In Foodservice is Digital or Die a Lie

The first two truly digital generations are as here fully 85 percent of Millennials and Gen Z search first online before buying according to Nielsen. Consumers of today and tomorrow expect, demand, and drive early adoption.  Marketing, messaging, and brand magic must be digital in that we all agree.  

What about the food?  While quality visceral digital imaging is very important Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® says “your food must look as good on the table, or in the Take-Away or Take-Out container as is does on any digital devise.”  

The fact is Millennials and Gen Z are in search of food ‘discovery’.  They are looking for fresh food with bold flavors, appealing texture, and an authentic story that accompanies it. They prefer Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food over cooking from scratch according to our Grocerant Guru®. 

Much like their parents Millennials and Gen Z have embraced eating in front of a 65 inch HDTV albeit a 65 inch HDTV without cable TV but the internet.  Yes, smart TV where they can connect with the ilk of Netflix, Facebook, ESPN, Hulu, and Amazon Prime. 

Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh will provide the sales lift to attract tomorrow’s customers. Just remember the food still must taste GOOD, Hot foods must be hot, and cold foods cold. There can be no lie your Food Must Come First, digital marketing, photo’s, and messaging come in second. 

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Scorecard or a Grocerant Program Assessment.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant   Call: 253-759-7869 or Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us   

Fresh, Locally Grown, Drives Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat Food Sales Success

Consumers understand imperfection and embrace it, you should as well.  A great crop, poor crop, and new average crop no matter what kind of crop you had this year retailers should embrace local growers, adjust prices to reflect the seasonality and consumer will understand and embrace your Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food.  Remember your customers lived through the same weather, they understand if the crop is early, late or lacking you’re customers know it.  

According to Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® fresh food trumps local food, local food trumps organic food and regional authentic flavorings garner repeat customers. Menu items that are local, in season are all considered by consumers as ‘better for you’. In Europe ‘ugly’ fruit has been featured and discounted in grocery aisles becoming a huge success and that trend is taking hold in the US as well.  

Fresh, local, authentic Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food resonates with consumers as they place incremental value on menu item, meal components, featuring fresh, local, authentic flavors.  Our own Grocerant Guru® insists that value is the new transparency. Is your pricing structure competitive?  Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Scorecard or a Grocerant Program Assessment identify your competitive pricing, products drive incremental success.  

Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food. Visit Us On: Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant   Call: 253-759-7869 or Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us   

Fresh Food Delivery Incremental Sales or Required Relevance

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® called Amazon Prime Now service the fresh food disruptor of 2015. Amazon Prime Now is on a roll with fresh food delivery and restaurant food delivery.  Starbucks and Panera rolled out delivery in 2015 joining the ilk of Burger King and McDonalds is your food portable?  Look for all food retailers to take a serious look at catering and delivery of food to new or from new non-traditional locations too drive sales in 2016 and maintain market share.

Higher-end restaurants are now fighting back joining the consumer driven demand for quality fresh food by offering catering and meal delivery.  Many higher-end restaurants including Seattle based Ivar’s, and New York based Union Square Hospitality Group (USHG) are seeking increased customer relevance by eliminating tipping. 

Many more have or are considering dropping tipping, raising prices and increasing employee’s benefits in an effort to edify quality, reduce turnover and improve consumer perceptions all to garner customer relevance and regain customers. How are you garnering customer relevance?

Meal component customization and personalization are hallmark attributes driving the success of the grocerant niche and are expanding top line sales and bottom line profits from the ilk of McDonalds too USHG.  Have you considered a grocerant niche growth plan?

Watch for continued grocerant niche growth driven by introduction of delivery, discounts on bundled mix and match meals, leveraging new technology, new digital points of distribution, and communications. Consumers are dynamic is your company?

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing the same way?  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. 

Foodservice Solutions®, Grocerant Guru® Take-Away and To-Go Food Sells

Today the undercurrents of change have been brewing within the retail foodservice sector in 2015. Our Grocerant Guru® has taken a look at what is brewing under the surface, driving change that you might have missed and that will continue to evolve as 2016 unfolds. 

While the US Census fact finder tells us 50 percent of the US population over the age of 18, are single there is more to the story.  Which led us to a The Hartman Group study finding 50% results of eating and drinking occasions take place when Americans are alone. 

So what does that mean for foodservice retailers?  Well grocery stores, C-stores, and Restaurants  are add more bar seating, alcohol,  Wi-Fi, big screen TV’s  and communal seating. Growlers are now becoming a fresh food / beverage Take-Away To-Go option now driving frequency while increasing check average. Are you Looking a Customer Ahead?

www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a brand leveraging integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant Contact Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us