DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 22

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. POPEYES EU EXPANSION

Following its French launch last year, US fried chicken restaurant Popeyes is expanding into the Spanish market in partnership with master franchisee Gregorio Jimenez.  Popeyes currently has over 3,100 locations across 25 countries, including the USA, Canada which makes it the second largest QSR chicken restaurant group in outlet count after KFC. Parent company Restaurant Brands International (RBI), who owns Burger King & Tim Hortons, bought Popeyes in 2017 as part of its bid to increase its restaurant portfolio to 40,000 restaurants over the next 8-10 years. Popeyes offers a New Orleans-style menu featuring fried chicken, chicken tenders, chicken and sausage jambalaya and po’boy sandwiches.  

2.  DOMINO’S SMART SCANNER  

Introducing DOM Pizza Checker – Domino’s latest tech innovation to improve the customer experience. Developed in Australia, the DOM Pizza Checker will sit above the cutting bench and literally oversee the quality of every pizza in a bid to improve product quality and consistency. “My pizza doesn’t look like it should” is a common customer complaint so this initiative is intended to reassure Domino’s customers that a great pizza is guaranteed.

3. AMAZON’S CREATES RETAIL BUZZ

Bringing customers new ways to shop, Amazon is piloting a couple of new retail concepts. Firstly, its planning 10 ‘Clicks and Mortar’ high street stores; a year-long initiative involving pop-up shops across the UK which will offer food and drink, homeware, health and beauty, and electronics (check out St Mary’s Gate in central Manchester). Perhaps inspired by the popularity of food trucks, it’s rolling out Treasure Trucks (kiosks) to train stations throughout London to sell a rotating range of discounted products for a limited time only. Launched in 2017 in the US, the truck sells just one product a day at a significant discount. 

4. WHAT’S NEW IN PIZZA? 

Pizza Hut has refreshed its Original Pan Pizza recipe, now baked in a new style of pan that delivers a golden-brown, crispy and buttery crust with a soft and chewy centre, topped with a new blend of cheese and sauce. Little Caesars has teamed up with Impossible Foods to launch its new Impossible Supreme Pizza with a plant-based sausage. Pie Five Pizza has launched a new range of calzones eg the Italian Calzone includes Tuscan marinara, mozzarella, pepperoni, ham, bacon, beef, Italian sausage and house dressing. Aldi UK’s recent launch Stonebaked Pinsas are made from a new type of “more digestible” dough (available in 3 flavours including Chicken Tikka £1.99). 

5. MEAT AND...SWEETS

Online food retailer Musclefood has launched a new summer range combining both meat and retro confectionery. The company is hoping to catch our attention with 3 candy-coated options which include beef steak burgers topped with popping candy, pork steaks marinated in Parma Violets and Rainbow Drop-coated chicken breasts (rsp £3.50 - £4). The meats are delivered along with packets of sweets, which consumers then use to prepare their meal.  

6. LIDL CHANGES THE CONVERSATION 

Lidl is shifting the focus of its marketing communications to being ‘Big on Quality’ and range – click here to view >> not just price. Meanwhile Sainsbury’s has revamped its premium own-label range ‘Taste the Difference’ with refreshed packaging, reformulated recipes and new lines, starting with ready meals and selected deli products. It has also launched a new Summer Edition range featuring newcomers like Beer Marinated Chicken Breasts, and Pineapple, Rum and Coconut Kebabs– click here to view Sainsbury’s Spring/Summer catalogue >>  

7. SAY ALOHA TO SUBWAY’S NEW 8-INCH   

Subway is testing a new 8-inch sub in 3 US markets. It’s made with King’s Hawaiian bread, a distinctively sweet hoagie bun, and the chain claims it will be the first brand to bake the signature bread fresh in its stores. Customers can ask for their order “aloha style” to get one of the two new signature subs, Turkey, Bacon & Provolone or a Ham & Swiss on the Hawaiian bread. Meanwhile in France, Subway has launched 3 new signature wraps including Beef and Guacamole. Delivery is a dynamic part of Subway’s business in France, perhaps a further boost will come tonight as the Women’s World Cup kicks off in Paris with France vs Korea. 

8. AMBITIONS OF A GERMAN KEBAB 

Fast casual chain German Doner Kebab plans to open a new UK restaurant every two weeks for the rest of 2019 as part of its ‘healthy kebab revolution’. Operating stores across the UK, Sweden and the Middle East, and reporting weekly sales of £1mn, the chain differentiates itself by offering a healthy and nutritionally balanced approach to traditional kebabs with a menu featuring kebabs, Doner boxes and sides such as Doner Topped Nachos with beef or chicken. 

9. THE ‘BURN OUT’ OPPORTUNITY 

The global wellness economy is worth an estimated $4.2 trillion (Global Wellness Institute 2017), growing nearly twice as fast as overall economic growth. From superfoods to wearable technology, wellness has come a long way. When it comes to the pursuit of health and happiness, 2 topics to look out for are Burn Out (mental and physical) and Air Pollution. Here are some brand initiatives. Shake Shack is trialling a 4-day week for some employees. In Mexico City, Pernod Ricard erected Absolut Street Trees which purify the air via brightly-coloured murals which use a certain type of paint. Meanwhile, in France Class’Croute has just launched a new Superfoods food-to-go range, featuring the Peacemaker Salad and the Super Energy sandwich.   

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