DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 22 | 2018

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. JAB’S FOODSERVICE EMPIRE GROWS

After rumours of a sale to Filipino chain Jollibees, this week British-based sandwich chain Pret A Manger announced JAB will purchase its 530 stores at an estimated £1.5bn, making it the majority stakeholder. Established in 1986 and generating £879m in revenue, Pret operates in the UK, US, Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, China, France, Denmark, the Netherlands and is soon to open in Germany. Luxembourg-based JAB is renowned for its investment in premium consumer brands, such as Panera, Krispy Kreme, Espresso House as well being a major player in global coffee (Keurig, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Peet’s). Recently in the Top 9 we covered Nestle’s partnership with Starbucks, find out more here>>   

2. NATIONAL DONUT DAY MASH-UPS

It’s National Donut Day, and to celebrate, Tim Hortons Canada is embracing sweet and savoury trends with its Honey Dip Donut Breakfast Sandwich, available for one morning only. The limited-edition mash-up claims to balance “the delicate sweetness with the smoky, savoury flavours of the classic breakfast sandwich”. Anyone who posts a selfie with their limited-edition donut on social media will be entered in to a draw to win free Tim Horton’s donuts for a year. Meanwhile, Burger King is offering its limited-edition Whopper Donut in 5 US locations; a traditional Whopper with a hole cut into the middle, as well as a ‘free’ mini slider – watch the clip here>>

3. AI TAKEOVER  

Robots in motion. Four MIT engineering graduates have embraced the robot by creating Spyce, a budget-friendly fast casual restaurant that has a robotized kitchen – watch the video here>> Now opened in Boston, the concept is a combination of human and digital interaction. Guests are greeted by a ‘human’ who guides them to a row of touchscreen kiosks. At the kiosks, customers can choose from 7 customisable options of Mediterranean and Asian salad and grain bowls, each priced at $7.50. Once an order has been placed, the robotic kitchen sets about preparing it with the final touches made by a ‘human garnish manager’.

4. DOMINO'S AMERICAN LEGENDS

Domino’s Spain has launched a new range of 3 ‘sensory-packed’ pizzas featuring authentic American recipes that meet the growing international demand for regional American BBQ flavours. The American Legends range features the Texas BBQ Crispy (beef, grilled chicken, crispy bacon, Texan BBQ sauce), Kansas Pulled Beef (with bacon and onion) and Buffalo Chicken (spicy buffalo chicken, caramelised onions and crispy bacon), all with BBQ sauce and a crispy cheddar crust. Watch the American Legends clip here>>

5. KFC PUTS HEALTH ON THE MENU

As the UK government considers making calorie counts on menus compulsory, as it is in the USA, KFC UK has been proactive, pledging to make its menu healthier and eliminate 20% of calories ‘per serving’ by 2025. To achieve this, it’s planning a wider choice of meals under 600 calories and healthier sides as well as trialling a vegetarian option this year. All of this without tinkering with the Colonel’s secret recipe of 11 herbs and spices in its Original Recipe chicken. Meanwhile in France, MEPs voted against some mandatory moves – such as introducing Nutri-score (colour coded labelling), a ban on advertising unhealthy food to children – in favour of greater education.

6. PIZZA HUT ‘FAST CASUAL’ DELIVERY 

Pizza Hut Delivery is launching a new fast casual format, with 9 new stores planned to open across the UK and all 400 stores to be revamped in due course. To see what plans are afoot, check out the flagship store in Luton, whose new contemporary design is inspired by its American roots. Intended to “enhance the customer experience”, customers can now choose whether they want to eat it on site in the limited seating, take it away or have it delivered to their home. Another new aspect will be the open plan kitchens meaning customers can now watch their pizza being freshly prepared as soon as they’ve placed their order. 

7. PREMIUM DRIVING FROZEN COMEBACK

Value sales in the UK frozen food sector grew by 6% last year to £6bn, the result of rising prices (4%), more consumers shopping the aisle and branching out into new categories. Nevertheless, it’s the 5 stalwarts which are fuelling frozen’s growth. Protein (red meat, poultry, veg), ready meals and ice cream categories have managed to revise consumer perceptions. Some premium winners have been Iceland’s Hungry Heroes, Birds Eye’s Inspiration Burgers and its range of adult-oriented flavours such as Katsu Curry, Mexican Nacho Crumb and Soy, Ginger & Garlic chicken chargrills. Campaigns like Iceland’s ‘The Power of Frozen’ and Sainsbury’s ‘Love Your Freezer’ have also featured in the sector’s turnaround.

8. MCDONALD’S CATERING DEBUT

Cooking breakfast for a crowd? McDonald’s is exploring a new route to market – group catering. Its new initiative has debuted in Orlando, Florida, offering a range of ‘breakfast bundles’ designed specifically for a group of 6, 12 or 18. Orders can be placed through UberEATS and are delivered through the McDelivery service. The breakfast bundles include breakfast sandwiches, homestyle breakfast, snacks, sides and sweet treats and feature some of McDonald’s regular items like the Egg McMuffin, Sausage McMuffin and hash browns. Beverages also feature in the bundles such as McCafé coffee tote, or a half-gallon of orange juice.

9. ARBY’S MARKET FRESH SANDWICHES

Cooling things down for the summer months, Arby’s has brought back its limited-edition Market Fresh sandwiches. In a seasonal shift away from Arby’s regular hot sandwiches, the resurrected range features four deli-style “feelgood” sandwiches on honey wheat bread. These include the Pecan Chicken Salad Sandwich (includes slow-roasted chicken breast, diced apples, red grapes, pecans, celery), the Turkey Avocado Club Sandwich (includes oven-roasted turkey, pepper bacon, zesty avocado spread), the Ultimate BLT Sandwich (includes 8 slices of pepper bacon) & the Triple Decker Sandwich (includes oven-roasted turkey breast, pit-smoked ham, roast beef, pepper bacon, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, spicy brown mustard).

The Buzz | Big Stories In May  

Here are the articles which received the most attention from you, the readers, last month in May.