Sonic Drive-In is Getting ‘Better-for-You’

The undercurrents of the ‘better-for-you’ fresh food movement have been well documented on this blog as regular readers know.  In fact Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® has for years pontificated that the ‘halo’ of better-for-you is what is driving the continued success of the grocerant niche.

Sonic Drive-In stepped up to the plate and is now a first of its kind in fast food ‘better-for-you’ burger. The new cheeseburger patty is made with three simple ingredients: 100-percent pure beef blended with savory mushrooms and seasonings to create a juicy, flavorful patty that is almost too good to be true.

Here is the consumer focused good news the burger has a ‘halo’ of good as its starting at under 350 calories, and only cost $1.99.  Scott Uehlein, vice president of product innovation and development for Sonic stated “Adding mushrooms right into the burger patty amps up the incredible flavors of the 100-percent pure beef and seasonings you get in each bite. This burger truly raises the bar for every other restaurant.”

This is a huge boost for the Mushroom industry and clearly creates new electricity to drive sales for both Sonic and the Mushroom industry. Bart Minor, president of the Mushroom Council, Stated  “The trend of blending mushrooms into a burger patty has been atop a number of food trend lists this year and we can’t wait for guests to experience Sonic’s uniquely delicious creation."

In the minds-eye of Johnson, there is one dominate element that will power success within retail and foodservice over the coming years and that is partnerships. Johnson calls it the new electricity that is partnerships specifically strategic partnerships.   

The new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh food, grocerant consultants, urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing.

Retailers the ilk of Sonic to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable in some form.  That will require brands to embrace new fresh food partnerships more now than ever before according to Johnson.

What is your new electricity? Success does leave clues www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  is the global leader in grocerant niche business development.  We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities.  Has your company had a Grocerant ScoreCard completed a Grocerant Program Assessment, or new Grocerant niche product Ideation?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us