Mix & Match Meal Components: What’s Really for Dinner?

 

The way Americans plan and consume dinner has undergone a seismic shift. Meal planning no longer begins in the kitchen, but often in the aisle of a grocery store, the drive-thru lane, or on a smartphone app. According to Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant ScoreCards, 83.2% of U.S. consumers do not know what they’ll have for dinner by 11:30 a.m., and 64.7% are still undecided at 4 p.m. This uncertainty has given rise to a new consumer-driven food space: the grocerant niche.

Grocerant foods — fresh prepared, Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat meal components — have become the centerpiece of modern meal solutions. Today’s time-starved, choice-driven consumer is not simply looking for a single entrée but for customizable meal bundles that satisfy the diverse tastes of households while reducing preparation time.

This paper explores the rise of mix & match meal components, analyzes data-driven shifts in consumer behavior, highlights innovative retail and restaurant adaptations, and provides insights from Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, on where the industry is headed.

 

The Consumer Context: Time, Taste, and Customization

·       Time Scarcity: Nearly 71% of consumers say convenience influences their food choices weekly (Datassential, 2024).

·       Personalization Pressure: Families demand variety — one meal option rarely pleases all. 63% of households now prefer “meal kits” or “bundle options” where each member can pick their own side or entrée (NPD Group, 2023).

·       Quality Over Quantity: Shoppers are trading traditional pantry-stocking for immediate, fresh solutions. Fresh prepared food sales in U.S. grocery retail surpassed $34.8 billion in 2024 (NielsenIQ).

As Johnson explains:

“Today’s consumer isn’t just buying dinner; they’re buying time, choice, and control. Grocerant food components empower families to create restaurant-quality meals at home without the labor of cooking.”

 

From Supermarkets to Smartphones: Where Grocerant Food Lives

The grocerant movement has blurred the lines between restaurants and retailers. Consumers can now curate meals across channels, often within the same day.

Grocery Stores

·       Wegmans: Features mix & match hot and cold bars where consumers build plates or purchase à la carte.

·       Whole Foods Market: Beyond salads and sushi, Whole Foods’ in-store restaurants and pub concepts drive evening traffic.

·       Trader Joe’s: Pre-portioned Heat-N-Eat entrées and sides enable quick “home-assembled” dinners.

Convenience Stores

·       Wawa & Sheetz: Leading the pack with customizable sandwiches, bowls, and breakfast-all-day menus designed for portability.

·       7-Eleven: Expanding beyond pizza and taquitos to include healthier bowls, salads, and fresh wraps.

Restaurants

·       Olive Garden’s “Buy One, Take One” model doubles as dinner tonight and Heat-N-Eat tomorrow.

·       Panera Bread: Offers “Family Feast” bundles where sides and mains can be mixed across categories.

·       Fast Casual Chains (e.g., Chipotle, Cava, Sweetgreen): Functionally serve as grocerants by letting customers bundle modular components into balanced meals.

Non-Traditional Channels

·       IKEA: Sells over $2 billion annually in fresh prepared meals, with Swedish meatballs as a cultural icon.

·       Walgreens & CVS: Increasingly integrating grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, and heatable meals.

·       Nordstrom & Macy’s: Using in-store restaurants and cafés to drive dwell time and incremental food revenue.

 

The Grocerant Marketing Advantage

Grocerant solutions succeed by tapping into the 5 P’s of Food Marketing developed by Foodservice Solutions®:

1.       Product – Fresh, flexible meal components (protein, sides, snacks).

2.       Packaging – Attractive, portable containers that maintain “restaurant-quality” appeal.

3.       Placement – Visibility across multiple touchpoints (deli counters, apps, delivery).

4.       Portion – Mix & match sizing for individuals or families.

5.       Price – Value-focused bundles versus traditional à la carte menus.

Johnson notes:

“The retailer who best integrates the 5 P’s creates not only food sales, but a food ecosystem — one where the consumer feels empowered to assemble their perfect meal, anytime, anywhere.”

 

Consumer Insights: Why Grocerant Food Wins

·       Impulse-Driven Behavior: With meal planning starting at 4 p.m., grocerant offerings capture last-minute purchase intent.

·       Portability: 54% of consumers say they eat at least one meal per week away from home but not in a restaurant (Technomic, 2024). Grocerant foods are designed to move.

·       Health & Wellness: Fresh prepared components allow for better portion control and dietary flexibility compared to traditional QSR combos.

·       Generational Shifts: Millennials and Gen Z are leading the demand for customization, with 72% saying they value “meal choice diversity” over traditional family-style dining (Hartman Group, 2023).

 

The Future of Mix & Match Meals

As consumer demand evolves, expect continued innovation:

·       AI-driven personalization in grocerant apps recommending bundles by household preferences.

·       Cross-channel loyalty programs rewarding bundled purchases (e.g., a salad at Whole Foods, dessert at Starbucks, entrée from Panera).

·       Packaging technology that improves reheating and maintains “plated quality” appeal.

·       Expansion into new retail verticals — furniture, bookstores, and even sporting goods stores testing grocerant integrations.

Johnson’s closing insight:

“The question is no longer ‘What’s for dinner?’ The question is, ‘Where will I curate tonight’s dinner from?’ Grocerant retailers who anticipate that shift will own the future of food.”

 

About Foodservice Solutions®

Foodservice Solutions®, led by Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson, is a leading authority on grocerant trends, consumer food behavior, and retail food strategy. Through its proprietary Grocerant ScoreCards and the 5 P’s of Food Marketing, the firm has helped retailers, C-stores, restaurants, and non-traditional outlets evolve their offerings for the convenience-driven consumer.

Learn more at:
🌐 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us
🔗 LinkedIn.com/in/grocerant
🐦 twitter.com/grocerant

Why Fall & Winter Are the Golden Seasons for Grazing

 

Snacking. Grazing. Nibbling. Once considered sideshows to the “real” meal, they’ve become the main act. In 2025, the world eats in fragments—around soccer practice, Zoom meetings, gym sessions, and Netflix binges. But in the grocerant era, these fragments add up to something bigger: a lifestyle of curated indulgence. And nothing captures it quite like charcuterie.

Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® of Tacoma-based Foodservice Solutions®, frames charcuterie as the quintessential Millennial Meal Solution—a format that’s endlessly customizable, rooted in premium quality, portable, and presentation-friendly. In other words: it’s Instagram, TikTok, and “elevated everyday” all on one platter.

 

2025 Food Marketing Data Bites

·       91% of global consumers snack daily; 61% snack at least twice, according to Mondelēz’s State of Snacking 2024. “Super snackers”—those snacking four times daily—are the fastest-growing group.

·       32% decline in social media chatter around the generic “charcuterie board” (Tastewise, 2025). But what’s fading in hashtags is reborn in re-invention: brunch boards, butter boards, plant-based grazing, and fusion flavors are trending.

·       Premiumization is booming: the U.S. salami and cured meats market is projected to grow 5.5–6% CAGR (2025–2032), with artisanal and gourmet cuts driving growth.

·       Retail focus: 74% of grocery retailers in North America expanded deli charcuterie space in 2024, up from 59% in 2021.

·       Gifting power: NielsenIQ found specialty meats and cheeses are among the top five gourmet gift categories during Q4. Consumers see charcuterie as a safe “affordable luxury.”

The numbers prove it: charcuterie as a category isn’t fading—it’s evolving.

 

Grocerant Guru® Insights

Johnson explains why charcuterie thrives: “It checks all the grocerant boxes—portable, customizable, bundled, premium yet accessible, and visually experiential. That’s a recipe for repeat engagement.”

For consumers, boards double as culinary self-expression and social performance. Each platter is a personal playlist of flavors and textures, curated for the moment—bold soppressata for spice, brie for indulgence, roasted nuts for crunch, fig jam for elegance.

 

Why Fall & Winter Are Charcuterie’s Prime Seasons

1.       Occasions Overload. Football Sundays, Friendsgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Year’s gatherings all demand shareable food. Charcuterie delivers convenience and wow-factor.

2.       Flavor & Comfort. Rich, smoky, spiced, and hearty flavors shine in cold weather. Seasonal produce—apples, pears, figs—naturally pairs with meats and cheeses.

3.       The Gifting Effect. Premium charcuterie boxes are among the fastest-growing food gifts. They’re indulgent, festive, and universally appealing.

 

2025 Trending Charcuterie Board Themes – 8 Must-Try Styles for Foodies

Here’s where charcuterie gets creative this year:

1.       Global Fusion Boards – Mezze spreads with labneh, East Asian touches like kimchi or bao, or Latin-flavored platters with tropical fruits and chimichurri dips. For foodies: it’s a trip around the world on one board.

2.       Plant-Based Luxury – Vegan cheeses, mushroom pâtés, smoked tofu, jackfruit “meats,” roasted veggies, and nut-based spreads. Satisfies the flexitarian craving for indulgence without compromise.

3.       Dessert Boards – Think artisanal chocolate, honeycomb, marshmallows, spiced cookies, and maybe a soft dessert cheese. Perfect for holiday nights and indulgent finales.

4.       Mini & Individual Boards – Single-serve jars, mason-jar “jarcuterie,” snack cups, or mini trays. Great for parties, more hygienic, and oh-so Instagrammable.

5.       Interactive DIY Stations – Guests build their own bites, pairing meats, cheeses, spreads, and garnishes. Food becomes entertainment.

6.       Seasonal & Themed Boards – Fall harvest colors, winter citrus, game-day spreads, brunch boards, or movie-night themes. Timely, relevant, and fun.

7.       Sustainability & Local Love – Small-batch cheeses, pasture-raised meats, organic accompaniments, minimal packaging. Foodies love a story they can taste and share.

8.       “Seacuterie” Boards – Seafood stars: smoked salmon, roe, ceviche cups, shellfish, even sushi rolls. Light, luxurious, and conversation-starting.

 

Foodie Takeaway

For today’s foodie, charcuterie is not just meat and cheese—it’s curation, participation, and storytelling. It’s where culinary tradition meets creative reinvention.

As Johnson notes: “Charcuterie is a participatory meal solution. It invites consumers to play with food, mix flavors, and personalize. That’s why it’s winning across generations.”

This fall and winter, expect charcuterie to dominate not just holiday tables but social feeds, gifting baskets, and foodie imaginations. The board is back—and it’s more deliciously diverse than ever.

Gain a Competitive Edge with a Grocerant ScoreCard

Unlock new opportunities with a Grocerant ScoreCard, designed to optimize product positioning, placement, and consumer engagement.

Since 1991, Foodservice Solutions® has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche—helping brands identify high-growth strategies that resonate with modern consumers.

📞 Call 253-759-7869 or 📩 Email Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Papa Johns’ “Papa Dippa” Leverages Handheld Innovation, Customization, and Flavor Play to Win Market Share

 

In a marketplace where menu innovation and consumer interactivity increasingly drive traffic, Papa Johns is doubling down on one of the fastest-growing foodservice trends: handheld, customizable eating occasions according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. With the launch of Papa Dippa, the brand’s first-ever pizza built exclusively for dipping, Papa Johns is staking a claim in the growing territory where portability, personalization, and participatory dining converge.

 

Why Handheld Foods Dominate Today’s Food Culture

Consumers want food that moves with them. According to Technomic’s 2025 Snacking Consumer Trend Report, 64% of U.S. consumers say handheld foods fit best into their “eating on the go” lifestyle, and 58% say shareability influences their food purchasing decisions. Handheld foods aren’t just convenient—they’re social.

Papa Dippa delivers on that demand. Constructed with Papa Johns’ signature six-ingredient dough, its firm edges and strip-like format transform pizza into a dipping-friendly, shareable centerpiece. This aligns perfectly with consumer preferences for formats that are both snackable and meal-capable.

 

Dipping: An Interactive Ritual That Works

The dipping ritual is interactive by design, and that’s what makes it powerful. According to NPD Group, 71% of Gen Z and Millennials report they are more engaged with foods they can customize or personalize.

Data also shows dipping isn’t just a side note—it’s a revenue driver. Datassential’s 2024 Flavor Report found that 56% of pizza buyers purchase at least one dipping sauce with their order, and 43% say they are willing to pay more for premium sauces. Garlic, spicy, and herb-forward flavors rank among the fastest-growing dipping profiles.

Papa Johns’ new garlic-forward sauces are tailor-made for that demand:

·       Roasted Garlic Parmesan – a Caesar-inspired classic

·       Garlic Hot Honey – sweet-heat innovation that taps into the fastest-growing sauce trend (+36% YOY menu penetration per Datassential)

·       Creamy Garlic Pesto – a premium, herb-forward option signaling quality and culinary depth

The combination makes Papa Dippa more than a product—it becomes an experience platform, where every bite is a customizable choice.

 

Competitive Context: A Market Hungry for Options

The U.S. pizza market is dominated by three players: Domino’s (33% share), Pizza Hut (24% share), and Papa Johns (16% share), with the remainder split among regional and independent operators (Technomic 2025 data).

·       Domino’s has maintained leadership by leveraging technology (its app drives nearly 80% of sales) and a strong value focus.

·       Pizza Hut has leaned into nostalgia-driven promotions (Big New Yorker, Melts) but has struggled to grow traffic.

·       Papa Johns has differentiated with innovation (Papadias, Epic Stuffed Crust, Shaq-a-Roni) and flavor-forward marketing.

That differentiation has shown results: Papa Johns posted a 3.2% increase in North American same-store sales in Q2 2025, compared to flat growth at Domino’s and a 1.8% decline at Pizza Hut. Limited-time offers (LTOs) like Epic Pepperoni Stuffed Crust have consistently driven traffic bumps, and Papa Dippa is positioned to build on that momentum.

Why does that matter? 78% of consumers say customization builds long-term loyalty (Technomic, 2025). While Domino’s and Pizza Hut continue to compete on price and delivery efficiency, Papa Johns is carving out brand equity by letting consumers actively participate in shaping their eating experience.

 

International Growth: Global Appetite for Handhelds

Papa Johns isn’t just leaning on domestic growth. The chain has opened over 200 international units in the past 18 months, with strong expansion in the UK, Middle East, and South Korea. International revenue now accounts for roughly 25% of Papa Johns’ total system sales, and handheld-friendly, customizable products like Papa Dippa are well-suited to global markets.

·       In Europe, handheld foods dominate snacking culture, with street-food style formats driving quick-service innovation.

·       In the Middle East, dipping and sauce-driven eating rituals are already embedded in local cuisine, making Papa Dippa an easy cultural fit.

·       In Asia, particularly South Korea and China, consumers have embraced menu innovation at Papa Johns, with localized dipping sauces and toppings already gaining traction.

By launching Papa Dippa as a limited-time offer in the U.S., Papa Johns has the option to export the concept internationally—where dipping, customization, and handheld sharing align with consumer behavior and demand for “fun food.”

 

Grocerant Guru® on Papa Dippa’s Potential

Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, highlights why this launch matters:

“Papa Dippa is designed for the way consumers eat today—handheld, interactive, and fun. The dipping element transforms pizza from a static product into a dynamic occasion. When consumers feel like they are personalizing their food in real time, they build stronger brand attachment. Papa Johns is smartly leveraging that insight to create repeatable excitement.”

Johnson adds that handheld, customizable foods are among the fastest-growing prepared-food categories in both restaurants and retail grocery channels. By anchoring Papa Dippa in sauces and interactivity, Papa Johns is creating an offering that can scale across global markets where dipping and flavor play are already consumer rituals.

 

Think About This: It’s More Than an LTO

At $13.99 nationwide, Papa Dippa may look like a simple limited-time offer. But for Papa Johns, it’s a strategic innovation that reinforces the brand’s edge in customization and consumer engagement. By leaning into handheld design, garlic-forward sauces, and participatory eating occasions, Papa Johns is positioning itself as the most interactive player in the pizza segment.

In a market where handheld foods, dipping, and personalization are shaping the future of foodservice—both in the U.S. and abroad—Papa Dippa could prove to be not just a win for Papa Johns, but a blueprint for how brands grow loyalty, traffic, and market share globally.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit: us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter