DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 50| 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. KFC’S NEW RED STRATEGY 

KFC has launched a new global strategy RED; Relevant, Easy and Distinctive, intended to strengthen the brand and drive restaurant development. Relevant in terms of market localisation, occasion-specific, and flavour trends; KFC is planning more than 50 premium LTO launches globally in 2019. The CEO recognises consumers expect more from global brands, namely ‘fast good’ company values as well as product value. To ease the customer experience, KFC wants to become an omni-channel global powerhouse by dominating 3 channels: out-of-store, home delivery and click-and-collect with plans for over 5,000 stores to offer kiosks. Finally, brand distinction. KFC plans to make greater use of Colonel Sanders iconic assets across its various consumer touchpoints.  

2.  SANDWICH TRENDS IN FRANCE 

In France the sandwich concept continues to evolve. French website, Snacking, points out 9 trends influencing the sandwich category in 2019, click here read more >>. For example, bread used to be simply a carrier; it has since become an ingredient itself with various shapes, sizes, and flavours. While French consumers are eating less bread at home - consumption has shifted more to on-the-go channels where the product offer has become more gourmet and diversified. Some 2.4bn sandwiches sold, up almost 2% on last year and now representing 30% of fast food market.   

3. MCDONALD’S FESTIVE GIVEAWAY

As part of its #ReindeerReady campaign; McDonald’s UK has launched a competition to win its limited-edition range of Chicken McNugget festive merchandise. Choose between a set of festive McNugget lights, a unique Christmas bauble – a golden glass-shaped McNugget adorned with a Santa Hat or even Christmas jumpers. Another festive initiative comes from discount retailer Iceland, who has built an ice rink in its Stratford store. This was inspired by research showing four in five parents wish they had more time to enjoy the run-up to the big day, while 89% of children find Christmas food shopping boring. To see ‘Shopping On Ice at Iceland, and other festive advertising news, click here >>

4. MORRISON'S ALL-IN-ONE PASTY

Amidst talk of Amazon approaching UK retailer Morrisons with a takeover bit, the Northern retailer is focusing on the business at hand - Christmas. Inspired by the original Cornish pasty enjoyed by tin miners with savoury at one end and sweet fillings at the other; Morrisons has launched a pasty containing a full 3 course Christmas Dinner.  Start with Ardennes pâté, sweet apple chutney and Melba toast, follow it up with the main course of British turkey with sage and onion stuffing, potato, pigs in blankets, cranberries and a creamy sauce. To finish, it’s a traditional pudding with brandy sauce.  All in one pasty.  

5. HAPPY INSIDE - GUT HEALTH 2019

Digestive health is the number 1 food trend for 2019, according to New Nutrition Business. The category has been dominated by fiber and probiotic ingredients, but trends show that prebiotics and fermented foods are moving towards the spotlight. Wellness brands are now adding probiotic ingredients into not just dairy and cereals but snacking and soup. With more consumers learning about digestive health, they are seeking foods that support self-care and healthy immune systems. the segment is predicted to grow to $64 billion by 2022.  

6. TOP 13 RESTAURANTS IN THE US

Thrillist magazine has ranked its top US restaurants newly opened in 2018. These restaurants feature meals from Southeast Asian cooking in Minneapolis to Cambodian noodles in Oakland. Some of the Prime 13 included Passerotto, a Chicago based Korean restaurant that serves Korean comfort food with an Italian twist – like creating a combination of ragu and rice cakes. Another includes Renzo, a South Carolina-based Italian restaurant that creates, simple yet exceptional pizza and pasta - like their chorizo-stuffed dates pizza. Watch Best New Restaurants in action here >>  

7. COSTA CONTACTLESS CUP 

A first for fast casual, Costa has released a reusable coffee cup with a contactless chip that will make coffee runs quicker and more eco-friendly. Through Barclaycard’s bPay technology, these reusable ‘Clever Cups’ will reduce the number of takeaway cups used every day in the UK. Consumers can buy the cup for £15 and top up their account online or on the bPay app. This contributes to Costa’s pledge to recycle 500M takeaway cups by 2020. Watch how the contactless Clever Cup works >>   

8. DELIVEROO TAKES ON TIME-OUT?

Valued at $2bn earlier this year, Deliveroo held its first company conference in October, highlighting the importance of innovation in its next growth phase. Its latest move is to open a consumer food market in Hong Kong, offering 15 different dining options, operating from the same kitchen, for delivery or collection from the store front. PizzaExpress is one of its first partners in the initiative, who is testing a new pasta concept called “The Pasta Project”. Plans to add a second food site in Singapore next year will follow. 

9. TOP AUSSIE AND ASIAN QSRS

 Think you know all the leading global brands in QSR? Look further East to see some Australian and Asian QSRs that are notable for their fast-growing store count, original concepts and unique marketing campaigns. Haidilao, the Chinese hot pot chain, is expanding into the market with its robot restaurants. Grill’d, a burger chain that promotes their use of healthy ingredients such as grass-fed lamb and beef, aims to emphasize their sustainable business practices. They are improving their customer experience with their new SwingBy takeaway offering and membership programme. Cafe Amazon, rivalling Starbucks in store count, is serving wide ranges of coffee, tea, juice and smoothie products. Read more about these Asian-Pacific QSRs here >>