Fast Casual: Consumers spending $181 billion on beverages

Non-alcoholic drinks are a swiftly growing area of the restaurant industry. According to a recent article in Fast Casual, these drinks brought in over $181 billion to the industry in 2016. Coffee and soda lead this category, while specialty beverages are expected to continue to grow. 

"Beverages account for $1 out of every $5 consumers spend away from home," said David Henkes, senior principal at Technomic. This makes the category a valuable investment for restaurant owners. 

The beverage category is changing with an increased emphasis on healthy products. Consumers are seeking options that contain natural sweeteners such as honey and stevia. 

Read the full article here.