DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 29| 2020

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. MORRISONS 'NO PEPPERONI' PIZZA

Morrisons have launched their own vegan pizza which is a first for UK supermarkets. The ‘No Pepperoni’ Pizza retails at £2.50 and offers a convincing meat-free alternative with flavour just like the original as customers requested. It is made from vegan dough and is topped with tomato and plant-based cheese. The selection of plant-based pizzas has grown significantly this year as brands all aim for a slice of the action.

2. SUBWAY RANKS HIGH

Subway was named as both the highest ranked QSR and the highest rated ‘leisure’ company in the July 2020 UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) with a customer satisfaction score of 83.3. The brand shares 6th place for customer satisfaction out of more than 270 companies across 13 sectors. Over 26 characteristics are examined in the study, such as staff professionalism, quality and efficiency and complaint handling. The UKCSI is regarded as a national barometer of customer satisfaction in the UK, which has been run by The Institute of Customer Service since 2008 and is based on the feedback from more than 45,000 customers.   

3. RETAILERS LAUNCH MEAL KITS

Following the success of its food box launch amid the pandemic, Morrisons is introducing a new box containing ingredients for family meals for £30, including delivery. ‘Five Meals to Feed a Family of Four’, their latest box offers quick evening meals for shoppers to cook from scratch, with each meal costing roughly £1.50 per head. M&S has also launched its ‘Cook with M&S’ box, which costs £32 plus £4.99 for delivery, with recipe cards, meat, fresh produce and sauces to make three meals for two people, including their chicken tikka tray bake with spiced potatoes and peppers, king prawn paella with bell peppers and peas and pork loin medallions with a mushroom and garlic sauce.

4. GRAB AND GO CONCEPTS

Costa Coffee has developed a new concept store in London featuring a grab-and-go hatch. Taking up half of the storefront space, the new hatch is designed to limit contact for takeaways and click & collect orders via the brand’s app. Meanwhile, Selfridges has launched a street market called Market on the Mews, which will operate behind its Oxford Street store in London from 9-4pm every weekend until the end of August. Customers can expect regularly updated offerings of food, drink, plants, bikes and furniture. The market will be limited to 16 customers at a time with a one-way system in place to comply with social distancing protocols.  

5. PIT MASTERS OF CALIFORNIA

Three California-based “pit masters” are bringing barbecue cooking styles and smoked meats to the next generation by openly sharing the approach to their craft. Daniel Castillo, known for his brisket roulade and bourbon barrel-cured ham, is opening his own restaurant, Heritage Barbecue, later this year. He associates closely with owners of Moo’s Craft Barbecue who experiment with Mexican American flavours and the owners of Trudy’s Underground Barbecue and Slab, who are interested in fusing smoked meat with Israeli flavours, such as zhoug and hummus. Together, they are upping the barbecue game in California by incorporating a multitude of cultural inspirations.  

6. RE-IMAGINE MENU OFFERINGS

Shared plates and buffets are giving way to individual servings as restaurant operators are revising menus to adhere to safer offerings. The challenge will be to deliver creativity and convenience with a value-added perspective. Consumers are looking for options they cannot make at home with enhanced versions of familiar favourites. Eye-catching options and add-ons are especially popular to refresh menu items with new toppings, ingredients and sauces, without having to create a whole new dish.

7. TIME TO EAT OUT

QSR’s in the UK are getting back on their feet with gradual reopening plans in place. McDonalds have announced they will open around 7,000 restaurants for dine-in from July 22nd following the success of their drive-thru reopening's. Similarly, Pizza Hut are now offering dine-in services at select locations and they will plan to reopen two-thirds of their estate by the end of July. French bakery and cafe brand, Paul has reopened 75% of its stores through indoor and outdoor seating options and is boosting interest through a plant-based launch with ‘The Food Medic’ with items such as a BBQ jackfruit roll and chicken salad.  

8. NEW DESIGNS FOR RESTAURANTS

Brands are keen to ensure the safety of their customers and employees, with measures such as moving tables 6 feet apart or adding barriers where customers place their order. Marty McCauley, the design director at FRCH NELSON, who has previously worked with KFC, Buffalo Rings & Wings and Domino’s, thinks we’ll begin to see 1,500-square-foot units in place of 3,000 square-foot spaces, enabling more agility and space for customer collection and curb-side pickup. He recommends an end-to-end branded experience for the customer; from interactive car parks to improved digital signage, ergonomic menu boards, drive-thru entries to outdoor eating areas and the pavement or floored space externally.   

9. TACO BELL TACO TUESDAYS

Taco Bell U.S. is amending its menu starting mid-August based on greater efficiencies for staff and customers. They are making room for classic LTOs, new fan-favourites and plant-based offerings by removing 12 current menu offerings. New additions include the $5 Grande Nachos Box filled with tortilla chips, double seasoned beef, refried beans, nacho cheese sauce, three-cheese blend, pico de gallo, guacamole and reduced-fat sour cream and the Beef Burrito will be a permanent addition on the brand’s Carvings Value Menu. Meanwhile, Taco Bell UK have announced they will offer one free crunchy taco to every customer each Tuesday in August, via the Taco Bell app, with a choice between beef, chicken, or black beans as a filling.  

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