DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 37| 2019

GLOBAL UPDATE ON CONSUMER, MARKET AND MENU INSIGHTS. 

1. GET INSPIRED FOR SUMMER 2020

While political, economic and environmental headlines dominated during the summer of 2019; the Women’s World Cup, July heatwave and general holiday frame of mind also gave us reason to celebrate. Food and drink brands took to the shelves with summer food hacks to inspire us to have spontaneous get-togethers, stay cool, eat fresh and indulge. We’ve captured our European highlights from retail and foodservice summer ranges – click here to Get Into The Spirit of Summer 2019 and get in touch to find out how we can inspire you for Summer 2020 >>

2. PIZZA HUT EMBRACES FAST CASUAL

Pizza Hut Delivery UK has 400 company-run Delivery and Express stores and a franchise network of more than 60 franchise partners. A new fast casual design inspired by its American roots being rolled out nationwide is intended to enhance the overall customer experience and accelerate the company’s growth across Europe in line with its mission to be the “Easiest, Fastest, Tastiest”. PHD is planning a further £1m investment in the coming months to convert the delivery estate to the 2 different store concepts - Fast Casual Express and Fast Casual Delivery Hut. Customers can now choose between delivery, carry-out or express eat-in (ready in 5 minutes from the new open kitchen) options.  

3. CHILL OUT WITH CHICAGO TOWN

Frozen pizza brand Chicago Town is taking on the chilled sector with its new Stonebaked Deli Crust range targeting the gap for authentic American-style pizzas as opposed to traditional Italian. The 3 choices in the new range are: ‘Straight up Salami’ topped with calabrese salami, ‘Chicago Hot’ featuring Chorizo and Roquito chilli peppers, and ‘Cheeeese-Fest’ (mozzarella, mature cheddar, Emmental, Monterey Jack). The UK retail chilled stonebaked market is worth an estimated £186mn (Kantar, Nov 2018).  By tapping into the chilled sector, they hope to reach new customers that may not have tried Chicago Town pizzas before.  

4. PREMIUM & PILED HIGH PIZZAS 

Staying with retail, own-label brands in Waitrose and Co-op are also innovating in the chilled pizza aisle. As part of its own-label revamp, Waitrose’ new No. 1 premium pizzas include wood-fired 48-hour sourdough pizzas topped with Limited Edition N’duja & Burrata and Mushroom & Truffle. The Co-op has launched a new range of New York-style Piled High Pizzas range inspired by the Long Island ‘grandma pie’ style, a rectangular shape, deep layers of toppings and no crust. Launching this week, the range features 4 variants: Hot Honey Pepperoni, Manhattan Five Cheese, Philly Cheese Steak and Spicy Buffalo Chicken. 

5. QSRS GLOBAL EXPANSION

Burger King has reached a franchise agreement with Tallink, an Estonian shipping company, to open outlets across Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania by June 2020. As part of the development agreement, each restaurant opened by Tallink Grupp will hold the licence for 20 years. In other QSR expansion news, Taco Bell plans to open 100 new restaurants across Australia and New Zealand within the next 5 years. Consumer interest in Mexican food has grown exponentially with the brand’s Brisbane’s locations among the highest performing in the world. While the ANZ region has been the main focus of growth for Taco Bell lately, India and Thailand have also show great potential for future international expansion.  

6. DOMINO'S GERMAN INNOVATION HUB

Domino’s Germany has opened its 40th store in Hamburg. The new concept store has over 60 indoor and outdoor seating areas for guests and will be used as a trial store for its German menu innovation including quarterly promotions. Internationally, Domino’s has over 16,000 stores with half its revenue generated through online ordering platforms. In Germany, its 2018 turnover was €220 million (Foodservice Top 100 ranking). Earlier this year Domino’s Pizza Group expressed ‘growing pains’ internationally but highlighted Germany and Iceland as profitable markets for the brand.  

7. MAGICAL BAGEL INNOVATION 

French fast ‘good’ chain Pommes De Pain has launched a warming new limited edition bagel for autumn. The Bagel Chipotle features roast chicken, beechwood smoked bacon, caramelised onion in a cheddar topped bagel. This is one of 3 promotions available until end of November, and to get the offer customers need to present the QR code, part of the chain’s digital strategy. Pommes de Pain is known for its seasonal promotions, earlier this year launching a ‘Le New Yorkais’ sandwich featuring Beef Pastrami, tomato confit, pickled onions and rocket.  

8. REIMAGINING THE CHINESE TAKEAWAY

In the rapidly exploding world of ethnic food takeaways, the traditional westernised Chinese outlet can seem tired and out of touch. Not so with this Chinese Box Club in the Netherlands whose owners worked with designers to create a distinctive identity in this crowded marketplace. Box refers to the box customers receive their order in while the window design featuring a rice pattern in motion, refers to explosive elements from boxing culture, aligning with the brand idea of ‘food with a punch’. Giving a sense of ‘street food’, customers receive their food directly from the kitchen, adding a touch of speed and personalisation to the process.  

9. ALDI UPS THE FESTIVE ANTE

Festive innovation teasers continue to trickle through. To outdo last year’s foot-long phenomenon, Aldi has upped the ante by offering a limited edition two-metre long Pig in Blanket for £4.99. Starting December 5th, consumers can purchase this 6-foot 5-inches Christmas dinner staple that might last into leftovers for the following day. It’s also offering Halloumi-In-Blankets following its Halloumi Fries success. Another mighty offering this year is Iceland’s ultimate single-serving Festive Pie. This all-inclusive pie is filled with turkey, smoked bacon, vegetables, cranberries, stuffing with a pig in a blanket on top. Click here to see more festive launches coming soon >> 

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