Handheld foods—such as burgers, pizza slices, and
sandwiches—have become increasingly popular, especially among single-person and
two-person households according to Steven
Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. This
trend is evident not only in the rise of takeout and delivery services but also
in the prevalence of handheld options in sit-down restaurants.
Rise in Handheld Foods Among Small
Households
The convenience of handheld foods appeals to smaller
households seeking quick meal solutions without the need for extensive
preparation or cleanup. According to the USDA, households with children
purchase 19% more fast-food meals and 38% fewer full-service restaurant meals
than households without children, indicating a preference for convenience.
Want a Larger
Share of Stomach
Demographics on Consumer Consumption
by Age
The consumption of handheld foods varies significantly
across different age groups:
·
Gen Z (ages 18-24): This group reports the highest consumption of handheld
foods, contributing to 25% of fast food sales. They prefer trendy, quick-serve
options like burritos and specialty sandwiches.
·
Millennials (ages
25-40): Millennials account for 30% of
handheld food consumption, often favoring gourmet burger chains such as Shake
Shack and Five Guys.
·
Gen X (ages 41-56): This age group makes up 20% of handheld food sales, with
a tendency towards healthier handheld options, like wraps and paninis.
·
Baby Boomers (ages
57-75): Representing 15% of handheld food
consumption, this group often chooses classic options like deli sandwiches and
pizza slices.
·
Silent Generation
(ages 76 and older): This group accounts for 10% of
sales, preferring familiar and straightforward handheld foods like burgers and
hot dogs.
Prevalence in Sit-Down Restaurants
Many sit-down restaurants have expanded their menus to
include handheld options, catering to the demand for quick and convenient
meals. Fast food giants like McDonald's and Burger King have long
capitalized on this trend with their iconic offerings. More recently, even
casual dining chains like Applebee's and Chili's have introduced
new handheld items, such as sliders and handheld tacos, to attract diners
seeking flexibility in dining choices.
Growth of Takeout and Delivery
Services
The takeout and delivery sector has experienced significant
growth, driven by the demand for convenience foods like burgers and pizza.
Online ordering has surged, with a growth rate of 300%, outpacing in-house
dining. Additionally, 77% of consumers order takeout or delivery every month,
highlighting the increasing reliance on these services. Examples of companies
thriving in this market include Domino's Pizza, which reported a
significant increase in delivery sales, and Grubhub, which has
consistently shown strong growth in its user base and order volume.
Impact of Drive-Thru, Takeout, and
Digital Ordering
Drive-thru services have become a cornerstone of the
fast-food industry, offering quick service for customers on the go. For
instance, Chipotle introduced "Chipotlanes" in 2018, requiring
customers to order and pay in advance through their app. Locations with
Chipotlanes have reported sales 10% to 15% higher than those without,
demonstrating the effectiveness of this model.
Digital ordering platforms have further revolutionized the
food industry. In March 2024, major meal delivery services in the U.S. saw an
8% year-over-year increase in sales, indicating sustained growth in the sector.
Companies like DoorDash and Uber Eats have become major players
in this space, providing seamless and efficient ways for customers to order
their favorite handheld foods.
In addition to these popular options, specialty handheld
food companies like Shake Shack, known for their gourmet burgers, and Panera
Bread, with their diverse sandwich offerings, have also seen success by
catering to niche markets within the broader handheld food trend.
The combination of handheld food options, efficient
drive-thru services, and user-friendly digital ordering platforms has reshaped
the dining landscape, particularly for smaller households seeking convenience
and flexibility in their meal choices.
Do your food
marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in
learning how Foodservice
Solutions® 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 us on our social media sites by clicking the
following links: Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter
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