DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 30 | 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. KFC ZINGER DOUBLE DOWN

With high expectations, KFC UK/Ireland has launched the Zinger Double Down – check out the press launch here>, featuring two spicy Zinger chicken fillets, crispy bacon, melted cheese, hot salsa and pepper mayo. The original Double Down claims to be the fastest-selling KFC UK burger ever and its most successful KFC sandwich in history. Since the sandwich’s 2010 launch in the US, it has sold out in every country it has been released in. When the Double Down first hit the UK, it was reported one Double Down was sold every second.  Meanwhile in Thailand, KFC asks ‘what’s your heat level - Angry Hot or Baby hot?”.

2. BOOST FOR BURGER KING

The Burger King master franchise was first granted to Groupe Bertrand in 2013 by Restaurant Brands International, giving it the exclusive right to roll out stores nationwide. Groupe Bertrand has now teamed up with investors Bridgepoint who will support its expansion in what is considered the second-biggest burger market in Europe (worth €6.4 billion and growing at 4-6% per annum). By the end of 2018, Burger King will operate 300 branded stores (450 sites in total). In a culinary list of top 10 sandwiches to eat in France, the Food & Drink website puts the hamburger in 10th place, below kebabs and falafels – click here to see if you agree>

3. CHICK-FIL-A TAKES ON BLUE APRON

Communicating both transparency and convenience, Chick-Fil-A is trialling a range of 5 meal kits at 150 Atlanta restaurants in August, on sale via the drive-thru, front counter or through the Chick-fil-A One app. It’s encouraging consumers to bypass online delivery services like Hello Fresh and Blue Apron as well as the meal solutions aisle at the supermarket. Along with 30 minute recipe cards, the meal kits contain portioned ingredients including the chain’s marinated chicken. Initial recipe choices are Chicken Parmesan, Chicken Enchiladas, Dijon Chicken, Pan Roasted Chicken and Chicken Flatbread however these will rotate each month until November.

4. TESCO’S LATEST DISCOUNT SOLUTION

UK households' overall outgoings have surpassed their income for the first time since 1988 (source: ONS), with the average household experiencing a £900 shortfall in 2017. With more households struggling to make ends meet, the demand for discounters continues to grow. Tesco’s recent acquisition of wholesaler Booker is considered a vital part of its discount strategy, as well as the launch of Jack’s - the rumoured name of Tesco’s new discount chain opening in September with up to 60 pared-down format stores planned throughout the UK. The discount food market has flourished in recent years; Aldi & Lidl now have a combined 13% share of UK grocery, while general discounters such as Wilko, B&M and Poundland have gradually increased their food ranges.

5. SUBWAY'S NEW SIGNATURE

After successful regional trials, Subway UK/Ireland has launched its new Signature Loaded Wraps nationwide - click here to view> with 3 original recipes featuring “double the meat”; Chipotle Southwest Steak & Cheese; Turkey, Bacon and Guacamole; and Rotisserie-Style Chicken Caesar available until November. Meanwhile the street food-inspired Wrap it Up! chain is ‘scrapping the wrap’ by offering boxed versions of its salads and nachos to offer a lighter summer option.

6. WHAT’S MY PIZZA’S ETA?

Food delivery is booming and consumers are telling service providers they want more connectivity. Some 33% of UK consumers want to know the exact ETA of their delivery as soon as they’ve hit the order button. As younger generations become accustomed to instant gratification and impulse purchasing; voice-based ordering like Siri or Alexa and food tracking technology is expected to be the future of food delivery. Listen to Euromonitor’s perspective on the evolving delivery scene, as emphasis on menu variety and sourcing promises to become key, since companies like Uber Eats are making it a more even playing field for all sizes of food businesses>

7. AMERICA’S SANDWICH SPOTLIGHT

What are America’s favourite sandwiches? According to this US website, the Maple Syrup Dunked Sandwich and Breakfast Cemita top the charts including green chilli-chicken sausage, smoked pepper aioli, and crispy fried onions. Traditional all-day breakfast sandwiches have almost doubled on US restaurant menus since 2012 while flavours from Korea and Vietnam are also gaining popularity. To see a full line up of The Best Sandwiches in America, click here> the Cubano wins every time for us.

8. CHINA ‘APP’EARS ON TOP

China is trailblazing the rise of mobile payments with more than 60% of the worldwide user base in 2018. Mobile payment apps such as WeChat Pay and Alipay are transforming online marketing. Data gathered on eating habits for example is being used to more closely target advertising and promotions. Operators now have access to software allowing them to customize payment solutions; some restaurants are ditching physical menus altogether and allowing customers to scan a code that takes them to an online menu where they choose their meal and pay using a mobile payment app.

9. NEW TECH HUB IN SOUTHERN EU

Spanish start-up Glovo has received an additional €115 million funding as it embarks on series C of its food-delivery platform roll-out. Investors include Amrest, Rakuten Capital and Cathay Innovation. Its business model is more personal shopper than ordering a takeaway (a combination of Uber Eats and Postmates perhaps), since Glovo app users can request anything from a burger to a grocery shop. Established in Barcelona in 2015, Glovo’s estimated value is €300mn, having carved its niche in southern Europe (primarily Spain - 21 cities) and Latin America. The legal risk of the gig economy makes countries like the UK less accessible and Latin America more attractive for the start-up.