DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 18| 2020
GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS.
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1. CRAVINGS FOR COMFORT FOODS
Foodservice executives expect many consumers to flock to familiar favourites as restaurants begin to reopen. Data from retailers has already shown a jump in purchases of classic comfort foods from well-established brands. When restrictions are lifted, consumers will seek normalcy and convenience with providers they trust. Foodservice providers are gradually preparing to rebuild sales with an increase in contactless and takeaway purchases.
2. ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Shake Shack is introducing their ‘Shack Track’ experience to help increase custom during these challenging times. Consumers can order online or through the app, with collection available via walk-up and drive-thru windows. For week ending April 29, digital sales accounted for 84% of total sales with company plans to increase hourly wages by 10% through June. Taco Bell is also putting customer safety first with restaurants open for drive-thru and delivery. Management decisions are based on international trends and learnings from China as the chain prioritises a safe environment for staff and customers.
3. MCDONALD'S COMEBACK MOVES
McDonald's is set to reopen 15 UK restaurants for delivery come May 13th with strict measures to ensure staff and customer safety. Working with various governments and trade bodies, testing has already been carried out behind closed doors to ensure confidence across in the new safety measures, including employee temperature checks, Perspex screens and a limited menu. All employees are to update their training on hygiene and sanitation along with all newly implemented protocols. Breakfast, which made up 25% of the brand’s sales pre-pandemic, has fallen as McDonald’s reports that many consumers now choose to make breakfast at home. The chain plans an aggressive recovery phase to boost that part of its business again.
4. STARBUCKS MOVE ONTO PHASE 2
Starbucks plan to reopen 85% of their locations throughout the U.S. this week. The company is moving on from its “contain and mitigate” phase, which offered drive-thru locations in operation only, to the next “monitor and adapt” phase. This phase will allow cafes to resume business on a to-go basis. Consumers will be able to purchase and collect purchases from the door or at counters if enough space is available. Dine in options will still be on hold until further restrictions are lifted, however. The company plans to adapt their services by region and has introduced temperature checks and PPE gear for employees, as well as additional cafe cleaning procedures.
5. CONTENT GEN Z WANT TO SEE
Younger generations are looking for excitement and entertainment while being stuck at home. Without their regular social activities to attend, levels of boredom are 20% higher amongst Gen Z than adults aged 25 and older, according to survey results by Magid. 42% of Gen Z enjoy content described as “fun”, as opposed to romantic or scary. Campaigns that incorporate humour and show how companies are helping others during this time are important characteristics for this consumer group. Worthwhile to keep in mind for any family-friendly brands looking to engage with a younger audience.
6. RESERVE A SEAT AT THE KING’S TABLE
Burger King Italy is testing an app for ordering food and booking a table in its Italian stores, looking to promote confidence and maximum safety measures, after more than two months of lock down. The brand services approximately 11 million people globally each day across around 25,000 restaurants and is keen to mitigate any fears of contagion for customers looking for a quick bite. The app will be tested in 3 of its Milan restaurants, with expected opening dates early June. If successful, the app could then be rolled out across other regions and countries.
7. BUFFALO GRILL TO PARTIALLY REOPEN
Buffalo Grill in France has announced plans to partially reopen 200 of its 360 stores on May 11th for click and collect, takeout and delivery in partnership with Uber Eats. The brand performed various testing of new social distancing guidelines set out by the French government in April. Buffalo Grill is the top table service chain in France, with over 31 million customers annually and €600 million in turnover. Buffalo Grill is already planning the next phase of re-opening plans to welcome guests back into their restaurants.
8. PREFERENCES POST-LOCKDOWN
Restaurants and foodservice outlets continue to plan ahead for how to operationally run their businesses, post COVID-19 lockdown. A survey revealed that more than 90% of consumers still favour food being served at tables, with a slim 5% of those opting for contactless or self-service. In the future, 70% of people expect social distancing between tables, 50% envisage stricter booking times with staggered arrivals, with 35% expecting to see more hand sanitiser dispensers. Consumer confidence may currently be reduced, but a promising 75% of consumers expect their average spend to return to pre-lockdown levels.
9. CIRCLE K NOW DELIVERS
Circle K, convenience retailer with over 400 locations across Ireland, has announced a new free grocery home delivery service amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The new service will become the first fuel and convenience retailer in Ireland to launch a home delivery service of its kind. The service was initially launched in Dublin last week and has now been extended to all its fuel and convenience retail outlets. Customers can place orders for in-store products such as grocery essentials, confectionary, hygiene products and phone credit, seven days a week for next day home delivery.
At Dawn Farms we offer a full product solution for cooked, dried and fermented meat ingredients across pizza, sandwich and prepared meal sectors. We are proud to be the preferred supplier to the world's leading food brands and are considered to be the industry leaders in food safety, sustainability and insight-led product innovation. We put the customer at the heart of everything we do, which is why for your convenience all our products are fully cooked and ready-to-eat.
Visit our website to discover the ingredients that set us apart.
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