# Connected Meal Time Products and services aim to foster a sense of togetherness during meals. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Mar 30, 2015 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-mealtime ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Connected Meal Time trend? **Connected Meal Time:** With consumers' lives busier than ever, the sense of intimacy and togetherness that was once present during family meal-times is now dwindling. People are more likely to eat alone or while on-the-go, and even meals shared with family and friends are cut short or interrupted by a barrage of e-mails and phone calls. In order to rectify this situation, apps and products that encourage bonding and socialization during meals are on the rise, suggesting a desire for a return to family-focused ritual and tradition. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 28 to Oct 27, 2015 - Published: Mar 30, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia) ## Audience - Gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Connected Meal Time trend ### Meal-Time Bonding Apps and products that encourage bonding and socialization during meals are on the rise. ### Group Meal Ordering Food delivery services designed to make group food deliveries easier to carry out, minimizing mistakes and mix-ups. ### Family Dinner Apps Apps that encourage families to get together in real life and converse over food, to make mealtime special again. ## What the Connected Meal Time trend means for industry ### For Food and Hospitality Apps, products, and services that encourage bonding and socialization during meals appeal to the food and hospitality industry. ### For Technology Technology companies have developed mobile apps for group meal ordering and family dinner apps to bring people together. ### For Recruiting Firms like Lunchcruit are using the meal experience as an opportunity for organic recruiting. ## Trend signals for Connected Meal Time Trend score 4.0 out of 10, from popularity 73%, activity 39%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 73% - Activity: 39% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Connected Meal Time trend 6 featured examples from Feb 28 to Oct 27, 2015. - [Startup Networking Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/startup-networking): Lunchcruit Builds Professional Connections Through Sit-Down Meals (Category: Tech) Implication: Lunchcruit disrupts the traditional recruiting industry by offering a more personalized and enjoyable experience. - [Group Lunch Ordering Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-orders): LunchLoop Makes Group Food Orders Easier (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food delivery and catering industry can benefit from the trend of group lunch ordering services by providing additional services to cater to group orders and streamline the or… - [Food-Focused Recruiting Sites](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lunchcruit): Lunchcruit Pairs Job Seekers with Companies for Free Lunch Dates (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: HR departments can utilize Lunchcruit's concept to hire top talent in other industries by offering them a unique and casual recruitment experience. - [Social Media Supper Hosts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cookening): Cookening Brings Strangers Together to Eat Dinner at the Same Table (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Cookening disrupts the traditional dining industry by offering a platform for budding chefs and food enthusiasts to connect and share meals. - [Familial Dinner Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-dinner-app): DinnerCall is a Family Dinner App That Aims to Make Mealtime Special Again (Category: Social Good) Implication: Opportunities for app developers and designers to tap into the potential of social and family-oriented apps like DinnerCall to promote meaningful engagement by users. - [Mobile Meal-Sharing Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinner-party-app): A Dinner Party App Brings Neighbors Together for Home-Cooked Food (Category: Tech) Implication: Introducing mobile apps that facilitate the hosting of home-cooked meals and bring neighbors together for socializing. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)