DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 27| 2020

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. EAT OUT TO HELP OUT

The UK government this week launched a new initiative to jumpstart the food service industry, the ‘Eat Out to Help Out’ scheme. The scheme has promised to foot 50% of the cost of eating out, up to the value of £10 between Monday and Wednesday until September. The aim is to stimulate rehiring of staff and to boost the weakened economy. The government has also reduced VAT from 20% to 5% for restaurant meals and non-alcoholic beverages for the remainder of the year. The government believes these measures are necessary for the UK’s financial recovery, with the hospitality sector employing over 2.4 million people, totalling 8% of the UK’s workforce.  

2. DOMINO'S BBQ SEASON

It is officially BBQ season at Domino’s Germany, and for a limited time you can try three new BBQ flavoured pizzas, which include an option for vegans as well as meat and chicken lovers. The range features a ‘Vegan BBQ’, ‘Tropical Chicken BBQ’ and ‘Mixed Grill BBQ’. The ‘Vegan BBQ’ is made with plant-based chicken-style pieces, bell peppers, red onions and sweetcorn. The ‘Tropical BBQ’ comes with chicken breast, pineapple, bell peppers and tropical BBQ sauce. And for meat lovers, the ‘Mixed Grill BBQ’ is topped with steak strips, prosciutto, bacon, bell peppers and smoky BBQ Sauce. 

3. REAL DEALS AT SUBWAY

More than 2,000 Subway stores have reopened, each offering a full menu in-store or for takeaway via the Subway app or delivery partners, Just Eat, Uber Eats or Deliveroo. In addition, the brand has introduced their ‘Real Deal’ saver menu featuring four classic subs: Meat Feast, Ham and Veggie Delite and the new Cheesy Pepperoni Sub. Guests can upgrade their sub by adding hash browns or streaky bacon slices. The Real Deal also includes Subway’s snack items such as cheesy garlic bread, toasted bites, meatballs, nachos and hash browns for just 99p each.  

4. DINING IN AT PIZZA HUT & KFC

KFC has started inviting customers to enjoy their meals inside again across more than 100 locations throughout the UK. The limited menu remains in place with reduced opening hours, but the brand is excited to be welcoming fans “home”. New hygiene measures are in place to keep both employees and consumers safe during this phase. Pizza Hut has also taken steps to reopen to their loyal customers, launching what they call a ‘Bluffet’, which brings food and drinks straight to diner’s table, a safer version of the Unlimited Lunchtime Buffet. 

5. TRAVEL WITH BURGER KING

As part of Burger King's new "World Gourmet" menu in Sweden, Swedish passport holders can get their passport stamped in exchange for a free burger. Those wishing to avail must receive five stamps, which can be redeemed for a burger from the new World Gourmet range, which includes burgers inspired by France and Argentina. This initiative comes in response to many countries closing their borders, but Burger King urges consumers to keep in mind that border protection agencies will not accept the Burger King stamp as a legitimate country stamp next time they go to travel.

6. WINNING BACK BREAKFAST 

Pre-pandemic, breakfast was a growing segment for quick service restaurants. With more consumers working remotely, they have grown used to making their own breakfast sandwiches and coffees at home. Now in the recovery phase, brands such as McDonald’s see potential in winning back morning sales. This is achievable through limited menus, extending availability to later in the day and convenience technology.  

7. FRENCH RETURN TO QSR'S

June saw a significant improvement for quick service restaurants in France, with many consumers eager to venture out after locations reopened. Most QSRs remained partially open during the lockdown through delivery and takeout options and now provide a quick and convenient respite to home-cooked meals. The store director of Del Arte, French QSR chain, reports the average spend per consumer is also greater due to pent-up demand, especially on indulgent items such as drinks and desserts.  

8. TACO BELL'S FIRE LOYALTY PROGRAM

Taco Bell’s loyalty programme, originally launched in 2014, has recently been upgraded due to higher levels of usage for off-premise orders. Fans can earn 10 points for every $1 spent and eventually earn free items when they reach 250 points, such as the Crunchy Taco, Bean Burrito or Baja Blast. Superfans that spend $200 or more a year at Taco Bell advance to the ‘Fire’ tier and earn even more points per dollar spent. The loyalty programme will help the brand learn more about their consumers and track spending habits.  

9. PAPA JOHN'S SPICY COLLECTION

Following the success of Papa John’s Bee Sting pizza in 2019, the pizza chain is ramping up the heat with its limited-edition Spicy collection, featuring five devilishly spicy pizzas. The new collection features the ‘Chilli Freak’, with sliced bell peppers, green chilli peppers and jalapeños, ‘American Hottest’ with yellow Amarillo chilli sauce and topped with mozzarella, pepperoni and fiery jalapeño peppers and the much-loved ‘Bee Sting’ with honey-drizzled pepperoni and fresh green chilli. For flexitarian consumers, the ‘Vegan Stinger’ comes loaded with jackfruit ‘pepperoni’ and fresh green chillies and a vegan version of the ‘Chilli Freak’ offers even more spice.  

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