DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 31| 2019

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. MCDONALD’S SWEET POTATO FRIES 

McDonald’s has again updated its international menu to highlight some of its winning concepts from around the globe. Sweet potato fries are one of several dishes now represented in McDonald’s international menu, featuring currently as part of its Netherlands Summer Surprises campaign along with the Maestro Southern BBQ burger and a Sharing box. Other dishes include grilled Halloumi Muffins from Cyprus, the 1955 Burger from Germany and the Chicken, Bacon and Onion Sandwich from France. According to Innova, new product launches containing sweet potato increased by a CAGR of 21% from 2015-18 globally. The rise of the sweet potato reflects how consumers are embracing ‘healthy swaps’ in everyday food.

2. BOLT FOOD SETS SIGHTS ON EUROPE 

Bolt, formally known as Taxify, is an eastern European ride-hailing company that has entered the crowded food delivery market with a new service called Bolt Food, following in the footsteps of Uber. Valued at $1 billion dollars, Bolt claims to be market leader in at least 11 out of the 30 countries in which it operates. Initially available in Tallinn, Estonia, it plans to expand to other regions across Europe and Africa by 2020. While other ride-hailing companies have struggled to achieve profitable growth in the food delivery market thanks to high overhead costs, Bolt plans to undercut rivals on delivery prices and offer higher earnings for carriers. 

3.  NEXT WAVE FAST CASUAL PIZZA

In the US, fast casual build-your-own pizza chains are striving for differentiation as the market becomes increasingly crowded, emphasizing chef-driven menus, greater customization, and seasonal limited editions. MOD believes their unique combinations inspire consumers, such as pairing house-roasted pineapple with tangy barbecue sauce. Blaze is leading the trail for natural, clean ingredients such as pepperoni. Newk’s Eatery highlights fresh takes on classic flavours, using non-tomato-based sauces. Unique pizza offerings can also help increase profits and attract more regular visitors – such as nutritious toppings such as kale, spinach, asparagus, or artichoke hearts and alternatives doughs such as cauliflower, avocado, and sweet potato.  

4. BK'S MAPLE WAFFLE ALARM CLOCK

Burger King US has revamped its breakfast menu with the introduction of three new limited-time savoury and sweet Maple Waffle Sandwiches. As well as ‘fluffy eggs’, waffle sandwich fillings include thin sliced sweet black forest ham, thick cut naturally smoked bacon and seasoned sausage. The sweet and savoury theme follows similar recent launches by McDonald's (Blueberry McGriddles) and Tim Hortons (Waffle Sandwiches). Egg-based NPD shows no signs of waning – on US supermarket shelves we recently saw a Benedict Brunch Bowl by Urban Remedy and on-the go Just Crack An Egg breakfast bowls from Ore-Ida. 

5. FTG @ TRAVEL HUBS 

Valued at almost £2.6bn, foodservice at Britain’s travel hubs is set for “explosive” growth (the NPD Group) and could see the same type of growth as the delivery channel.  In the past three years, airports have seen a 31% growth followed by a 16% increase in motorway service stations. Travelling through Birmingham airport recently, we noted the new M&S food-to-go concept complete with sit-down area, hot food counter and ‘freshly made ciabatta sandwiches’.  Caffe Nero’s new deli counter ‘Add a salad’ was also an appetising addition. This trend is not exclusive to the UK, in France Chefs de Gare is a 7 day ‘regional gastronomy’ event happening across 37 train stations nationwide.

6. ROAST REWARDS - MEDIUM EFFORT

In today’s fast-paced lives, consumers want food to taste as good as a home-cooked meal but ultimately crave convenience. Time is a luxury reserved for certain events, one of which is the traditional roast dinner which is the third most popular dish in Britain (Grocer Focus on Roast Dinner 2019). However, consumers want shortcuts, when it comes to roast dinners they expect medium effort to achieve maximum reward. This in turn is creating opportunities for premium shortcuts from duck fat roast potatoes to gastropub-style giant Yorkshire puddings. Roast chicken is in growth as is the popularity of the one-person roast dinner.  

7. RETURN & REUSE

Returnr is an environmental initiative in Australia providing solutions to make the food delivery business more sustainable. They provide reusable stainless-steel bowls and cups to restaurants, cafes and Deliveroo locations for them to use instead of one-time-use packaging. Consumers can choose to pay a deposit for their meal to arrive in a Returnr container which is then refunded once returned to any location within the network. Since its soft launch in late 2018, over 85,000 single-use plastic bowls have been saved from landfill. UK retailer Waitrose is rolling out a scheme that gives shoppers the option to buy products using refillable containers. The prices on these items are 15% cheaper than the packaged options.

8. DOMINO'S INNOVATION GARAGE 

Domino’s opened an ‘Innovation Garage’ this week to test out delivery and in-store technology at its headquarters in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The Innovation Garage will not be open to the public, so employees are encouraged to use the space to ‘take risks and fail fast’. The space can be used among 150 employees to test out store layouts, different ways to order, as well as new customer-facing technology. The tech-forward brand is also doing well in Europe, with sales up 11% to €713mn, boosted by online sales as well as 77 new stores. Domino’s surpassed its 1,000-store milestone in Europe this year.  

9. CHRISTMAS IS COMING

Feeling festive? Retailers Aldi and Tesco are already teasing us with their festive range previews. As always there are some revamped nostalgic favourites, mini party food (and giant sharing) versions as well as some new novelty treats. Note Aldi’s Loaded Yorkshire Puddings - mini Yorkshire Puddings topped with pork, sage & onion stuffing balls and finished with a pig in blanket to give you a Christmas dinner in just one mouthful. Tesco newcomers include Pigs In Blankets filled with chicken or chorizo sausages, Mini Beef Tacos, and Deep Fried Sprouts and Sticky Cauliflower.   

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