DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 07| 2019

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1.  PIZZA HUT’S DIP N’ CRUNCH 

Pizza Hut Delivery has introduced a limited-edition dipping bar with different sauces and toppings. It comes in two flavour combinations: BBQ flame-grilled dip with a crispy fried onion crunch, and garlic & herb dip with a garlic & herb crumb. This comes in response to knowing consumers love to dip their pizza, garlic bread and chicken strips and the additional crunch takes the dipping experience to the next level. Customers can upgrade any meal with the Dip n’ Crunch dipping bar for the next few weeks.  

2. NANDO’S RAISES TEMP AT HOME 

Nando’s ‘hottest sauce’ Peri Peri Vusa is now available at select Tesco stores adding to its current range available for home-cooking. The brand’s popular spicy sauce consists of a combination of African Bird’s Eye chilli, lemon and garlic. This offering ties into a 2019 top trend of consumers seeking global exotic flavours at home as well as at restaurants. Families are encouraging children to experiment with food. Birmingham locals can look out for a Nando’s Pop-up kart giving away free food today (Fri 15th) in celebration of its 9th store opening in the city next week. 

3. DOMINO’S SPANISH DOUBLE ACT 

Domino’s promised innovation on the menu in 2019, and quickly following its BBQ Cheeseburger launch is its new Catalan Chicken and Chorizo – watch the clip here >> In cold February the prospect of a colourful Mediterranean-inspired pizza, Catalan Chicken and Chorizo is tempting.  The new pizza is made with a double portion of Catalan-style pulled chicken, chorizo, onions, green & red peppers topped with a drizzle of sour cream and paprika sauce.  

4. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE?

Is it too early for an April Fools?  For National Pizza Day Pizza Hut teamed up with KFC to announce a 'Gravy Supreme’ pizza on Facebook, topped with KFC original recipe chicken bites and the famous KFC gravy all on a classic Pizza Hut base. Another launch we’re not sure exists is KFC France’s new Beef Bucket (beef meatballs). However, the Colonel Grilled Cheese is definitely on the menu in France - a toasted sandwich like no other (breaded chicken fillet, toast, French mozzarella, melted cheddar Cheese and caramelised onions). KFC promised more activity from the Colonel – also note the Call the Colonel drive through ‘click and collect’ initiative. 

5. HOT & HEALTHY FTG IN 2019

MCA HIM reports a resilient food-to go market in the UK – set to grow by 3% in 2019 to reach £21.2bn. It expects the market to recover slightly in the second half of 2019 (post-Brexit) and to experience continued growth as the most dynamic segment of the eating out market. Representing almost a quarter of all spending out of home, FTG has never been more widely accessible and available. Physical expansion, new formats and increased opening hours have continued in this intensely competitive marketplace. FTG benefits from underlying volume growth of c.1-2% in overall terms, fuelled by increased choice of hot food, breakfast, and healthy options.

6. HANS IN GROWTH 

Popular German burger chain Hans im Glück recently reported sales of €120 million in 2018, an increase of 17% yoy. New restaurants throughout Germany are the main drivers of sales growth; after 14 new openings last year bringing its total store count to 64, it is planning on opening a further 29 restaurants in 2019. Internationally the chain opened three new locations in Singapore and one in Switzerland. Hans im Glück has also just launched its new insect burger "The day after tomorrow" (Ubermorgen) featuring Buffalo worms, soybeans and eggs. 

7. WASABI RETAIL SMARTS

To celebrate the launch of Asian fast food chain Wasabi’s Home Bento range in Sainsbury’s they are giving customers a chance to win a trip to Japan.  Each of five new ready meals (Chicken Katsu Curry, Thai Green Curry, Sweet Chilli Chicken, Tofu Curry and Chicken Katsu Yakisoba) features a unique code that can be scanned on a smartphone and used as an entry to the competition. This technology gives Wasabi another way to interact with customers by turning their packaging into a new channel of engagement and also gives Wasabi valuable insights on consumer buying habits.  

8. WAYBACK BURGERS EXPANSION 

Fast casual burger chain Wayback Burgers has global expansion in its sights following a significant growth spurt in 2018. It added 18 new worldwide locations in 2018 including the Netherlands, representing 14% system growth. By the end of 2019, Wayback Burgers expects to have 166 active franchise locations operating in 30 US states and 7 total countries. The ambitious chain has committed to open 500 new locations in the US, Europe, Middle East and Africa in a major franchise development push for 2019.

9. MEXICAN STREET FOOD

While Tesco recently hit the headlines with news of deli counter closures, the in-store theatre continues at Sainsbury’s who continues its push into the foodservice market with the trial of a Mexican concept El Luchador in its Balham, London branch. Replacing its previous Zizzi pizza concept, El Luchador offers what sounds like an adventurous Mexican menu (£4.95-7.95 for hot main meals) with customisable tacos (fillings such as jackfruit chilli with smoky chilli sauce, Mexican cowboy stew, picadillo, ceviche aguachile and Mexican bean and sweet potatoes with quinoa). There are also prepared salads and soups, sides such as chicharróns, pico de gallo, corn on the cob, and fresh guacamole with tortilla chips.