higher energy prices.
Nachhaltigkeit
Auch in der Gastronomie gibt es viele Möglichkeiten, die Nachhaltigkeit zu verbessern. Fairer Handel ist ein Beispiel dafür.
TransFair USA is a community that secures fair trade production, helping farmers produce the capital needed to buy the goods needed for their businesses. One of their biggest members is Starbucks, which only uses fair trade beans in its coffee. Transfair USA’s biggest job is empowering farmers to lift themselves out of poverty by investing in their farms and communities, protecting the environment, and developing the business skills necessary to compete in the global marketplace. Fair trade, by definition, also includes fair prices, fair labor conditions, and environmentally sustainable efforts.
By setting up green buildings, factories can produce energy-efficient products by reducing unnecessary energy or by using renewable energy. This associates a reduction of CO2 emissions. So far, the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC), a non profit organization, counts more than 18,000 members in leading enterprises and communities implementing this green technology.
Lebensmittelbestandsverwaltung
Food Inventory management means calculating, checking, and minimizing costs for food.
In restaurants, food costs are one of the highest controllable costs. Dealing with food is a challenge because of its perishability. As a fact, almost every ingredient has a limited shelf life, much of it less than a week. There are large quantities of people and instruments that directly handle food inventory. Regardless of size, even small restaurants need more than dozens of employees to produce, prepare, and finally serve the food to the consumer. To manage profitability, restaurants turn to food inventory management within the organization.
Lebensmittelbestandssysteme sind kompliziert zu kontrollieren und auf Filialebene schwer zu verwalten. Ältere Filialentechnologien haben in der Regel Probleme, da sie häufig aktuelle Desktop-Lösungen erfordern.
For restaurant chains, centralized browser-based food management modules are considered by some to be a robust alternative. Other advantages may include centralized ingredient and recipe management, managed inventory by an unlimited number of ingredients and count frequencies, computed real-time product variance, generative warning messages, established user audit trails, transferred product between locations, and record waste.