Kids Like to Go Out to Eat ask Chuck E. Cheese

 

Don’t want to cook, don’t want to do dishes, well according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® your kids don’t want you hear you complain about cooking dinner either.

Chuck E. Cheese has a new program for that has a great chance to make the entire family happy according to Johnson.  It is a three-tiered program (subscription) that starts at $7.99 a month and offers families a weekly ration of gaming tokens and tickets, plus discounts on food.  What’s not to like?

So, Chuck E. Cheese is testing a membership program that gives users a fresh supply of gaming tokens and prize tickets every week, plus discounts on food and drinks. This three-tiered program starts at $7.99 a month and entitles every kid in a family to their own membership card. It's currently available at 13 locations in California. 

It’s 2024 and kids enjoy going out to eat:

1.       A change of scenery and routine: Eating out breaks up the monotony of the usual home dinner routine. It offers a new environment to explore, which can be especially exciting for younger children.

2.       Novelty and variety: Restaurants offer a wider variety of food options compared to what is typically available at home. This can be particularly appealing to kids who are curious about trying new things or who are picky eaters and might be more open to trying unfamiliar dishes at a restaurant.

3.       A treat and a celebration: Eating out is often seen as a special occasion or a treat, making it more exciting than the usual meals at home. This can be especially true if the restaurant visit is tied to a celebration, such as a birthday or a good report card.

4.       Social interaction and family time: Eating out can provide an opportunity for quality family time and conversation, free from distractions like television or chores. Additionally, some restaurants have play areas or other features that cater to children, which can provide entertainment and interaction with other kids.

5.       Sense of independence: For older children, eating out can offer a sense of independence, as they get to make their own choices from the menu and experience a bit more freedom in the restaurant setting.

Now back to the new membership program; perks in the $7.99 Bronze tier include 70 game play points and 200 e-tickets per week, plus 20% off food and games. The $11.99 Silver tier unlocks 115 points, 300 tickets and a 30% discount, while the $29.99 Gold tier gives 300 points, 1,000 tickets and 50% off food and games. All tiers include special "bonus rewards" throughout the year.

Most of the chain’s games cost 1 point to play. E-tickets can be won from games and exchanged for prizes. For families willing to visit Chuck E. Cheese every week for a year, the gold tier equates to a value of more than $6,000, according to the chain.

But they should be prepared to commit: Once members sign up, they are locked into the program for 12 months. After that they can continue on a month-to-month basis or cancel. 

Note: This program is separate from Chuck E. Cheese Rewards, a more traditional loyalty program that allows guests to earn points for every dollar they spend, and the Summer Fun Pass, which offers savings for eight weeks over the summer in exchange for a one-time fee.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® 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 the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Fresh Baguette Disruptive Marketing to Drive Success

 

At the intersection of consumer touchpoints that drive change and the consumer we find Fresh Baguette with a new consumer focused branded invitation in the form of a subscription service.  That subscription service has the potential according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® “too disrupt both Panera Bread and Starbucks regional customer base while garnering the attention of consumers for both trial and migration.”  

The team at Foodservice Solutions® agrees that the time has come for a new business model, format or platform that will provide the customer facing touchpoints that will drive the right Price, Value, Service equilibrium that will garner customer adoption in the coffee shop and bakery space this just might be the real thing. 

So, Fresh Baguette, is a modern French Bakery.  They have launched a Fresh Brew Coffee Subscription that will keep your cup flowing. The marketing program began Tuesday, January 31, 2023.  Now anyone can sign up for this new program that offers high quality coffee, cappuccinos, espresso, iced lattes, and more for just $9.95 a month.  That’s right just $9.95 a month.  Wait there is more and it’s the more that will drive adoption by consumers including both Starbucks and Panera Bread loyalist.

Florent de Felcourt Founder and CEO of Fresh Baguette, stated, “Our new Coffee Subscription is a game changer for us and our fans,” …. “We are thrilled to offer this opportunity for our guests to enjoy this amazing deal. In addition, we understand it’s often hard to stop at just one cup, so with our coffee subscription, our guests can indulge multiple times a day at a really great price. Plus, our coffees are the perfect pairing to our deliciously crafted and freshly prepared bakery selections.”

The Fresh Brew Club Coffee Subscription is easy to join. Guests simply need to scan the dedicated QR code available at Fresh Baguette locations or visit the Fresh Brew Club Link. Subscribers may join and cancel any time.

Are You Building a Larger Share of Stomach

Does your brands business model look more like 2011, 2018, or 2022?  Are you top-line sales up as a result of price increases? Is your business model driving an increase in year over year customer counts? 

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® 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 the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Yes, a Grocerant niche Plant-Based Meal Subscription by Thistle

 

Day after day we are witnessing the continued expansion, adoption, and success of Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Just in case you did not know, Thistle, is a leading tech-enabled food and nutrition company that delivers delicious, Ready-2-Eat plant-forward and planet-friendly meals to customer doorsteps, recently announced the launch of Thistle meal subscriptions on the East Coast.

So, customers get access to an ever-changing menu of the best-tasting, freshest, ready-to-eat plant-forward meals, snacks, soups, and organic cold-pressed juices conveniently delivered to their doorstep up to twice per week. Thistle now delivers to Manhattan and Philadelphia residents, and will continue expansion throughout the greater Northeast.

We all know that there is a growing awareness among American consumers of the negative health and environmental impacts of meat-centric diets has fueled the rise of those who identify as “flexitarian” or even “vegan-curious”. However, sticking to a plant-based diet is challenging – it’s difficult and time-consuming to plan, shop for, and cook meals that taste great, provide variety, and are nutritionally optimized. Thistle solves these challenges by delivering a globally-inspired menu of incredibly craveable, ready-to-eat plant-forward breakfasts, lunches, and dinners to customer doorsteps.

Thistle meals are designed by nutritionists and chefs using evidence-based dietary principles that lead to better health, with a focus on real, whole, plant-based foods (i.e. fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts, legumes, and whole grains). Meals are always fresh and free of dairy, gluten, refined white sugars, artificial sweeteners, preservatives, and additives. Above all, Thistle aims to show that eating a healthy, sustainable, plant-forward diet can be the most delicious option on the table. 

Ashwin Cheriyan, co-founder and CEO of Thistle, stated, “There is a transformative shift occurring among consumers who are turning to plant-based food as medicine and embodying a lifestyle centered around health and wellness,” ... “But with our lives as busy as ever, it’s hard to know how to begin and even harder to maintain a plant-forward diet. Our customers come to Thistle looking for a convenient solution to eat healthier while knowing they are making a positive environmental impact by eating less meat – with none of the sacrifices.”

The team at Thistle believes that eating a diet composed primarily of plants is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental footprint. What you eat – and specifically, the percent of your diet that comes from animal products – is the biggest driver of our food system’s greenhouse gas emissions and other negative environmental impacts.

According to Thistle, meat and dairy products have 10-100x the emissions of plant-based foods, and account for about 60% of food system emissions overall. And because animal agriculture is massively resource intensive, it’s a leading driver of deforestation, species extinction, freshwater use, land use, and air and water pollution.

Given its devastating environmental impact, scientists say avoiding meat and dairy is the single biggest way for individuals to reduce our overall impact on the planet. A recent study found that phasing out global meat consumption over 15 years would have the same climate benefit as a 68% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions through 2100 and provide more than half of the net emission reductions necessary to limit warming to 2°C.

Shiri Avnery, PhD, co-founder and President of Thistle, stated, “We’re working hard to build a more sustainable food system that makes plants accessible and, above all, irresistible,” ... “It’s not about banning meat, but making it obsolete with plant-based food so good you won’t even miss it. We empower people to harness the power of plants to better their health and the health of the planet. Our expansion to the East Coast is an incredibly exciting step in scaling our impact.” 

Now, Thistle’s full rotating menu is available on the East Coast, including new dishes and customer favorites such as Za’atar Orzo Salad with Tofu “Feta” and Tahini Mint Dressing, Green Olive Pasta with Crimini Mushrooms, Passion Fruit Colada Smoothie with Toasted Coconut, and Reish Chocolate-Chunk Cookie Dough Balls. Thistle has delivered over 15 million meals on the West Coast since 2015, and with its rapid growth plans, expects to more than double its customer reach by the end of 2023.

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

 

Taco Bell’s Insincere Subscription Service

 

There are times that old industry insiders pontificate on things that they just don’t understand.  This may not be the case this time for our own Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson, based in Tacoma, WA with Foodservice Solutions®. 

Johnson stated, “consumers are attracted to restaurant brands for a plethora of reasons most are tired to the price, value, service, equilibrium. While technology is driving new loyalty at chain restaurants seeming daily, all just slightly different Johnson believes that most are to contrived.  He reminds us that the consumer is not stupid.  They will set limits on how they far the are willing to be manipulated.

That’s right, food marketers, consumer know you are trying to manipulate them, you are not out smarting them.  They will let you abuse them only up to a point, then they will turn away.  Most new digital app loyalty programs are not a brand invitation they are bribe to stay with the brand.  That according to Johnson is not a brand growth strategy it is a documented, set of data points that quantify how long you can keep a customer before you turn them away.

The price, value, service, equilibrium combined with full flavored craveable food with consistence service will do far more to drive top line sales and bottom-line profits than data points on yesterday’s actions according to Johnson.  For that reason, Johnson believes that Taco Bell’s trial subscription service is simply an insincere effort at a brand invitation in need of a major redo.  That said let’s look at it:

So, the Taco Lover’s Pass, currently launching only at units in Tucson, Ariz., is available via the chain’s app and allows the user to redeem one taco per day for 30 days.

Taco Bell is testing a 30-day taco subscription service that can only be purchased via the chain’s app, the quick-service brand announced Monday.

The Taco Lover’s Pass, which sells for between $5 and $10 depending on location, allows users to redeem one Taco Bell original taco per day for a month. It is currently being tested for a limited time at 17 units in Tucson, Ariz., the company said.

Free taco choices include the Crunchy Taco, Spicy Potato Soft Taco, Crunchy Supreme Taco, Soft Supreme Taco, Doritos Locos Tacos and the Doritos Locos Tacos Supreme. The pass is available under the Online Exclusives section of the Taco Bell app.

The Irvine, Calif.-based chain called the subscription “a digitally exclusive offering that gives fans the chance to satisfy their taco cravings every day for 30 days.”

Even at $10 for the month, the subscription is quite a good deal for diners: One Crunchy Taco Supreme, for example, is listed at $1.99 and a Crunchy Taco is $1.49 on the website of one of Taco Bell’s Tucson, Ariz., stores.

In addition to incentivizing use of the taco chain’s app, it is likely Taco Bell is hoping diners will order more than just their one free taco each day. Such has been the case with other restaurant chains that have recently implemented subscription programs.

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® 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 the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Aldi No Subscription High Quality at Lower Prices

So, do you think that food retailer’s subscription services are a platform for today’s success? Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson thinks that they were back in the day, but the undercurrents of change may be pointing in a different direction.

Bernstein downgraded Costco last week stating “These days, every company wants an annual subscription fee to boost margins, but this trend is causing a membership exhaustion.”

Aldi is the fastest growing larger food retailer in the US and will have close to 2,000 by years end according to Johnson.  Aldi has no subscription instead they reinforce low price points and discovery within their stores according to Johnson. 

As grocery industry legendary researcher Bill Bishop recently pointed out; “Aldi recently added the ‘Aldi Savers’ symbol to its weekly ad and instore as well. So, why would a discounter that already offer very low prices decide to add to it otherwise straightforward merchandising tactics?

Simple, Bishop suspected that Aldi’s analyst has looked at the numbers and saw that they could use those symbols to boost sales.  Now, these symbols at Aldi are positive brand edifying messaging that save consumers money while they are venturing to discover. Now that’s a great brand invitation according to Johnson.

On the other hand, Costco’s subscription service has turned from being an ‘in-club’ membership to an aggressive point of sales tactic within the store to drive-up revenues according to Johnson. Amazon, has similar aggressive sales tactics for its subscription service. However, Amazon offers incremental services the ilk of free movies, free delivery all the while expanding its brand invitation.  

The question is; do consumers want more services for more money? Great value for less or simply pay more for the same old thing? Is there a ‘tipping’ point? Did the team at Bernstein get it right, is membership exhaustion driving customer choice?

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.

Is Burger King Stepping-Up and Standing-Out?

Copy-cat marketing and follow-the-leader positioning just might be pushed aside at Burger King or at least that is what Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® wants to believe.  Regular readers of this blog know Johnson has time and time again pointed out that copy-cat marketing and follow-the-leader positioning is required at times he has pointed out at Burger King it has been over-done.

Burger King with this one new food marketing limited time offer (LTO) has redefined the price, value, service, equilibrium for fresh food breakfast for all retailers according to Johnson. This program edifies relevance with Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X (all but forgotten) and Boomers according to Johnson.

OK, so what is the LTO? It is an app-based BK Cafe Subscription costs $5 a month and entitles users to one small brewed coffee per day per month. Talk about value this is a wake-up call for AM Daypart Sales, it’s a great loyalty program, it is hand-held-food marketing at it’s best according to Johnson.

There is no doubt but this platform of fast food value subscription will create distance between Burger King and other retailers including Wawa, Sheetz, Starbucks, and yes McDonalds in the AM Daypart.  More important this new positioning platform could do for Burger King what the $ 5 Footlong did for Subway according to Johnson.  

Adding relevance to their most frequent consumers the BK Cafe Subscription, available only through the burger chain’s app, entitles users to one small hot brewed coffee per day for “the price of a large cappuccino from Starbucks,” according to the company’s marketing materials. You just have to like that!

Playing catch-up for any chain restaurant is hard to do.  This is one LTO where Burger King has stepped up to the plate and it looks to the team at Foodservice Solutions® that they have hit a home run with this one.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.