DAWN FARMS TOP 9 | ISSUE 32 . 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. PRET A MANGER AGREES CAMPUS DEALThe Autumn semester has begun for Pret a Manger who has signed its first US franchise agreement, offering new location opportunities on university campuses, starting with Pennsylvania (2 outlets) and Chicago this September. Pret is partnering with the Bon Appetit Management Company which has 1,000 cafes across 33 states – while Pret currently has 450 locations worldwide of which 80 are in the US (New York, Washington, Boston). The college student’s hectic lifestyle is a good match for Pret’s organic coffee and freshly made to go menu of sandwiches, salads and hot food. 2. PAPA JOHN'S PAN-TEASERPapa John’s UK twitter followers will have seen the recent teaser statement, “It’s almost time to delve a little deeper…” Last October Papa John’s launched its Pan Pizza in the US market, calling it “its biggest launch in more than a decade”, having spent some 18 months developing the recipe and the cooking process, and preparing operators for the longer cooking time. Could the pan pizza be making its way over to the UK market in time for the peak back-to-school period? 3. AMAZON SLASHING PRICESOn Day 1 of owning Wholefoods, Amazon upheld its promise of large price cuts, starting a new price war on premium organic food. Prices on some goods were slashed by up to 43% (up to 33% in its 7 UK stores). This aggressive move comes at a time when US stores are facing stronger competition from discounters Aldi and Lidl. Meanwhile UK supermarkets are battling higher food costs, rising wages and business rates. This is a new business model in a digital age, expect pricing strategies to be further scrutinised in the coming months. 4. DOMINO'S HICKORY HEROESPulled beef has been one of this summer’s pizza heroes –Domino’s Netherlands introduced a Hickory BBQ-inspired range including the BBQ Meat Lovers Pizza, which has no less than 5 meats on a hickory BBQ base - pulled beef, bacon, ham, beef mince, and shawarma. Domino’s Germany added a Texas Fire Pizza, featuring red onions, tender pulled beef, red and green peppers and oregano finished with bruschetta mix. Burger King UK offers a Southern US-inspired range including its Fiery Double XL burger topped with a signature Fiery BBQ sauce meant to pack a punch while the Cajun Tender crisp is a seasoned chicken patty inspired by authentic New Orleans style spices. 5. FRESH TAKE ON FRIED CHICKENEarlier this year we read shocking reports that fried chicken’s popularity in the US was starting to wane - new research suggests that it’s already back in vogue (QSR Magazine). This turnaround follows the success of for example KFC’s new flavour options such as its Nashville Hot Chicken or Super Chix’ new fried chicken sandwich with crispy avocado - stuffed with melted gouda cheese and topped with garlic aioli, lettuce, and tomato. Wingzone’s Buffalo-style wings, Slim Chickens’ buttermilk-marinated chicken tenders or Korean Fried Chicken (by Federal Donuts) are further examples of new approaches to ‘better tasting’ chicken.
6. BOLT'S FAST FOODWorld record breaking sprinter Usain Bolt plans to open 15 Jamaican-inspired fast food chains in the UK within the next 5 years. ‘Tracks and Records’ was first launched in Kingston, Jamaica in 2011 in partnership with Jamaican franchise company Franjam, but following his retirement from international athletics, Bolt is keen to expand his restaurant empire. Franjam has made a deal with the SME Group which operates franchise for KFC, Pizza Hut and Costa Coffee to expand the chain in the UK. The restaurant offers traditional Jamaican dishes, such as jerk pork, janga soup, rum barbecue wings and pan chicken, as well as the creations like the Burgers A La Usain. 7. MCONALD'S LUXE BURGER BOXTalk about making a statement…McDonald’s has announced a new packaging collaboration with fashion icon Julien Macdonald, who has been appointed designer for the signature collection. Julien’s burger box creations will showcase luxury crystal detailing and bespoke digital printing alongside the famous ‘Golden Arches’. The luxe burger boxes will be available in over 900 restaurants across the UK by the end of 2017, following the premier launch event at Leicester Square, where one special box will be unveiled as part of an auction for Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). 8. FLEXITARIAN MEAT & VEGGIE BARSAn increase in demand for new flavours and more nutritional options has forced the snacking market to think outside the scope of its usual crisps and cereal bars. We are beginning to see the application of meat, vegetables, herbs and spices in the cereal and energy bar space. Savoury options are beginning to blossom as an alternative to the usually sweet choices. An example would be Wild Zora Meat and veggie Bar BBQ Beef with Tomato, Pepper and Kale (US). For other examples of snacking innovation click here >> 9. GERMAN ONLINE SHOPPERSGerman consumers are among the most enthusiastic online shoppers in Europe (93% have done so in the last year), enjoying the extra choice and the ease of comparing prices. However the momentum is much more muted for the online grocery shopping experience (online’s share of overall retail sales -10%). According to Mintel, only 6% of Germans are doing more grocery shopping online vs 12% of French consumers. The strength of the discounters, the preference for shopping little and often and the lack of dominant market-leader has inhibited online growth to date. According to IfD Allensbach, this outlook is changing thanks to the market entry of Amazon (Amazon Pantry, AmazonFresh).
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