What's for Lunch? Coffee

The competitive landscape in retail foodservice has ratcheted up once again. This time it’s two Coffee titans that see an opportunity within the lunch day-part.  While the country seems split, some like going to Starbucks for morning Coffee and a La Boulange Raspberry Swirl Pound Cake others like visiting Dunkin Donuts for their morning Coffee and a Donut. 

What you may not know is that both Starbucks and Dunkin Brands are now focused on getting you back for lunch. When Bloomberg reported that each company had launched new menu items targeting lunch and afternoon sales we knew things were about to heat up.  

Chief Operating Officer Troy Alstead called "a destination for a quick, delicious and high-quality lunch." Today you can get “better for you” positioned Hummus, grilled white chicken strips, cucumber, grape tomatoes and wheat pita from Starbucks.While Alstead said that the “chain plans to introduce more sandwiches across the United States during fiscal 2015”

Starbucks lunch product testing has begun by offering new sandwiches at 178 locations in Phoenix and Richmond, Va., on May 6. The test lineup includes a grilled chicken sandwich with bacon and Swiss cheese for $5.95; a grilled cheese sandwich for $5.25; and a beef brisket and baguette for $6.95. All are prepackaged and then heated inside the stores.

John Costello, Dunkin' Brands' Global Marketing stated "The biggest challenge is generating awareness," stated and innovation president. While afternoon demand exists, the company is known primarily for its coffee and doughnuts…."Our mission is to get people running in the morning and to keep them running all day."

Dunkin' Donuts is testing “a new grilled chicken flatbread sandwich for $3.99 this week. Its marinade is made with grilled and rotisserie flavors, and toppings include cheddar cheese and ancho chipotle sauce.”

So where are you going to get your Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food for lunch?  We think that both companies are well positioned to garner a larger share of lunch and afternoon meal sales.

Visit: www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  if you are 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 or you can learn more at Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant