Millennials' Shift from Restaurants to C-store Foodservice: A Modern Perspective

 

The food sector is witnessing a significant shift as Millennials continue their exploration for fresh food options in the grocerant niche. This journey of discovery, trial, and migration is challenging the traditional paradigms of legacy chain restaurants. Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, has been at the forefront of this evolution. 

A recent GasBuddy survey revealed that "43 percent of millennials purchase more food from c-stores today than three years ago". In our fast-paced world, where a full-time job can consume almost all waking hours, Millennials are seeking fresh food that is both quick and affordable. They are finding these needs met at C-stores. 

The survey further found that: 

Approximately 56 percent of Americans purchase meals at gas station c-stores at least once a month, with younger consumers doing so more frequently. 

A quarter of those aged 30-44 purchase food five or more times per month. 

20 percent of those aged 18-29 purchase food at c-stores three to four times per month. 

Three-quarters (75 percent) of respondents believe c-store foodservice has improved in the past five years. 

Frank Beard, a convenience store trends analyst at GasBuddy, stated that "Convenience retailers with compelling foodservice programs are a growing threat to quick-service restaurants". People are choosing convenience stores over fast-food locations due to the convenience of an all-in-one stop for fuel and food, and a preference for the taste of the food at c-stores. This trend is further amplified by leading convenience brands like Wawa and QuikTrip rapidly expanding across the country. 

Legacy restaurants have reasons to worry. Along with frequent visits to c-stores to purchase meals comes increased dollar spend. The study found that one in four Americans spend $6 to $10 per week on c-store foodservice, with nearly 20 percent of those aged 18-29 spending $10 to $15 per week. 

The most-preferred meals at both c-stores and quick-service restaurants include sandwiches or wraps; fresh salad; pizza; burgers and fries; and fried chicken. Beard continued, "Convenience brands are well-positioned to cater to consumers' tastes because they aren't pigeon-holed into one type of cuisine". The study found that younger Americans prefer more variety, particularly with newer menu items like burritos and pizzas. 

Speed is a concern, as nearly one third of consumers are only willing to wait five minutes for their meal. When asked what they dislike about fast food establishments, consumers named unhealthy options as their top concern, followed by food quality, restaurant cleanliness, and limited food and drink options. 

In the light of recent trends, Foodservice Solutions® offers its 5P’s of Food Marketing to enhance your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation, and individualization. For more information, you can reach out to them via email. 

Fast forward to 2024, the landscape of the food industry continues to evolve. Millennials and Gen Z are leading a movement towards healthy eating amidst the current cost-of-living crisis by scaling back on non-essentials, including streaming services. They prioritize spending on healthier food over streaming services during the cost-of-living crisis. This shift in priorities is reflected in the growing popularity of c-store foodservice, which has seen significant innovation and expansion in recent years. As the landscape continues to change, c-stores are increasingly seen as sites where customers can find value for their meal dollars. 

Think about this, the shift of Millennials from restaurants to c-store foodservice is a testament to the changing dynamics of the food sector. As the Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson suggests, the key to survival in the next generation of retail is embracing both technological advancements and the demand for fresh, accessible food. 

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

Are You Growing

A Larger

Share of Stomach 

What’s a Family Restaurant without Kids?

At the intersection of time starved parents and hungry is the age-old question, ‘What’s for Dinner’ according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, ‘if kids are welcome, and wanted as customers when they are at your restaurant, the parents will be happy. Remember it’s the parents that pay the bill’.  

Here are 5 ways a restaurant can become a favorite spot for kids:

1.       Create a Fun and Engaging Atmosphere: Make your restaurant visually appealing to kids. Use bright colors, fun furniture (think booths shaped like animals), and decorate with kid-friendly themes. Consider having a designated play area with toys, coloring books, or even a mini arcade to keep them occupied while waiting.

2.       Offer a Dedicated Kids' Menu: This doesn't just mean chicken fingers and fries! Develop a menu with a variety of healthy and delicious options that appeal to kids' tastes. Consider including fun presentations, like smiley face pancakes or animal-shaped pizzas.

3.       Host Kid-Friendly Events: Organize themed nights, character appearances, or even magic shows. You could also have cooking classes specifically designed for kids, where they can learn to make their own pizzas or decorate cupcakes.

4.       Incorporate Play and Entertainment: Think beyond just a highchair. Offer interactive features like digital games on tablets or activity sheets with crayons. Consider having a scavenger hunt or trivia night specifically for kids.

5.       Incentivize Visits: Offer rewards programs for kids, like a free dessert after a certain number of visits. You could also have a "stamp card" system where they collect stamps with each visit and get a prize upon completion.

By focusing on these aspects, your restaurant can become a place kids, genuinely enjoy, influencing them to want to return and becoming a top choice in their minds (and their parents' wallets!).

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 

Don't for get

Finger Food for Kid's 

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

So, Gen Z and Millennials Relate Well to Popeyes

 

Popeyes Chicken, the classic fast-food chain that has been serving spicy, New Orleans style chicken since 1972, has recently experienced a surge of popularity among younger generations. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that customer focused relevant messaging including a Super Bowl ad will drive continued engagement.   

So, let’s look at some of the reasons why, a viral marketing campaign that sparked a social media frenzy over its new chicken sandwich.

The chicken sandwich, which was launched in August 2019, quickly sold out in two weeks, as customers lined up to try the crispy, juicy, and flavorful product. Popeyes cleverly ignited a Twitter war with its rival Chick-fil-A, which claimed to have the original and superior chicken sandwich. The online debate drew in millions of users, who posted memes, videos, and reviews of the sandwiches, creating a massive amount of free publicity for Popeyes.

According to Apex Marketing, the social media explosion generated approximately $65 million in equivalent ad revenue for Popeyes, based on the number of impressions and mentions it received across various platforms. Popeyes also gained more followers on Twitter in a single week than it had in two years, reaching a wider and younger audience.

The success of the chicken sandwich was not just a one-time phenomenon. Popeyes has continued to capitalize on its momentum by launching new products, such as the Cajun Flounder Sandwich and the Blackened Chicken Sandwich, that appeal to the taste preferences of Gen Z and Millennials. These generations are known for their love of spicy food, constant snacking, and adventurous eating habits. Popeyes has also leveraged its brand identity as a fun, authentic, and culturally diverse chain that resonates with the values and aspirations of these generations.

Popeyes has proven that viral marketing can be a powerful tool to attract and retain customers, especially in the highly competitive and saturated fast-food industry. By creating a buzz-worthy product, engaging with its fans and critics on social media, and staying true to its roots, Popeyes has established itself as a leader in the chicken sandwich category and a favorite among Gen Z and Millennials.

Yes, Popeyes has unveiled its first-ever Super Bowl commercial featuring actor, writer, and comedian Ken Jeong trying the famous brands’ new Wings for the first time.

This funny commercial is based on Jeong, who cryogenically froze himself 52 years ago waiting for the best-ever wing to be created. Jeong is unfrozen to discover Popeyes has permanently launched Wings in five delicious flavors – along with many other changes from 52 years ago, including drones, driverless cars, scooters, and new breeds of doodle dogs.

The advertisement was created by Popeyes in partnership with its creative agency, McKinney, and was directed by filmmaker and MTV Video Music and Grammy Award Winner Calmatic, who is well known for directing movies like House Party and White Men Can’t Jump. 

Sami Siddiqui, President of Popeyes North America, stated, “Football and Wings is the all-American pairing, so we couldn’t think of a better time to go all-in on launching our new wing line up than during the Super Bowl,” … “Ken Jeong is a comedic genius who really makes this commercial a lot of fun to watch.”

Popeyes new wings in five delicious flavors are available nationwide starting at $5.99 for 6-pieces: 

·         Ghost Pepper: The perfect balance of flavor and fire.  

·         Sweet ‘N Spicy: A sweet and spicy blend of chili, garlic and ginger.

·         Honey BBQ Wings: Tangy and sweet, like a good BBQ should be.   

·         Roasted Garlic Parmesan: The perfect blend of roasted garlic and parmesan cheese.   

·         Signature Hot: Nice and spicy with just a dash of southern sweetness

Looking for success clues of your own? Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced food marketing and business development ideations. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities, technology, or a new menu product segment.  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

 

Portillo’s Grocerant Niche Holiday Meals

Every day 99.7% of all people eat!  Yes, every man, every woman, every child eats and most of us eat everyday food.  Most important we want everyday food with flavor and this holiday season Portillo’s is offering grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat full flavored food to everyone according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

This year Portillo’s is aiming to bring families together, both near and far, with affordable and convenient meal options for every type of holiday celebration. Whether gathering with your chosen family for the annual “Friendsgiving” (November 20, 2021) feast or around the dinner table for a long overdue in-person dinner with parents and siblings, Portillo’s has you covered this holiday season with complete meal solutions that bring Chicago-style Street food and flair to the table.

So here is how it works, whether you live near a Portillo’s or are a fan from afar, there’s a holiday meal solution available at Portillo’s for you. Those options include:

·         Holiday Take and Make: Get all the holiday flavor without any of the mess with various catering packages and à la carte items to meet every need. Simply pre-order online, pick up at your local Portillo’s restaurant and heat at home when you are ready to eat. Plus, with three unique packages – including Italian Beef, Italian Beef & Chopped Salad, and Italian Beef and Mostaccioli – holiday dinner has never been so easy and delicious!

·         Shop N Ship: Give or get the gift of Portillo’s this holiday season with nationwide delivery of Portillo’s craveable Chicago-style Hot Dogs, Italian Beef Sandwiches, Chocolate Cake and more. Perfect for gatherings of eight to 20 people, guests can choose from a variety of meal kits that include all of the ingredients to enjoy its most iconic menu offerings from the comfort of home. Start your order today HERE.

·         Portillo’s Merchandise: In addition, Portillo’s is making it easy to surprise and delight the Chicago-style Street food lover in your life with unique gifts that are sure to impress, including holiday ornaments, onesies and swaddles for the smallest of fans, cozy hats, socks and sweatshirts to fight off those winter chills, and festive goodies for your four-legged friend. Order now HERE.

·         Give the Gift of Portillo’s: Starting November 2, 2021, with the purchase of $50 in Portillo’s gift cards, you’ll also receive a $10 promo card, valid towards any purchase in restaurants or online December 26, 2021 through March 31, 2022.

It’s still time to remember your friends, family, and school mates for “Friendsgiving” day.  Remember everyone needs a friend during the holiday season.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869