Restaurants Meet and Greet is Back

 

Man is a social being. The pandemic is over and consumers want out and want to see what others are wearing, doing, and where they are going.  Is your establishment inviting? Can consumers meet others, see others, and discover a new meal, new flavor, new service style, or simply meet someone new? According to Steve Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® it des not matter if you’re running a grocery store service deli, convenience store, or restaurant consumers are looking for more than just food. 

 Over the last few years, young adult consumers have developed a reputation for their interest in exploring new foods and setting trends, while also seeking out both convenient and connival dining experiences. Yes, consumers want to discover what is different, new or visual food displays and beautiful differentiation from the recent past.

The newest findings on young adult preferences once again comes from a Y-Pulse nationwide study of millennial and Generation Z consumers which delved into the cohorts' dining perspectives and experiences. 

Sharon Olson, executive director of Y-Pulse, stated, "This study found more than half of the millennial and Gen Z consumers surveyed agreed that convenience was more important than cuisine, and that was surprising and a bit unsettling," …. "Yet as we took a closer look at the … dining options available in fast casual restaurants and on college and university campuses around the country, we soon realized that there is little need for young adult consumers to have to make that choice."

The report found that overall, 71 percent of millennial and Gen Z respondents said they prefer meals they can consume on the go. Yet, that does not necessarily mean they are consuming those meals alone. Ninety-one percent enjoyed sharing meals with other people rather than dining alone, while 87 percent reported that they enjoy taking thier to-go meal somewhere else to relax and enjoy with others. Additionally, 72 percent reported that sharing a meal with a friend or family member in the car suits their hectic lifestyle

Beyond the car grab-and-go, 77 percent of survey participants said they like convenience stores that have café seating, while 88 percent liked food markets because of the ease of sharing a meal with others when not everyone in the party wants the same type of food. For c-store operators, the research suggests simply offering customers the option of seating to enjoying meals will be attractive to this particular demographic.

The new report also found a dramatic shift in the same age cohort surveyed in a 2017 Y-Pulse study that asked the same question about convenience. Six years ago, only 44 percent of those surveyed reported convenience as more important than cuisine in their dining decisions, compared to 59 percent in the latest study. 

Y-Pulse conducted the survey with 2,101 consumers representative of the U.S. population nationwide. Millennials included those born between 1981 and 1996, while the Gen Z group included those 18 years or older from the total cohort born between 1997 and 2012.

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

 

To-Go Packing Can Drive To-Go Food Sales

Building top-line sales, and bottom-line profits is the goal of all fresh food retailers.  Success within the grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food requires packaging that keeps hot food hot and cold food cold as a minimum according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

The ability of any food retailer to brand their packaging with their tame or local is key according to Johnson.  That branding can be a simple as placing a ‘sticker’ with your name, logo, or phone number.  Y-Pulse recently conducted a new nationwide survey, and insight from that survey suggests that takeout and delivery programs are much more than a convenience for young adult consumers. A well-crafted takeout and delivery program can build awareness, encourage new product trial and strengthen relationships with this sought-after primary and secondary demographic.

So, the Y-Pulse surveyed 670 U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 nationwide in March 2022. Participants were asked questions about specific aspects of their food and dining experiences at home and away from home. In the survey the consumer female to male ratio was 59-to-58, respectively. Of those consumers surveyed, 346 live in a one- or two-person household and 324 live in a household of three people or more.

These foodservice primary and secondary targeted demographic young adult consumers are well known for their tech savvy behavior especially when it comes to restaurant ordering and engagement. Foodservice operators often rely on social media to stay engaged with their customers however, takeout and delivery programs can play a powerful role in building business and customer connections. While 62% of the survey respondents said they engage their favorite restaurants on social media, 75% said they like to visit a restaurant to pick up takeout food.

Renee Ragin, chef partner at Chicago’s Kite String Cantina, stated, “offered expansive meal kits during pandemic-mandated restrictions. She noted that its customers enjoyed coming to the restaurant to pick up meals even if it was just to chat from a distance with the windows open. “By reaching out and staying in touch with customers through social media and word of mouth, we were able to expand our reach to people who may have never even set foot in our establishment but liked what we were doing,”.

There is no doubt that the results of this new study point to the sustained ability of takeout to build customer connections. Eighty-three percent of respondents to the study agreed that they were willing to drive a distance to pick up food from a restaurant they really liked. Seventy-two percent of the 18-34 year old’s who participated in this study also said they would buy grocery items at a local restaurant.

Sharon Olson, executive director of Y-Pulse stated, “There is an important business-building aspect of takeout and delivery programs that may be overlooked because most foodservice operators often focus on the technical aspects of order accuracy and delivering a taste experience that travels well,” .. “The majority of participants in our survey said they like to try new restaurants and new menu items when they order takeout or delivery.”

This particular study findings suggest that a well-considered takeout and delivery program can build awareness for restaurants, with 70% of respondents saying they have learned about new restaurants because of a unique takeout offering. Trial of new items can be encouraged by the takeout menu as well. Seventy-nine percent reported that they like to try new things on the restaurant’s menu when they order meals to go.

While there is no denying the convenience of delivery for the majority of those who participated in this survey. It is clear that, delivery is also an opportunity to build customer relationships as 82% of survey participants said they prefer to order directly from a restaurant rather than a delivery service. How well do you understand the demand for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food?

For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert, and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information 

Generation Z Tomorrow’s Customers Will You be Ready to Feed Them?

Children of Generation Z growing up in America today are living in a world adults are working hard to cope with some homes are cutting the cord (cable) so there is no traditional TV, political chaos abounds, and picking up dinner  is more common that cooking at home according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. 

According to the study titled Understanding Tomorrow's Tastemakers Today, that explores the dining culture, attitudes and behaviors of more than 900 K-12 consumers, ranging in age from 8 to 18, toward traditional foodservice segments. 

"Today's kids' expectations for dining outside the home are extremely high and will continue to increase as they become young adults," said Sharon Olson, executive director of Y-Pulse. "Certain trends, such as culinary adventure and healthfulness in food, typically accelerate as younger consumers grow older."

Food media, peers and the need for community heavily influence the current food culture in young consumers, according to the study. It identified five things food companies and restaurants need to know about Gen Z consumers' dining preferences:

1.       They enjoy contradicting food trends. Young consumers enjoy culinary adventure and comfort foods with equal zeal. Seventy-one percent of those surveyed like trying new dishes and flavors at restaurants, while 91 percent of kids like ordering their favorite foods or foods that they are familiar with.
 

2.       They want the feeling of community. Despite their love for smartphones and convenience, young consumers are not immune to the need for community feeling. Their choices in restaurants reflect this priority. Two-thirds (66 percent) surveyed like restaurants that offer shareable food and three-fourths (76 percent) of kids said they like to hang out with their friends at a restaurant.
 

3.       They are heavily influenced by food media. Young consumers have a healthy appetite for food media consumption, as 56 percent said they like to watch the Food Network and 52 percent of these consumers said they like to watch "Tasty" style videos on Facebook and Instagram.
 

4.       They are influenced by perceptions of healthy food. Much like their predecessors, Gen Z consumers care very much about eating healthy food and are influenced by perceptions of healthy eating. When asked about their perspective on eating healthy, 40 percent said that the snacks offered in school vending machines are healthy.
 

5.       They crave independence in food. When it comes to the Gen Z consumer segment, kids are growing up with a strong sense of independence and decisions in food. Fifty-eight percent said they like to cook for themselves and 50 percent of them said they like to get snacks from the convenience store.

How are you preparing to sell food to Gen Z consumers?  Outside eyes can drive inside results.  Don’t react to customer migration.  Become a proactive retailer and understand how the grocerant niche can help you drive top line sales and bottom line profits.

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 Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant