Is Fresh Fruit the Key Ingredient for Fast Food Growth?

 

If your restaurant isn’t catering to Gen Z and Millennials with fresh, fast, and better-for-you options—2025 might leave you behind. The fusion of fresh fruit, vegetable-forward meals, and customizable grab-and-go formats is fueling a tectonic shift in consumer demand—and fast food restaurants are ripe for transformation.

According to Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, the grocerant movement—where grocery, restaurant, and convenience food formats blur—is now a $83 billion sector in the U.S., growing at 9.1% annually. The driver? Fresh, portable, and socially relevant foods that align with evolving consumer lifestyles.

5 Insights on How Fresh Food Can Refuel Fast Food Restaurants in 2025

1.       Snackification Reigns: In 2025, 64% of Gen Z and Millennials report eating 4–5 mini meals per day, rather than traditional 3-meal patterns. Fresh fruit and veggie snacks—like apple slices, avocado toast cups, and fruit skewer packs—fit perfectly into this new eating rhythm.

2.       Customization Is Currency: 72% of Gen Z diners now say they expect menu personalization. Fast food chains integrating build-your-own fruit bowls, veggie wraps, and add-on fresh sides are seeing a 13% increase in ticket size per transaction.

3.       Health is the New Indulgence: “Better-for-you” now equates to satisfaction. Brands that position fresh offerings as energizing, empowering, and part of wellness (not sacrifice) are finding more engagement on social platforms—up 41% in engagement when fresh ingredients are spotlighted.

4.       Technology Meets Freshness: Smart menus powered by AI are allowing QSRs to rotate in-season fresh items dynamically. Chick-fil-A and Sweetgreen are piloting programs where local produce determines part of the rotating daily menu.

5.       Convenience + Fresh = Loyalty: Loyalty apps that reward health-conscious choices are booming. One QSR chain saw a 27% increase in app usage by giving bonus points for ordering fresh items over fried ones.

5 Reasons Why It Will Work (According to the Grocerant Guru®)

1.       Cultural Fit with Modern Diners
Gen Z and Millennials don’t just want fast food—they want food that fits into their values. Fresh options align with transparency, sustainability, and wellness trends.

2.       Profitability in Perishables
Contrary to old myths, fresh doesn’t always mean lower margins. When bundled strategically (e.g., fruit cup + sandwich combo), fresh items raise average spend and perceived value.

3.       Daypart Expansion
Fresh fruit and vegetable-forward offerings open new revenue windows—morning, mid-afternoon, and late-night snacking, all underserved in traditional QSRs.

4.       Social Shareability
Fresh food is inherently more photogenic. According to the Grocerant Guru®, “If it’s not Instagrammable, it’s not scalable.” Fresh bowls, wraps, and smoothies outperform burgers on social media impressions by 3x.

5.       Cross-Channel Leverage
Grocerants are winning with mix-and-match fresh meal components. Fast food can do the same—offering take-home snack packs, meal kits, and in-app subscription boxes that stretch their brand beyond the drive-thru.

Evolved Value Equation: 2025 Formula for QSR Success

As Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ notes, the outdated formula of value—Price + Quality + Service + Portability = Value—is now obsolete.

2025’s winning formula is:

Price + Quality + Service + Social Relevance + Fresh Portability = Consumer Value

Fast food operators that embrace this equation by integrating fresh fruit, customizable veggie options, and snackable meal kits into their model will not just survive—they’ll thrive.

Do you want to Grow

Share of Stomach

Think About This

The “Fresh Forward” movement is not a passing fad—it’s a permanent pivot. If fast food wants to stay relevant, it must go beyond fries and fountain drinks. With fresh food at the core, QSRs can attract younger audiences, unlock new revenue streams, and differentiate in an increasingly crowded market.

As the Grocerant Guru® says:

“The future of fast food is fresh, frictionless, and filled with flavor. You don’t have to choose between speed and health—you just have to design for both.”

Want to Lead Instead of Follow?

Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us to learn more about the 5P’s of Food Marketing and how your brand can drive growth through participation, personalization, and product innovation. Connect with the Grocerant Guru® on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter for daily insights.

The FIVE Pillars Driving Grocerant Adoption: A Modern Foodservice Success Story

 

At the intersection of today’s consumers and food sales success Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that in today’s dynamic retail landscape, where consumer behavior is continuously evolving, the grocerant niche—characterized by hand-held, ready-to-eat (RTE), and heat-and-eat fresh prepared foods—has surged to the forefront.

What was once a peripheral segment has now become central to the retail foodservice sector’s growth. This shift can be traced back directly to the adoption of Foodservice Solutions® Five P’s of Fresh Food Marketing, a strategic framework developed by the Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson, in 1994. These Five P’s have since become the foundational pillars for foodservice innovation and growth, offering a blueprint for success in today’s market.

The Five Pillars: An Overview

1.       Portability
Portability has emerged as a key driver in the retail foodservice sector. Hand-held, ready-to-eat foods have become essential in today’s fast-paced world. Consumers prioritize convenience without compromising on quality, making portability a must-have attribute for any successful foodservice offering.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

o    Consumer Demand: The rise of on-the-go lifestyles has led to an increased demand for portable, easy-to-consume meals.

o    Market Expansion: Portability allows brands to target new customer segments, including busy professionals, commuters, and younger consumers.

o    Higher Margins: Portable food items often command premium pricing due to their convenience factor.

o    Cross-Channel Appeal: Portability enables seamless integration across different retail formats, from grocery stores to convenience stores.

o    Sustained Growth: As portability becomes a standard expectation, brands that excel in this area will see continuous growth in sales and customer loyalty.

2.       Personalization
In today’s market, consumers crave individuality and customization. The ability to personalize meals according to dietary preferences, taste, and portion size has become a significant competitive advantage. Personalization not only enhances customer satisfaction but also drives repeat business.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

o    Customer Loyalty: Personalized options lead to higher customer satisfaction, fostering loyalty and repeat purchases.

o    Increased Average Check: Offering customizable meals often leads to upselling opportunities, increasing the average transaction value.

o    Brand Differentiation: Personalization helps brands stand out in a crowded market, attracting consumers who seek unique dining experiences.

o    Data-Driven Insights: Personalization efforts generate valuable consumer data, allowing for targeted marketing and product development.

o    Flexibility: Brands that offer personalization can quickly adapt to changing consumer preferences, ensuring long-term relevance.

3.       Price
Competitive pricing remains a cornerstone of success in the grocerant niche. However, price is not just about being the cheapest; it’s about providing perceived value. Consumers are willing to pay more for convenience, quality, and the ability to customize their meals, making strategic pricing essential.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

o    Value Perception: Well-priced products that offer convenience and quality drive higher sales volumes.

o    Margin Management: Strategic pricing allows for optimized profit margins without sacrificing customer appeal.

o    Customer Retention: Competitive pricing helps retain price-sensitive customers while still appealing to those seeking premium options.

o    Promotional Leverage: Price promotions can drive short-term sales spikes, bringing in new customers and boosting overall brand awareness.

o    Market Penetration: Competitive pricing strategies can help brands penetrate new markets or demographics, expanding their customer base.

4.       Place
The importance of location in foodservice cannot be overstated. Whether it’s a physical store, a drive-thru, or an online platform, making food easily accessible to consumers is critical. The concept of “place” has evolved, now encompassing not just the physical location but also the channels through which food is delivered to the consumer.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

o    Convenience: Accessible locations or delivery options increase the likelihood of impulse purchases and repeat business.

o    Channel Expansion: Brands that optimize their presence across multiple channels—physical stores, online platforms, and delivery services—capture a larger share of the market.

o    Customer Reach: Strategic placement in high-traffic areas or online can significantly boost visibility and sales.

o    Operational Efficiency: Optimizing location and delivery methods can reduce costs and improve profit margins.

o    Scalability: A strong “place” strategy allows for easy scaling of operations, leading to consistent growth.

5.       Promotion
Effective promotion is the linchpin that ties all other pillars together. In today’s digital age, promotion extends beyond traditional advertising to include social media, influencer partnerships, and interactive customer engagement. The goal is to create a compelling narrative that resonates with consumers and drives them to action.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

o    Brand Awareness: Effective promotion builds brand visibility, attracting new customers and retaining existing ones.

o    Sales Boost: Well-executed promotions can lead to immediate sales increases and long-term brand loyalty.

o    Customer Engagement: Interactive and personalized promotions foster deeper connections with consumers, leading to repeat business.

o    Market Positioning: Strong promotional efforts help establish a brand’s position as a leader in the grocerant niche.

o    ROI: Targeted promotions often result in a high return on investment, driving both sales and profitability.

The Innovation Template: Build, Measure, Learn, Repeat

Foodservice Solutions® has refined a proprietary innovation template that applies the principles of Build, Measure, Learn, and Repeat. This cycle ensures continuous improvement and adaptation, crucial in today’s fast-changing foodservice environment. By building upon the Five P’s, measuring their effectiveness, learning from the results, and repeating successful strategies, brands can stay ahead of the curve.

Why It Matters for Sales and Profits:

·         Continuous Improvement: This iterative approach allows for constant refinement, ensuring products and strategies remain relevant and effective.

·         Risk Mitigation: By measuring results and learning from them, brands can minimize risks associated with new product launches or promotional efforts.

·         Scalability: The template provides a scalable framework that can be applied across different markets and consumer segments.

·         Agility: Brands that adopt this approach can quickly respond to market changes, ensuring sustained growth.

·         Long-Term Success: The cycle of continuous innovation leads to long-term customer satisfaction, loyalty, and profitability.

Think About This: A Blueprint for Modern Foodservice Success

The grocerant niche is not just a trend; it is the future of retail foodservice. By embracing the Five P’s of Food Marketing—Portability, Personalization, Price, Place, and Promotion—along with the innovation template of Build, Measure, Learn, and Repeat, foodservice brands can drive sales, enhance profitability, and ensure long-term success. As consumer behavior continues to evolve, these pillars will remain critical in meeting the demands of today’s dynamic market.

Success does leave clues. One clue that time and time again continues to resurface is “the consumer is dynamic not static”.  Regular readers of this blog know that is the common refrain of Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Our Grocerant Guru® can help your company edify your brand with relevance.  Call 253-759-7869 for more information. 

Fresh Fruit Snacks Drive Frequency

 

Getting fresh hot French fries at a drive-thru is convenient enjoyable and a treat.  More and more consumers are looking for a treat that is “better-for-you” according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®

One of the hallmarks of the Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food grocerant niche is the addition of consumer-focused snacks and meal complements that have the ‘halo’ of ‘better-4-you.  In fact regular readers if the blog know that the ‘halo’ of ‘better-4-you’ is a Grocerant Guru® success clue.

Once again let’s look at a new survey from Del Monte Foods Inc. and see just what it revealed.

The new Del Monte Foods survey, which tracked snacking attitudes and behaviors for U.S. consumers, found that more than two-thirds of adults are reaching for fruit when they want to feel their best. They are also seeking to relive the joy of their childhood snacks, with fruit cups and fruit snacks topping the list of snacks they wish were more geared toward adults. Now let’s did a bit deeper. 

So, the findings show “a majority of general consumers regularly replace meals with snacks, with parents especially likely to "snackstitute." Additionally, while taste, nutritional content and convenience top the list of what people are looking for in snacks, fruit, in particular, is a key component of what snackers are missing.

·         As the act of "joy snacking" has gained popularity in recent months, fueling up with fruit is one of the best pick-me-ups. More than two-thirds of adults reach for fruit-based snacks when they want to feel their best — which is significantly higher than any other snack options.

·         Adults are missing their favorite childhood snacks like fruit cups, and parents intentionally seek out snacks that can be enjoyed by both kids and adults. More than a quarter of adults, and almost half of parents, wish fruit cups were more geared toward adults.

·         Nearly all adults crave more refreshing snacks in the summer.

·         Parents are especially in need of snacks on-the-go, both for their kids and themselves. More than three-quarters of adults (85 percent parents vs. 70 percent nonparents) say convenience and portability are qualities they consider when purchasing snacks.

·         Snacks remain a universally enjoyed, consistent activity for all, but parents are more likely to replace meals with snacks. A majority of adults regularly replace meals with snacks, with parents much more likely to do so (eight in 10 parents vs. two-thirds of nonparents).

·         Fruit is a key component of what is currently missing from snacks. Taste and nutritional content top the list of what people are looking for in snacks, with more than a quarter of adults saying snacks are lacking in fruits.

Just in case you thought that the survey was completely objective it was timed with the release of two new flavors of Del Monte's Fruit Refreshers, adult portable fruit snack cups which meet the need for nutritious, delicious and convenient snacks, and give consumers a grown-up version of the fruit cups they've been missing, according to the maker.

Del Monte Foods Brand Manager Chris Kocur, stated, "We're thrilled to learn a bit more about the snacking attitudes of our consumer base and to be able to meet their desires with our Fruit Refreshers product line," … "The new flavors, Pineapple & Mango in Prickly Pear Flavored Fruit Water and Peaches in Honeysuckle Flavored Fruit Water, provide a delicious, convenient and refreshing snack for busy parents and adults in need of a mid-afternoon pick me up, or those who are looking for a grown-up version of the fruit cups they loved as children."

Looking for success clues of your own? Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced food marketing and business development ideations. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities, technology, or a new menu product segment.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit us on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter