DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 39| 2019
GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS.
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1.ANUGA INNOVATION HIGHLIGHTS
Last week the mammoth trade fair Anuga welcomed 160,000 visitors and 7,400 companies from 192 countries to Cologne. NPD conversations ranged from clean label, organic/bio to gluten free and halal. Predictably, alternative protein was one of the recurring themes in newer products. Jenny Zegler from Mintel noted the shift of novel protein sources and dairy/meat alternatives from niche to mainstream, with innovations slanted towards the growing out-of-home and on-the-go consumer. Notably whether meat products, vegetarian products, meals, snacks or beverages, the selling power of protein was evident. Click here for a slideshow of Anuga’s innovation highlights>
2. CHICK-FIL-A & WENDY’S UK RETURN
US burger chain Wendy’s has set its sights on the UK once more. Almost two decades after pulling out of the UK, the chain is looking to enter the market again in the next 12-18 months. Speculations on its return dated back to 2017 when Wendy’s hosted a one-day pop-up in London. Quoting MCA “more pop-ups than a meercat disco”; last week, Chick-fil-A opened its first ‘permanent’ pilot destination in Europe (The Oracle shopping centre in Reading). US giant Chick-fil-A has over 2,400 restaurants and has just reached $10.5bn in sales.
3. IRISH MARKET TEMPTS UK BRANDS
In March 2019, ‘Naturally Fast Food’ chain LEON opened in Dublin and has just secured an investment of €3.6mn which will deliver the company’s planned roll-out of 20 stores nationwide. Recently announced, Pret a Manger is set to open its first stores in Ireland early next year. Two locations have already been identified, one of which is in Dublin centre city. In other Pret news, it has just unveiled the Wonder Box as part of its digital store trial, allowing customers to scan and add products to basket for payment. We’ve had the BLT, the P.L.T. (McDonald’s Canada) and now Pret’s new range of Vegan Classic sandwiches includes the V.L.T. featuring roasted shiitake mushroom ‘rashers’.
4. AUTUMNAL LAUNCHES IN THE USA
This time of year, America is in full autumnal swing with Thanksgiving just around the corner – click here to view> Some new Fall innovations include Arby’s Beer Cheese Triple Stack, featuring three kinds of beef: roast beef, corned beef and shredded beer-braised beef topped with beer cheese, fried onions and beer mustard on a pretzel roll. Dat Dog’s limited time offer ‘Salchichas de los Muertos’ are chorizo sausages topped with corn salsa, sour cream, cojita cheese and Tajin. Lastly, PDQ’s alternative Thanksgiving dinner consists of a Fried Turkey Sandwich with cranberry sauce and stuffing-seasoned mayonnaise.
5. THE DUTCH OPPORTUNITY
In world ranking, the Netherlands economy has moved up 2 places from last year, overtaking Germany, and is now in 4th place out of 141 as Europe’s most competitive economy. The Netherlands scored highly for macro-economic stability, infrastructure and business dynamism. One company taking advantage of the dynamic delivery marketplace is De Beren, a casual dining chain in the Netherlands that first opened in Rotterdam in 1984 (52 outlets, €52mn turnover in 2018). It first started delivering back in 2001 but has recently increased its momentum with 3 new delivery restaurants opening in Leiden South, Dordrecht South and Apeldoorn within a three-week period and 1 in Beverwijk in the near future.
6. SUPER-SIZED TASTY AT NYP
Speaking of Dutch delivery, New York Pizza in the Netherlands has launched its new Four Tasty XXL pizza targeting the sharing occasion with friends. The pizza is 40cm in size, and you have the option to choose different toppings for each quarter. Other examples of innovation on the menu include the Mamma Mia Meatlover - a meat feast of pepperoni, ham, beef with garlic oil to the edge. Or for carb-conscious veggie lovers, there is a veggie pizza with a cauliflower base.
7. DOMINO’S MEXICAN CARTEL
In time for Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations this weekend (2nd November), Domino’s Portugal is spicing up its menu with a Mexican-themed menu. Pulled barbacoa beef features on 2 pizzas; ‘The Guadeloupe’ with guacamole sauce, peppers and on ‘The Paloma’ with pepperoni, mushrooms and green peppers. The Tropicaliente Pizza is a fiery option that comes with bacon, ham, pineapple, jalapeno peppers and hot sauce. You are also invited to add a Mexican touch to your side dishes with Mexican or guacamole sauce; or share an appetiser such as Crunchy Nachos with beef, cheese, olives, caramelized onion, guacamole and Mexican sauce.
8. WHAT’S NEXT IN MEXICAN?
Staying with Mexican, Taco Bell celebrated National Taco Day on 4th October across its global sites. The event coincided with the launch of the new Doritos Locos Tacos in the UK, with its shell made of Tangy Cheese Doritos. The DLT featured in a free giveaway across all UK stores on Friday 4th. In the US, kicking off the ‘Season of Giving’, Taco Bell fans could buy a $5 National Taco Day Gift Set (4 tacos) and gift them via digital gift card. Mexican food couldn’t be hotter at the moment – here are 5 new culinary trends to look out for in 2020 from Mexican herbs, wine to traditional techniques>
9. MIND YOUR HEALTH
The topic of mental health has never been so openly discussed and many brands are tackling it head-on, acknowledging its resonance with consumers of all ages. Consumers today are much more likely to share common feelings of stress, anxiety, burnout or depression. But which generation is driving the conversation, the Millennial or Gen Z consumer? Plug in and listen to a Mintel podcast on how food brands from Burger King to Wagamama are changing the conversation in a positive way to empower consumers>
At Dawn Farms we offer a full product solution for cooked, dried and fermented meat ingredients across pizza, sandwich and prepared meal sectors. We are proud to be the preferred supplier to the world's leading food brands and are considered to be the industry leaders in food safety, sustainability and insight-led product innovation. We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, which is why for your convenience all our products are fully cooked and ready-to-eat.
Visit our website to discover the ingredients that set us apart.
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