DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 20 . 2017GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS.Did you know that you can translate the Top 9 into any language by viewing it in Google Chrome, simply right-click the page and select ‘Translate’. If you don’t currently use Google Chrome as your web browser click here to download. 1. GLOBAL HORIZONSCanadian café chain Tim Hortons is set to open its first restaurant on Argyle St, Glasgow on June 2nd. The company plans to cash in on the UK’s lucrative coffee shop market, with a planned nationwide expansion over the next 12 months. As a celebration the first 100 guests will be offered a free breakfast, whilst the first 10 guests will receive a box of fifty ‘Timbits’ -the restaurants’ mini doughnut bites - every month for a year. Also expanding its global reach is Taco Bell who has just announced at least 100 new locations each in China, Brazil, Canada and India during the next 5 years. 2. NRA HOT TRENDSWhat were the latest innovations from the NRA this year? Breads and ‘free from’ featured strongly (interesting baguette-style bagel and check out chickpea-based fabanaise). There was also roast porchetta (contact us to find out more about this popular Italian street food) and blood orange is a re-occurring trend. The next hot protein may be duck with multiple applications feasible. According to the NRA, chefs are reimagining menu staples with lamb, wild boar and more. Downsized portions is one to watch with Firehouse Subs claiming success with its smaller-sized subs and the growing popularity of small plates across different cuisines (eg Crispy Cuban Rolls, miniature pizzas). 3. DREAM BIG, FERNANDFrance’s take on the gourmet burger, the Big Fernand with 22 outlets and sales of €26mn in 2016, has been bought by British investment fund BlueGem. With one site already in London, the UK is said to be a key priority for the growing chain which was established in Paris in 2012. New locations across France are also planned. One new destination to look out for is its first ‘transport location’ at Gare de Lyon in partnership with SSP, with an airport site planned by the end of 2017. 4. SNACKING FOR MILLENIALSLast week we attended a Millennial and Gen Z-themed seminar by FDIN. Among a number of thought provoking presentations was one by agency Watch Me Think who taps into the ‘show me don’t tell me’ ethos increasingly required to engage with today’s young consumer with short attention spans. One conclusion was that under-35s do aspire to achieving 3 square meals a day but often don’t manage it, therefore snacking supplements their diet but with a purpose in mind rather than just filling a hunger gap. Snacking, as a result, has become healthier and more controlled – watch the Millennial video clip here >> 5. WHEN BURGER MET PIZZA...Two interesting new launches in the US. Papa John’s has launched a new burger flavoured pizza - the Bacon Cheddar Burger Pizza. It comes topped with beef, hickory-smoked bacon, dill pickle slices, Roma tomatoes, Wisconsin Cheddar and mozzarella, with a zesty burger sauce base. Not to be outdone, Arby’s has launched a pizza-flavoured burger. The limited-edition Pizza Slider features Genoa salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese and roasted garlic marinara on a soft slider bun. 6. MOTORWAY MELTDOWNTargeting the mobile consumer is seen as a key growth area for foodservice retailers - while travel operators are keen to increase ‘dwell time’ and capture higher spend in what are traditionally ‘quick stop’ channels. PizzaExpress has announced its entry into the motorway services market, with a new 88 seat ‘full menu’ restaurant due to open with partner Welcome Break on the M40 in Oxford in October, rising to potentially 10-18 outlets nationwide. Other brands in Welcome Break’s portfolio include Papa John’s and Ed’s Easy Diner as well as a number of leading high street QSR brands such as Subway and Pret 7. ONE STOP SHOPStaying with non-traditional foodservice channels, 1 in 5 retail and leisure units now offer cafés or restaurants with 3,000 further openings reportedly planned over the next 2 years. Property agent Cushman & Wakefield highlights coffee shops and pizza takeaways as featuring strongly among new openings. American-inspired outlets such as Five Guys and Red’s True Barbecue have seen been leading the charge (increase of 395 units since 2014), with Japanese cuisine also seeing growth of 192 units. These have come at the expense of more traditional cuisines, such as Indian & Chinese restaurants. 8. GLOBAL MENU INFLUENCESThis week sees the return of Hard Rock Café’s World Burger Tour, incorporating different cuisines from around the world (available 1st May- 25th June). Featured on the menu this year is the Turkish-themed Bosphorus burger; a southern-style Jambalaya burger inspired by Louisiana; and a Kimchi Burger influenced by South Korean cuisine. Also inspired by Asia, Sainsbury's launched 3 light and fluffy Asian Buns as part of its refreshed 'On the Go' range (Char Sui Pork, Bulgogi Beef, Honey & Soy Chicken) which also includes new protein snacking pots eg Peppered Beef and Chicken Tikka slices. 9. THAT FRIDAY FEELINGMuscleFood.com has developed a new range of calorie-controlled pizzas under 400 calories including for example Chicken Tikka and Goats Cheese options. They have replaced the traditional dough in favour of a pea-protein fortified substitute, which also means it’s gluten free. Another retail launch comes from TGI Fridays whose new range of slow cooked meats is soon to be available in the UK (Morrisons), Australia, Taiwan and South Australia in a new licensing push. We welcome feedback and would love to know how we can improve the Top 9 experience for you - tell us your thoughts by emailing Julie Sloan | JSloan@dawnfarms.ie The above information has been taken from sources we believe to be reliable and trustworthy. However the accurateness and completeness thereof are not guaranteed and therefore should not be relied upon as such. Dawn Farms does not endorse or approve the content of any information from third party sites nor will it have any liability in connection with any third party site (including but not limited to liability arising out of any allegation that the content of or information on any third party site infringes any law or the rights of any person or entity). |