DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 47| 2019

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. HOW TO WIN IN FOODSERVICE 

The NPD Group has identified trends for 2020 to shake up the UK’s £57b foodservice industry, with increased sustainability from foodservice operators a notable theme. Analysts reported that consumers expect improvements across waste, packaging, food delivery and carbon emissions, ensuring operations are as green as possible. A “successful” operator will offer food for everyone – from meat eaters to flexitarians, vegetarians to vegans, providing a range of great meat choices complemented by great tasting plant-based options. Foodservice operators must provide ultra-convenience and engaging experiences especially since 30% of all foodservice visits are families. Restaurants such as Leon, Pho, Giraffe and Wagamama have introduced kids’ dishes that offer a modern twist on classics featuring new ingredients or styles. Read how well-executed concepts can thrive in a fun and informal atmosphere >> 

2. SUSTAINABILITY STRATEGY 

Musgrave is setting new sustainable targets and making changes quickly to tackle one of the biggest environmental concerns: eliminating plastic usage. Doing good is good business and Irish consumers are especially environmentally aware, with 9 out of 10 actively recycling plastic packaging. Musgrave’s “Taking Care of The World” sustainability strategy consists of 25 commitments to tackle climate change, food waste and plastic pollution before it’s too late. The commitments include: reducing the carbon intensity of its operations across Ireland by 70% by 2025, making 100% of its own brand, operating all Musgrave facilities with 100% green electricity and sending zero recoverable waste to landfill. Other trends expected in the Irish grocery market are Origin & Provenance and Health & Wellness; read more Nielsen discoveries here >>  

3. GROWTH SPURT FOR PAUL 

French bakery chain, PAUL, is set on opening at least five company-owned stores across the UK in 2020. The brand wants to ramp up expansion for its current portfolio of 37 restaurants in the UK, with ambition to onboard various franchisees over the coming years as well. The diversification of store formats will be a key growth driver in looking at locations outside of London to include a PAUL café. Other key developments include new products and innovative flavours to meet consumer demands on ease of access, quality ingredients and healthy food. Read more about PAUL’s plans for expansion here >> ​

4. GLOBAL 2019 RESTAURANT TRENDS 

Global online restaurant reservation provider, Opentable, seated 10 billion diners this year using their convenient software. Their end-of-year report has revealed some interesting food dining trends and in retrospect, cauliflower crust pizza mentions soaring by 487% and jackfruit, typically a pulled pork substitute being mentioned 148% more since 2017. Diners indulge in global cuisines with Asian-inspired pot stickers/dumplings made of pork, shrimp or vegetables remaining popular and Mexican-inspired queso being added to burgers, nachos and various other dishes.  

5.  INSTA-FRIENDLY CHRISTMAS DINNER 

New research from American Express Shop Small has shown that more than half of millennials are planning to buy colourful foods this Christmas to make their dinner look more appealing on social media. According to the research, 78% of UK residents share pictures of their Christmas dinner on social each year, with millennials leading the charge at 86%. Going against the grain, almost half of millennials say they would remove traditional foods to this Christmas ensuring their dinner looks more appealing and replace with more adventurous and unique-looking quality food with sweet potato, purple vegetables and jackfruit high on the list. 

6. GERMAN CHRISTMAS  

Orderbird, a provider of iPad cash register systems for the catering industry, published a study on the way Germans eat during the Christmas season. Restaurant orders were examined from 26th November to 23rd December to capture the holiday spending on food and drink. Orderbird discovered that 32% of all bills are paid by card with an average of €238 spent on a meal. 37% of sales are generated during the lead up to Christmas are from beverages. Find out more about German Christmas orders here >> 

7. FLEXING WITH THE TIMES  

Aldi and McDonald’s have taken a fresh look at their plant-based ranges. Aldi, keen to cast the net a little wider than its initial “I am Vegan” range, refreshed its branding to the new ‘Plant Menu’ which will offer consumers a range of 20 different products. The brand refresh looks to appeal to Flexitarians, as well as vegan and vegetarian consumers. Meanwhile, McDonald’s launched their new veggie dippers meal, which includes vegan nuggets made with rice, red peppers, tomato pesto and split peas, fried in breadcrumbs and served with fries and a soft drink. They will be fried separately from products containing meat and are due to launch on January 2nd in the UK, ideal for those following the ‘Veganuary’ trend in 2020.  

8. KFC’S LOADED FESTIVE BURGER 

This Christmas season, KFC is offering a limited time loaded festive burger. Although it is more of a chicken sandwich than burger, it is made with their original chicken fillet, hash brown, cheese, stuffing-flavoured mayo and cranberry dressing. The festive burger has been said to resemble an all-in-one Christmas meal and is only available in UK locations. Meanwhile, in New York, KFC has been redesigned to fit the brand’s Southern hospitality but East Coast hustle. The newly opened restaurant offers bar seating for solo diners and a designated pick-up area for mobile and to-go orders.  

9. FIVE GUYS SERVE BREAKFAST

Five Guys are launching their breakfast menu at selected restaurants around the UK. The famous American burger chain will be revealing the new menu along with the opening of their 100th UK store in St Paul’s in London. The breakfast menu will be served until 10:30 daily and will include four breakfast sandwiches featuring crispy apple-wood smoked bacon, two free-range eggs and melted American cheese. Consumers can also get hand cut fries with anything from the breakfast menu. The brand is launching its first location in Singapore, its second location in Asia to date. After being announced in June, the new restaurant is set to open in Plaza Singapura before Christmas.  

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