No Beef as consumers focus on Protein

Where’s the beef? Was the tagline made famous by Wendy’s back in the day.  In an era of transparency consumers are looking at labels and asking for products with protein not just beef according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Millennials continue to seek food discovery and greater innovation is taking place with plant based protein’s and the industry is marketing them as NOT just for vegetarians and vegans anymore.

“Growing consumer interest in health, sustainability and ethics is propelling plant-derived ingredients and products into high popularity, according to Innova Market Insights. Gravitation toward plant-based diets in general, along with interest in vegan, vegetarian and flexitarian lifestyles and concerns over animal welfare, are contributing factors.”

Four in 10 U.S. consumers increased their consumption of meat substitutes/alternatives during 2017, according to The NPD Group. And plant-based dairy alternatives are expected to comprise 40 percent of the total dairy/dairy alternatives market by 2021, reports market research firm Packaged Facts.

David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts  stated “Vegetarians and vegans together account for less than 15 percent of all consumers and their numbers do not grow very rapidly, but a growing number of consumers identify themselves as flexitarian and lessitarian, meaning they’ve cut back on their consumption of animal-based foods and beverages,”  “It is this group that is most responsible for the significant and ongoing shift from dairy milk to plant-based milk.”

Battle for Share of Stomach

In-home consumption of plant-based proteins has grown by 24 percent since 2015, according to NPD. The heaviest users of plant-based foods are more convenience-oriented than others, the global information company found.

“The plant-based foods industry has gone from being a relatively niche market to fully mainstream,” said Michele Simon, executive director of the Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), which represents plant-based food companies.

2018 marked the second year that PBFA released Nielsen retail sales data. In July, the trade association that represents 114 of the nation’s leading plant-based food companies released new data showing robust sales in the plant-based foods industry, with dollar sales growth of 20 percent over the last year and sales now topping $3.3 billion. Comparatively, overall food sales growth is around just 2 percent.

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, www.Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or www.twitter.com/grocerant/

Grocerant niche ’better-for-you’ fresh food is better for your bottom line

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson based on Tacoma, WA has documented the value of the ‘halo’ of ‘better-for-you’ fresh prepared food since 1991.  The undercurrent of consumer adoption of the platform of ‘better-for-you’ continues to grow as consumers continue to show a willingness to pay-up for ‘clean food and beverages.

 Under the ‘halo’ are traditional labels the ilk of ‘all natural, organic, limited ingredients, as well as attributes the ilk of online ordering, delivery, fast service, recyclable packaging according to Johnson.  Consumer trust in food manufacturing and consumer packaged goods companies declines, the demand for transparency is on the rise and it is at that intersection the retail foodservice is booming aka grocerant niche fresh prepared food in every sector of retail today according to Johnson.

Shelley Balanko, Ph.D, senior vice president of The Hartman Group  stated “It has been evolving for quite some time as consumers have become more interested in what they are putting in their bodies,” …“Clean from the consumer perspective is something uncontaminated or transparent about how the food came to be, what is in it and who made it.”

Balanko continued “local has become much more important when communicating transparency, as consumers view local as fresh and sustainable and they like that local products don’t need to travel far or be manufactured in a country with different regulations than the United States.”

The fact is, between 2010 and 2017, the share of adults who make an extra effort to purchase locally grown foods increased to 45 percent, according to Simmons Reports by Simmons Research LLC. And according to Packaged Facts’ Organic and Clean Label Consumer report, just under half of adults surveyed said they prefer to eat without artificial ingredients, which is an all-time high.

“There are several drivers. One is the growing consumer concern about health issues linked to artificial ingredients, especially parents buying food for their kids,” said Steve Hartman, account director for the public relations agency Ingredient Communications, based in the United Kingdom.

Ingredient Communications’ research has found that as much as 71 percent of consumers (across Europe, North America and Asia-Pacific) will pay a higher retail price for foods and beverages made with ingredients they recognize and trust. What’s more, 18 percent said they would pay 75 percent more for such items.

Hartman continued “The research we conducted confirmed that clean label is now very much mainstream, with over half of consumers saying it’s important they recognize and trust the ingredients in a product they’re considering buying,”  How is your brand getting ‘better’? Today, less is more, and transparency is ‘better-for-you’ in all of your customer touchpoints.

 For international corporate 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 visit www.GrocerantGuru.com , www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or call 1-253-759-7869

Topgolf Fresh Food, Fun, and esports a Recipe for Success

Interactive participatory fresh food experiences filled with hand held food for immediate consumption continue to garner favor with consumers of all ages particularly Millennials in search of discovery according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®

When Topgolf announced a new partnership with esports company Super League Gaming, making it the latest chain to latch onto the rapidly growing market for competitive video gaming edifying its leadership position with foodservice interactive participatory branded relevance, the team at Foodservice Solutions® knew that incremental success was close at hand.

Topgolf will kick off its Super League Gaming event series this month in Las Vegas with Super League Clash Nights, which is based on the popular mobile game "Clash Royale." The partnerships comes on the heels of a partnership between Topgolf and electronics company TCL to create TCL esports lounges in certain Topgolf venues. The lounges will feature real-time gameplay broadcasts on TCL televisions, including live streams and video content from Twitch, YouTube and other digital platforms.

Matt Edelman, chief commercial officer for Super League Gaming stated “Topgolf has established one of the most impressive experiential brands in the world and recognizes that esports can be a significant additional growth engine for their business,”

How have your edified your brand with relevance?  Did you know that the average number of concurrent viewers of the video game viewing platform Twitch has more than doubled to 1.3 million over the past two years? Leagues have emerged around popular video games such as "Overwatch," "Fortnite," and "League of Legends." Top players can earn millions of dollars, and even traditional sports leagues such as the NBA have created their own leagues.

While restaurant chains have slowly dipped their toes into these waters as they’ve sought new ways to lure customers who are less likely to dine out than ever. Buffalo Wild Wings, for instance, features video games heavily in its new store design.

Topgolf is the latest entertainment destination to feature esports. The 52-unit concept calls itself a “sports entertainment community” that boasts a “fan base” of 100 million.  Topgolf’s multilayer complexes feature high-tech golf balls, gaming, climate-controlled hitting bays, events, music and handcrafted cocktails, as well as a menu featuring appetizers, flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers and a kids menu.

Johnson can’t remind food retailers of the value of strategic partnerships often enough since they are a proven platform driving top line sales and bottom-line profits. This relationship is an outstanding example how a brand can drive incremental adoption putting new electricity in your brand relevance.

Food retailers today must understand that relevance drive trial and adoption this new partnership with T-Mobile does that well.   Is your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands new electricity? According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, free food / sampling, beer, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, Fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing and esports.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? 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.

At Convenience Stores Fresh Food Drives Sales

Success does leave clues, recently we learned that “28 percent of all shoppers said their primary purchase during their in-store shopping occasions at c-stores over the past 12 months was foodservice, that number was even higher for millennials. Thirty-seven percent of millennials said their primary purpose of shopping at a c-store was for foodservice.”

That research was from AlixPartners who pointed out that c-stores need to develop programs for higher volume breakfast, lunch and dinner dayparts, as 40 percent of foodservice shopping occasions were for snacks. Now, think about what is happening within the restaurant sector continued year over year customer count declines.  C-stores are expanding fresh food offerings and restaurants are stuck in a qquagimire of their own making according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

AlixPartners’ Eric Dzwonczyk, co-head of restaurant, hospitality and leisure practice stated “In the past, ‘convenience’ was the differentiator for c-stores, but there has been a lot of blurring across the channels when it comes to convenience,” …“Despite their gains against fast food and fast casual, c-stores must accept that these channels are not sitting still. Innovative c-stores will be able to stay a step ahead with pre-made foods, healthier menu options and even offering delivery. In fact, this year, we’re seeing many of the middle-tier c-store players also pursuing these innovations.”

With IN C-Stores READY-TO-EAT PREFERRED OVER MADE-TO-ORDER

“When asked what types of foodservice foods and beverages they are most interested in purchasing from a convenience store, 57 percent said a grab-and-go/serve-yourself beverage, 40 percent said baked goods, 31 percent said hot dogs, and 30 percent said prepackaged cold sandwiches, salads and fruit trays.

Surprisingly only 29 percent said made-to-order sandwiches, salads, etc. Another 28 percent said pizza, and 27 percent said made-to-order beverages, followed by nachos (cited by 20 percent), soup (7 percent) and sushi (4 percent) according to Dzwonczk.  This is good news for the restaurant sector as it provided a platform to drive sales within current menu structure according to Johnson.

High-quality, Ready-2-Eat food is what consumers want, according to the research.  It is important to note that among millennials, made-to-order fares better, with 33 percent of millennial respondents indicating a preference for made-to-order sandwiches, salads, etc., along with 44 percent citing pizza, 36 percent wanting made-to-order beverages, and 8 percent citing sushi.

The Undercurrent commonality is CONSUMERS WANT BETTER-FOR YOU OPTIONS

Half of all respondents said better-for-your options are important to them when choosing a convenience store, up from 46.5 percent a year ago. The top three better-for-your attributes cited were: freshly made in-store, local-sourced/fresh ingredients and low-calorie options.

Thirty percent of all respondents described these options as either “very important” or “extremely important.” In comparison, 40 percent of millennials said better-for-your options are very or extremely important to them.

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

Live Sports, Snacking, and Food Sales Success

With the Superbowl just concluded maybe we should look at how much is was spent and who is buying what?  One thing is clear that is live sports on TV drives incremental consumption of snack foods and if you are not offering consumers a package of snacks you are missing out, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

So, who is spending what on ‘super bowl’ game day? Well, biggest spenders are those “ages 35-44 at an average $123.26 while the lowest are those 65 and older at $40.97. Viewers in the Northeast plan to spend the most, at an average $94.89, followed by the West at $84.01, the South at $79.09 and the Midwest at $69.24”.

Frito-Lay North America unveiled its inaugural U.S. Snack Index, a poll asking consumers what they plan to snack on during this year's big game.  Key insights from the U.S. Snack Index include:

1.       Nine out of 10 viewers plan to have at least one snack during the game. In addition, 80 percent of Americans will have potato chips or tortilla chips. 

2.       No two cities are exactly alike when it comes to Super Bowl snacking preferences. Chicago's top pick is popcorn. Los Angeles had the highest percentage of potato chip lovers, while Boston chose tortilla chips as their top pick.

3.       Nearly half of Gen Z and millennials selected cheesy snacks as a top pick. In addition, spicy snacks fared best with these age groups.

4.       Salsa was the overall top dip choice. French onion dip was the most popular dip for potato chips, while both salsa and guacamole came in high for tortilla chip dipping.

5.       More than one-third of those polled planned to share their photos on social media.

6.       More than half of viewers prefer to prepare simple recipes when they are attending a partly or hosting their own gathering.

Sporting events occur all year long.  How are you edifying your fresh food offering to garner a larger share of stomach?

Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions 5P’s of Food Marketing 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.

Grocerant Niche a Platform with Customer Relevance

Consumers are dynamic not static, all food retailers must be just as dynamic as consumers constantly evolving their business models to address the needs, wants, and undercurrents driving food retail discontinuity today according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Companies that develop a platform that allows meal co-creation; in the car, at the office, or at home are winning the hearts and minds of today’s retail food consumer.  The grocerant niche comprised of the ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat fresh prepared food is driving the success of the retail foodservice today.

Each retail food sector has had innovators; Restaurants started with Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Domino’s Pizza, MCD, BK and a whole lot more!  The Grocery started with Wegmans, Harris Teeter, Whole Foods and now fast charging Safeway and the “lifestyle stores.  Convenience Stores have Sheetz, Wawa, with fast charging Casey’s General stores and 7 & Eleven.  So, what is the commonality between all of them?  Johnson, says:    

1.         Visceral presentation, Freshness based on how it looks and is presented.

2.         Bundling, the ability to build your meal with components family members will eat.  

3.         Individualized portions, power to select quality and quantity of items viewed.  

4.         Convenience, unit /store location on the drive home from work.

5.         Time Saving, ability to evaluate price vs. time to cook from scratch.

Battle for Share of Stomach

Differentiation does not mean different it means familiar.  The grocerant niche continues to build top line revenue and bottom line profits the old fashion way! Giving the consumer something new yet familiar!

Join me here on my blog for insights, information, and inspiration. Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche for more on Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Foodservice Solutions® visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant/  on Facebook at Steven Johnson or www.FoodserviceSolutions.us

T-Mobile Taco Bell Tie-up Taco Tuesday

Taco Tuesday at Taco Bell was one of the first food marketing platforms to drive day-part sales while edifying brand value according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. 

Johnson continued detailing how the undercurrents of strategic partnerships were driving top line sales and bottom-line profits for Yum brands including Pizza Hut’s online ordering and updated App.  Both are outstanding Hand Held Food Marketing tools that are the undercurrents driving incremental brand adoption putting a new electricity in brand relevance for many younger consumers in Pizza Hut.

With this new partnership with T-Mobile Taco Bell edifies customer relevance with a free taco on Tuesdays’ for T-Mobile customers. So, what is your new relevance?

Food retailers today must understand that relevance drive trial and adoption this new partnership with T-Mobile does that well.   Is your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands new electricity? According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, free food / sampling, beer, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, Fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

Super Bowl Sunday, T-Mobile and Taco Bell announced an exclusive partnership to bring Un-carrier customers free tacos, amping up the uber-popular T-Mobile Tuesdays! Just download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app for iOS or Android to get your free tacos, starting this Tuesday, February 5. Not 'buy one get one free.' Not 'free with a drink purchase.' No strings. Just free. Just because.. If you're with T-Mobile -- you get your free tacos just for being you, boo. Sounds like the happiest customers in wireless just got happier.

Marisa Thalberg, Global Chief Brand Officer, Taco Bell Corp  stated “T-Mobile and Taco Bell felt like natural brand friends, and we were just waiting for the perfect opportunity to make a partnership come to life, in a way that befits what our fans expect from us both. No question this collaboration in the Super Bowl was that perfect opportunity,”“We cannot wait to give T-Mobile Tuesday customers and Taco Bell fans the chance to access a little ‘Taco Bell’ magic, any day of the week.”

Is your business model evolving?  Well consider this since T-Mobile Tuesdays launched in 2016, Un-carrier customers have snagged over 186 million fun freebies and deals, including Pandora Plus, Dunkin credit, Redbox rentals, Atom movie tickets, Live Nation concert tickets, Shell gasoline, and more…just for being T-Mobile customers. So, the price of your mobile service is going down and you get rewarded for being a customer.  Not Bad according to Johnson.

That means you can get up to as much as $966 in free stuff a year for every T-Mobile ONE customer according to leading independent industry analysts. For more details visit: https://www.t-mobile.com/offers/t-mobile-tuesdays. And don’t forget to download the T-Mobile Tuesdays app for iOS or Android! 

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? 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.

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