Desserts: Trends
So What? Given desserts are now also being consumed as snacks, thus gaining popularity, they present a new area of growth opportunity in foodservice.
Beverages: Beyond Pumpkin
So What? Seasonal drinks have now proven to make great beverage LTOs. Start innovating for spring and summer seasonal beverages.
Burgers: Best in America
• Cheeseburger Ubiquity – Stacked with patties and cheese; top picks from around the country – local dinners and Chains (e.g., Whataburger).
• Black Bean Burger – Any plant-based fans in the house?
• Carbonara Style – Burgers with dropped eggs now on trend.
Note: Jalapeños and bacon top, toppings!
So What? Burgers are mentioned on 45% of menus across the U.S., and in 43% locations (Datassential). KaChing, KaChing, KaChing for those manufacturers and operators capitalizing on America’s burger craze.
Marketing: Millennial Marketing Tips
• Attention – Grabbing their attention (e.g., visuals) leads to impulse purchases.
• Interest – Creative and interesting content important. Millennials share!
• Desire – Develop a high level of interest that results in social media momentum via interaction.
• Action – Provide purchase incentives that lead to sales.
So What? Millennials have become a key demographic in foodservice based on their eating-away-from-home behavior, thus it is important to study and familiarize your organization with their marketing “hot buttons.”
Consumerism: Taste Journey
So What? As consumers become more sophisticated eaters, so is the innovative thought process in developing quality new products that deliver great taste by better understanding the consumer taste journey.
Consumerism: Digital Black Millennials
So What? African-American Millennials utilization of technology has now become an equalizer among their peers and community. Consequently, it is important to take notice how they have become key influencers impacting overall change in America.
Segment Competition: Amazon is Coming
So What? Advanced technology will enable foodservice operators to improve the delivery of convenience items to their guests, thus remain competitive as more and more food options outside of the foodservice channel become available from C-stores, Retail Grocery stores, Mass Merchandisers, etc., and now Amazon!
Segment Competition: NACS Highlights
• Fuel City (TX) – Gas station, taco shop, karaoke, car wash, etc. Note: Police direct their drive thru traffic on weekends!
• Throx (VA) – High end, “better for you” food and protein shakes.
• Metro Market (GA) – Prototype of an urban convenience store retrofitted into an old building.
• Mendez Fuel – Local and sustainable food, cold-pressed juices.
So What? The days of C-stores roller dogs are history. C-stores continue to step up their food offerings to be on trend, thus now represent stiff competition for Fast Foods in every market.
So What? Bonus: Sodium Reduction
So What? One solution they propose is for the FDA to examine the role sodium plays category by category (broken into subdivisions). By being more flexible, the GMA believes the FDA will avoid numerous class action lawsuits since the guidance as written (proposed) is impractical.