DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 34| 2019

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. SUBWAY SLIDES INTO SNACKING

This year is proving eventful as Subway continues to shake up its in-store experience and menu choices globally. Subway USA has just introduced a collection of Little Sliders on new slider rolls; Little Cheesesteak, Little Turkey, Italian Spice and Ham & Jack. Starting at $1.89 each, these bitesize sliders are adding a new snacking dimension to Subway’s bread-based offer. Innova Market Insights describes snacking as “the definitive occasion” as today’s consumers redefine what a snack is – from a biscuit, protein bar, piece of fruit to a sandwich, burger or sushi depending on the mood/occasion/time of day. Innova reported CAGR 10% in global food & drink launches with a snacking claim during 2013-18.

2. BRAZIL’S REBEL WHOPPER

Burger King is adding another plant-based option to its portfolio – the Rebel Whopper. Having previously partnered with Impossible Foods in the US, the burger chain has developed the Rebel Whopper with meat company Marfrig for the Brazil market. Arguably this is will be a tough crowd to please – Brazil is after all home of the churrasco and where meat consumption has almost doubled since 1990 - overtaking almost all Western countries in the process (UN/FAO 2013). Like most countries however there is a growing Flexitarian consumer base, so it makes an interesting case study to follow. 

3. PAPA JOHN’S NORDIC POP-UP 

Fresh after its Summer Bee Sting buzz, Papa John’s has made a departure from its usual marketing channels with a pop-up Swedish bakery in London’s hipster Notting Hill. Last week ‘Pappa Johan’s’ served Nordic speciality cinnamon scrolls to an unsuspecting public, promoting its new menu launch and enticing new consumers to enjoy the Papa John’s experience. In case you missed it – watch the Cinnamon Scroll clip here >> 

4. MCD SPICY BBQ CHICKEN

This autumn, McDonald’s is introducing a new spicy bbq chicken sandwich and chicken tenders to its menu for a limited time. The sandwich is on a sesame bun with onions, pickles, a buttermilk-crusted chicken filet and a smoky BBQ sauce. The tenders are a different take on their classic buttermilk chicken tenders with a new spicy BBQ glaze and a hint of jalapeno. The recent “chicken wars” involving Popeyes and Chick-fil-A this summer has fuelled consumers with all new chicken sandwich offerings, even causing Popeyes to sell out of theirs within two weeks. 

5. BACON DEBUTS AT BK SOUTH AFRICA

In response to growing consumer demand, Burger King South Africa has started serving bacon at select restaurants for the first time ever. This means almost half (44 stores) of its restaurants in the country will no longer have halal certification. The chain is ensuring various measures are in place to keep halal and non-halal food separate from source through to delivery at its restaurants. In another move, it has dropped the word ‘ham’ from its menu across all its South African stores to be sensitive to its Muslim consumer base, affecting 3 key lines. For example the ‘Hamburger King Jr on the kids menu is now a ‘Kids Burger’. McDonald’s SA remains 100% halal-certified. 

6. PRET'S NEW AUTUMN CARBS

Pret a Manger has revealed its Autumn menu featuring 24 new hot food items as well as the return of its Pumpkin Spice Latte. Highlights include a new range of 3 toasted olive oil and rosemary focaccias such Brie & Bacon, Salt Beef & Pickle and a new Toastie and Gluten Free Soup Bread.  The new menu also includes a new selection of egg white omelettes such as the Spicy & Red Pepper Chorizo along with 9 new soup recipes and vegan options. Following a fairly veg-centric Summer launch, it seems Pret is injecting some more hearty meat options onto its menu for the cold weather ahead. 

7. A TOAST TO BURGER KING FRANCE

Burger King France has a limited-edition range of King Toasts on sale until 1st October. There are 3 choices; the ‘Toast Original’ comes with flame grilled beef, slices of bacon, melted cheese and peppery sauce; the ‘Toast Chicken and Bacon’ and the ‘Toast Creamy mustard’, with a creamy mustard sauce, beef, bacon and cheese.  Burger King Canada has a similar King toast range but with a sourdough bun instead.  Also on the Canadian menu is the limited edition ‘Pretzel Bacon King’ which has a Pretzel for the Bun. 

8. TACO BELL’S INCLUSIVE APPROACH 

Taco Bell is yet to introduce meat-alternatives but in the US it has introduced its “first-ever dedicated in-store vegetarian menu board”. It emphasises that its meat-free options have been available to be enjoyed by all consumers for years, and as well as the 4 items on the vegetarian menus, 9 other vegetarian items are integrated through the larger menu making 36 certified vegetarian ingredients in all, of which 26 are vegan. In other news, Aldi has expanded its more specific ‘I Am Vegan’ range with 3 new £1.99 ready meals - Red Pepper and Mango Curry, Thai Yellow Curry And Smoky Jackfruit Chilli. 

9. PAPA-DUM INSPIRED EATING

New QSR chain Papa-Dum has Himalayan-sized ambitions for the UK where it hopes to become “the McDonald’s of Indian food”. Given the dynamic growth of food-to-go and success of other ethnic food in contemporary formats such as Yo Sushi, Itsu, Wasabi, and not forgetting restaurant chain Dishoom – there is exciting potential for this mainstream cuisine. Papa-Dum aims to deliver the most authentic Indian food in a convenient, accessible and nutritious way. This new modern style eatery will offer a range of products from breakfast, hot curries to cooling Indian-inspired desserts and chai drinks. One to watch. 

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