DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 10 | 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. PIZZA HUT’S NAGA ROULETTE 

Targeting spice lovers, Pizza Hut has launched its ‘Cheesy Bites Roulette’ pizza. The pizza consists of 28 bites, 7 of which containing the extremely hot Naga Chilli. Selected Pizza Hut restaurants have designated ‘Fire in the Booth’ zones to heighten the full Cheesy Bites experience including ‘fireproof’ boxes full of novelty props – from milkshake glasses to gloves and goggles for protection. Along the spicy theme, Burger King has chosen UFC star Conor ‘The Notorious’ McGregor as its frontman for its new Spicy Crispy Chicken Sandwich. His Instagram caption reads: "Forget Floyd, forget Nate, forget Khabib and forget Tony. I finally found a real contender who can bring the heat #Burgerking.”

2. SUBWAY ‘DON’T DO DAINTY’ WRAPS  

Subway US has introduced a new Signature Wrap Collection as part of its menu innovation strategy. These protein–packed wraps contain double the meat of an average 6-inch sub plus a combination of veggies, cheese and sauces and come in three different flavours: Chipotle Southwest Steak & Cheese, Turkey, Bacon & Guacamole & Rotisserie-Style Chicken Caesar. Guests will have the option to create their own ‘Signature Wrap’ which can be wrapped in either a tomato & basil or spinach wrap. The ad campaign states Subway doesn’t do tiny or dainty – watch the ad campaign here >>

3. AMAZON’S GROUNDWORK IN FRANCE

Since 2010, Amazon has invested €2bn in its French market presence, strengthening its supply chain in order to expand its service and range nationwide. At the moment, French subscribers to Amazon Prime can order everyday households items like batteries, light bulbs while Parisians also have access to its express delivery service called Amazon Prime Now. In 2018, its French workforce will reach 7,800 employees. France has one of the world’s leading online grocery markets, accounting for 5.3% of total fmcg sales (Kantar Worldpanel, June 2016). This is in part due to the early introduction of click-and-drive services compared to other countries and despite relatively low penetration, high frequency of use.

4. HUNGRY IN HAMBURG?

Internorga kicked off today in Hamburg with 1,300 exhibitors from 25 countries showcasing their menu innovations to the largest foodservice market in Europe. If you are planning on visiting the show you are welcome to visit us in Hall A1 | Stand 415 where we will be presenting our new Mexican inspired ‘Street Food Collection’ until March 13th – For show information and to learn more about Internorga click here >>

5. LOW CALORIE SPOTLIGHT

Public Health England has launched a new healthy eating campaign, recommending consumers cut calorie consumption by 20%. Adults are encouraged to stick to a 400-600-600 rule of thumb – 400 calories for breakfast and 600 each for lunch and dinner. Retailers including Boots, Greggs, Subway and McDonald’s have joined the initiative to help provide consumers with healthy meal deal options on the go. Subway’s menu is already under 600 calories with 80% rated amber or green traffic light, while McDonald’s now offers both 400 & 600 calorie meal deals. A recent poll by Diabetes UK suggests 3 in 4 people want all cafes, restaurants and takeaways to display calorie information on menus.

6. TOSSED BUYS VITAL INGREDIENTS  

Salad bar chain Tossed has acquired the remaining Vital Ingredient stores, months after it was bought out of administration. The combined group will now operate 38 locations across London. Whereas Tossed considers its strengths to be hot food and technology, Vital Ingredients brings a complementary range (made-to-order salads and soups) and a number of attractive central London locations. Tossed aims to show “healthy eating doesn’t have to be boring”. Its first site opened in 2005 and it claims to have launched Europe’s first "cashless" restaurant in 2015.

7. HELLO AMERICA

‘Hello America’ is the theme at frozen retailer Picard this month including BBQ pulled pork, pastrami, Tex mex beef pizzas, shredded beef bagels, hot dogs, ribs as well as cupcakes and Oreo cookie cheesecake. One in five French consumers would like more American food available to them (source: Dalia Research, 2017). Pizza delivery chain Speed Rabbit is also tapping into the American food trend; its current LTO is BBQ pulled pork pizza (along with crème fraiche, onions, peppers).

8. WHICH WICH VIBEOLOGY

Dallas-based Which Wich Superior Sandwiches has just made its UK debut (St Giles Plaza, near New Oxford Street). This marks the first of 10 stores set to open in four years with 100 planned by 2028. If you haven’t heard of it before, established in 2003, Which Wich has around 500 stores in the US, Mexico and Middle East.  It’s similar in format to Subway in that the concept specialises in customizable, hot sandwiches made with fresh ingredients. It offers a breakfast and premium range as well as signature favourites and fries. There’s a “Grab and Go” section with soups, salads, various dips and breakfast porridge.

9. ARBY’S SANDWICH LEGENDS

There has been a strong American theme to this week’s Top 9 and it doesn’t get more American than US chain Arby’s whose range of Sandwich Legends is joined by two newcomers. The Miami Cuban features sliced pork loin and pit-smoked ham topped with melted swiss cheese, dill pickles and yellow mustard on a toasted sub roll. The Texas brisket sandwich is hickory-smoked for 13 hours with a Texas-style BBQ sauce, crispy onions and pickles served on Texas toast. The rationale behind the range is to tap into the specific cities and regions where they were created, “paying homage to the classics”.