Hungry Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat Grocerant fresh prepared Food is for You

Cooking from scratch is something you read about in history books more than you see in today’s world according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. While   the US unemployment rate hit a 50 year low last month Americans continue to crave traditional meals but don’t the time to cook them from scratch or the still-set to cook from scratch.

Today, Millennials are starting families and tech-savvy.  However, they lack the motivation to prep food, cook food, or do dishes according to Johnson.  This has become a huge problem for grocery stores as consumer drift away from raw, food to seeking fresh prepared meals and or meal components that are either Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat components that can be mix and matched into a customized family meal.

So, let’s look at some facts:

1.       63% of all restaurant traffic is now ‘off-premise’

2.       69% of U.S. adults have viewed a restaurant menu online is the past year

3.       50% of U.S Millennials are more likely to have restaurant food delivered than they were two years ago

4.       43% of U.S. adults are more likely to incorporate a restaurant prepared meal component into their home meal than they were two years ago

5.       44% of U.S. adults have placed an online order for restaurant takeout/delivery in the past year

There is no secret here Millennials are living a fast-paced life full of instant gratification, it is understandable why Millennials would prefer to buy Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meals and meal components.  It’s not just Millennials, Gen X, and Baby Boomers are also seeking solutions to simplify an increasingly complex world fill with more technology than most can use, understand or want.

While the price of food purchased at restaurants is twice that of food purchased at grocery stores, and have more than double the general inflation rate. A study shows that in 2018, grocerants witnessed over 11 billion dollars in sales. It is key to note that over 40 percent of the U.S. population purchases prepared foods from grocery stores.

Remember Millennials seek convenience over most other aspects of meal planning.   That fact alone will drive continue customer migration from traditional avenues of fresh food distribution too new non-traditional avenues of distribution for meals and meal components.  Does your retail outlet look more like 1990?  Are you doing what you have always done?  How is that working for you?  Are your customer counts growing? If they are not, you might want to call the Grocerant Guru®.

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit www.GrocerantGuru.com , www.FoodserviceSolutions.us or call 1-253-759-7869

Locali's Quinoa Bowls Extend the Brands Reach

Grocerant niche ‘better-for-you’ Locali’s is continues to drive the halo of better-for-you- foods beyond the current  health-conscious convenience store and neighborhood deli according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Locali, is now extending it quality food offerings with four pre-packaged vegan and gluten-free quinoa salad bowls in Whole Foods Market stores throughout Southern California.  Regular readers of this blog know that  Locali, has locations in Hollywood, West Hollywood, Venice and Downtown Los Angeles, is changing the way consumers view healthy eating.

While the line continue to blur for food retailers Locali’s diverse menu of award-winning, “last meal-worthy” salads, sandwiches, smoothies has captured the attention of influential companies across the nation, and was asked to cater an event at the United State of Women Summit in May 2018, in partnership with Postmates. Johnson says think consumer food relevance not C-store, deli, or restaurant the ‘halo’ around Locali’s is fresh quality better-for-you’ food.

Now Whole Foods offers four of Locali’s “Killer Quinoa Bowls,” including: The Big Daddy with quinoa, arugula, vegan and gluten-free chicken marinated in spicy vegan buffalo sauce, celery, black beans and creamy dill dressing; The Krazy Kale with quinoa, shredded kale, black beans, chopped tomatoes, cucumber, sunflower seeds and chipotle lime dressing; The Odyssey with quinoa, spinach, hummus, chickpeas, artichoke tapenade, tomato, cucumber, kalamata olives and creamy dill dressing; and The Deconstructed BLT with quinoa, chopped romaine, tempeh bacon, tomato, avocado and maple mustard dressing.

Has your menu evolved with consumers? Is your menu incremental to your brand? Or is you menu your brand?  How do you plan to evolve your best brand attributes?  Where are you selling your fresh prepared food?  Success does leave clues and growing your brand where your consumers shop for food is a very good clue.

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success

Project Juice Blends Business Models for Success

Success does leave clues and Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® helped restaurateurs, retailers, and entrepreneurs evolve retail foodservice business to garner new customers or to halt customer migration.  While many US based chain restaurants continue to capitulate year over year customer counts those who headed Johnson advice back in the day are finding success today.

Project Juice, a food and beverage company with retail locations in California, announce a new way for customers across the country to experience the company’s award-winning smoothie bar creations in the comfort of their own home. In the minds-eye Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® there is one dominate element that will power success within retail foodservice over the coming years.  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, sustainable packaging, urban farming (produce, seafood, etc.), autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, cash-less payments, digital hand held marketing.

Expanding its business model by introducing Sub-Zero Superfoods, a line of organic superfood smoothies and bowls that ship free nationwide and arrive to customers’ doorsteps “ready-to-blend” (just add liquid). The new products will be available as a commitment-free subscription service via a new website: www.subzerosuperfood.com.

The Ready-2-Blend superfood smoothies and bowls from Project Juice complement the existing business model while elevating the brands reach.  As with all of Project Juice’s food and beverage offerings, the Ready-2-Blend smoothies and bowls are gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and contain organic and locally sourced produce, when available. Consumers are dynamic and brands must be as well.  Here are some of the offerings:

Fruit Smoothies

Acai Chia: Designed to boost immunity and give the skin that beautiful glow, Acai Chia combines blueberries, banana, strawberries, raspberries, wild harvested pure acai, chia seeds and goji berries for a smoothie that is perfectly sweet and tart, and a boon for digestion. Project Juice suggests adding coconut water as the liquid base for a light way to complement the frozen cup contents.

Strawberry Banana Probiotics: Gut health is one of the most important facets of overall wellness, and this smoothie combines the namesake fruits with pineapple, goji berries, chia seeds, coconut oil and vegan probiotics (bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086) for a smoothie that will not only help boost the digestive system, but can help boost cognitive function for sharper focus.

Green Smoothies

Avocado Orange: This smoothie is creamy with the zing of citrus, perfect for a morning pick-me-up. Combining avocado, spinach, kale, spirulina, orange and lime juices this is an immune booster keeps you fueled just right.

Mint Cacao: This formulation is ideal for the kiddo who has a hard time eating veggies, transforming spinach and chlorella into a delightful treat worthy of dessert, with the addition of banana, cacao nibs, dates, coconut oil, and peppermint extract. They’ll never know they aren’t eating superfoods!

Protein Smoothies

Blueberry Protein: Brown rice protein is enhanced with plump blueberries picked in-season, banana, spinach, almond butter, hemp seeds, dates and cinnamon for a blend that is not only great for building strength, but also for cognitive function, making it an incredible breakfast smoothie to power the day.

Coffee Collagen: Two of our favorite functions come together in this recipe - creating energy and increasing collagen production in the skin. Cold-brew coffee, which is less acidic than its alternative, is blended with banana, gluten-free oats, collagen peptides, dates, cacao nibs, MCT oil and cinnamon. These peptides are easily digested and are great for skin health, muscle repair and to getting a good night’s sleep.

Superfood Bowls

Acai Banana Bowl: Certified gluten free oats add umph to this amazing bowl, which blends organic banana, blueberries, wild harvested pure acai, and dates with a blend of superfood granola. Perfect as a post-workout snack, or a morning meal, this bowl can help improve immune function, and helps the digestive system work at its optimum levels. The granola adds the perfect crunch with a hint of maple syrup, pecans, sunflower seeds, flax meal, sesame seeds, chia seeds goji berries and cacao nibs.

Kale Mango Bowl: Picked perfectly in season and frozen to retain nutrients, mango lends its tropical sweet and tart balance to this bowl, which can be incorporated into daily routines for a detoxifying meal. Wild harvested coconut meat adds healthy fats, and banana, kale and superfood, gluten free granola round it out for a bowl that is any meal’s match.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success.

Mix & Matched Meal Components Drive Dinner Day-part Sales

Regular readers of this blog know that grocerant niche mix and match meal component bundling is now the cornerstone of retail foodservice success.  Mix & Match bundling continues to drive customer migration from legacy CPG products, restaurants, and grocery stores to new fresh food products and new avenues of fresh food distribution according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson.

Yes, "the new normal" in food retail requires a shift away from traditional food packaging, points of distribution, and a focus on fresh prepared food rather that pantry stocking according to Johnson. Meal components that focus on healthier choices are an invitation Millennials cannot seem to pass up. .

Our Grocerant Guru® identified, quantified, and qualified the vital role of portability as a major driver of the growth of the grocerant niche and subsequently Technomic revalidated our findings.   of the snacking trend, obvious not only at the drive-thru window, but also with packaged offerings at convenience stores like 7-Eleven, and at "boutique" establishments, like Starbucks.

Today traditional mealtimes are less frequent, less important, less likely than the convenience of fresh prepared meal components that can be consumed immediately, used later as a mix and match meal components for the perfect family meal, cocktail compliment, or meal replacement as a small meal. 

New Non-traditional "dayparts" are emerging.  This is creating quite a conundrum for legacy retailers in both the restaurant sector focused on selling complete meals and legacy grocery stores focused on collecting slotting fees rather than providing consumers incremental fresh food options.

Recent research by InfoScout looked at 77,820 American households who provided daily receipts to the company to determine which off-hour consumers are most apt to head to a restaurant in those times, as well as the overall percentage of visits made by consumers during off-hour dayparts and the basket size during those visits and how that compares with the basket size of traditional mealtimes finding “off-hour meals make up 35 to 48 percent of all trips”.

Food retail has become a battle for share of stomach. The battle for that share of stomach is taking is between all retailers sell food including the ilk of: Convenience Stores, Supermarkets, Dollar stores, Drug stores, Ikea, Liquor stores to name but a few.

In research from CocaCola they found that Millennials average 4.2 meals a day. Clearly Millennials are evolving as food consumers here are some additional facts from the Coca Cola survey: 

1. More than half eat breakfast outside of morning hours. 

2.  30 percent replace one or two meals daily with snacks. 

3. 35 percent eat dinner at restaurants offering "happy hour" deals.

4. 43 percent say they snack more today. 

5. Members of the 18-to-24 age group reported they would go to restaurants more if they stayed open later.

Packaging fresh food meal components and placing those components in avenues of distribution that are representative of the products target market is more important now than ever according to the team at Foodservice Solutions®.    Can your meals be turned into meal components?  Success does leave clues.

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us 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.

Grocerant Niche Fresh Food Flourishes in 2018

What is Grocerant niche fresh food and where can you find it? Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson says “First Grocerant means any retail food item that is Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat and prepared fresh that can be made portable. Grocerant niche fresh prepared food can be found at Fast Food outlets the ilk of McDonalds, Burger King, Convenience Stores the ilk of Sheetz, Rutter’s, 7-Eleven,  Grocery Stores the ilk of Albertsons-Safeway, Wegmans, Kroger, New Seasons Market, Retailers the ilk of IKEA, Tommy Bahamas, Costco, and ABC Liquor stores.”

The word Grocerant is a result of consumer purchasing patterns blurring of the line between restaurants and grocery stores.  The specific word GROCERANT was created, defined, and first published as an Op-Ed article titled: Call Them Grocerants in August 1996 in Foodservice Director and again in 1996 by Nation’s Restaurant News authored by our own Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson to describe the undercurrents of food industry consumer changing eating a buying patterns.

On a side note Johnson and Foodservice Solutions® received a US Trademark for the word Grocerant in 1998, subsequently gave it up to become the Grocerant Guru®. Today Foodservice Solutions® is a retail food consultancy.  Foodservice Solutions® is the global leader within the grocerant niche, a strategic advisor to leading Food Manufactures, Chain Restaurants, Convenience Store, Grocery Stores and Retail companies around the world.

Today a grocerant can be found anywhere a consumer can find fresh prepared food positioned, placed, and priced for the time-starved consumer with Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared meals or meal components that can be bundled into a meal and or packaged for at the location or Take-Out, Take-Away, or To-Go.

Grocerant meals and meal components have become a meal solution platform that retailers have found drives customer loyalty including in liquor stores, drug-stores (Walgreens), fast food restaurants, fast casual restaurants, full-service restaurants, and restaurants inside grocery stores, in legacy “deli” departments, furniture stores (Ikea), club stores (Costco) and clothing stores from Ralph Lauren Cafe, Macy’s, and Nordstrom's.

Using the word Grocerant in a blog byline has help drive daily views of our Grocerant Guru® blog from less than 50 a day back in 2009 to 25,733 unique views per day in 2017 across all our social media platforms. The number of daily views has driven our success, growth, and seemingly some industry competition.  Don’t worry we understand that imitating, copying, replicating our work is the highest from professional flattery we can imagine. We thank all of you, please keep it up. 

At noon your customers are just beginning to think about what's for dinner with 83.4 % not knowing what they are having for dinner. At 4PM 63.6 %of American consumers are still unsure about what's for dinner according to our most recent Grocerant ScoreCards.

Time Starved Consumers are looking for high quality Ready-2-Eat fresh prepared foods and Heat-N-Eat meal components. Today's time starved consumers have no desire to cook from scratch. They want to purchase fresh prepared meal components that they can bundle into a customized family meal that will please everyone without spending time cooking.

For international corporate presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us  the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert and public speaking will leave success clues for all. Visit: www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information

Grocerant Guru Foodservice Transparency equals Authenticity

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson reminds regular viewers of this blog that ‘less is more’ in the minds-eye of the consumer and transparency in labeling, packaging, and menus equals authenticity in the minds-eye of the consumers and that builds loyalty.

In a new report form the Food Marketing Institute titled: U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2017 found that “when it comes to how retail channels meet consumers’ need for transparency, natural and organic, online-only, club, fresh-focused, and midmarket traditional grocery stores make the top of the list. Conversely, retail channels trailing in transparency include: convenience, discount, supercenter, limited, dollar, drug and value-focused.”

FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin stated  “In the competitive food retail landscape and in an age in which information moves faster and faster, the consumer demand for clear and honest answers offer a zip-line to confidence in the complex food system,” “[Consumers] can handle the truth, and the information they do want to know, they want delivered in a clear, forthright, trustworthy and easy-to-find way that conveys some sense of vulnerability and openness. This is a crucial area because I think honest clarity is the currency of trust in the digital age.”

According to Trends, while less traditional retailers enjoy more grocery traffic and shopper loyalty, 8 percent of shoppers still claim to have “no primary store.” Limited assortment (25 percent), natural (17 percent), convenience (11 percent), ethnic (11 percent) and online-only (11 percent) food stores are increasingly frequented by shoppers; however, 45 percent of consumers who do have a primary store view it as an ally in their wellness pursuits.

Is direct to consumer the next big wave of disruption targeting traditional grocery stores? FMI data also suggests that millennials have become more comfortable with using online shopping for their grocery needs, although they still order only a limited amount of food products online.  Without doubt this is a trend picking up in urban centers and spreading across the country.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869

Snap Kitchen a Retail Delight

Foodservice Solutions® found while routinely conducting Grocerant ScoreCards that customers were ‘delighted’ and felt a sense of enlighten discovery after visiting Snap Kitchen according to our own Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson.

Snap Kitchen makes healthy, handmade meals from scratch for consumers who want fast food that isn't junk food. Think of Snap Kitchen this way Snap Kitchen is ‘better-for-you’ fast comfort food according to Johnson.  Foodservice Solutions® recently found that at 4 PM 64.7% of people do not know what’s for dinner. 

Consumers don’t want just ‘Grab-N-Go’ they want the ability to have a family meal that is ‘better-for-you’ yet fast to prepare.  That’s the primary driver of the rapid growth of grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-n-Eat fresh prepared food in every sector of retail foodservice today. Snap Kitchen is attempting to pair the ease of convenience with quality, healthy food in multiple channels simultaneously.

Snap Kitchen understand that consumers want the ability to mix and match meal components into the perfect family meal fast.  Thus Snap Kitchen meal components range from gluten-free, paleo, vegan, and other diets. Where does the delight come in? Simple most meals and meal components  have a shelf life of five to seven days so you don’t have to shop every day.  

One important finding from the Grocerant ScoreCards was Snap Kitchen has meal components for all day-parts from breakfast offerings that include “almond butter maple pancakes (180 calories) for $4.79 and chicken sausage egg tacos (300 calories) for $5.49. Lunch and dinner options include brisket hash (under 500 calories), shrimp and chorizo paella (370 calories) and soups, salads, snacks and sweets.”

Understanding the evolving consumers is important.  Why is Snap Kitchen a retail delight?  Well look at this finding from Snap Kitchen; “the company's biggest day is Monday, when customers purchase multiple meals for the week, and the average check for a "mature" store is $25.”  Snap Kitchen understands how customers think.  Do you?  Grocery stores do 20% of their business on Sunday’s.

What day would you like more sales?  The team at Foodservice Solutions® believes that restaurants, grocery stores, convenience stores all need to evolve their business model so that they can provide relevance to consumers.

Extending the halo of ‘better-for-you’ Snap Kitchen has begun operating a wholesale business alongside its retail operation, including ordering online, mobile app, Uber Rush and provides prepared foods to some Whole Foods Markets stores. Where do you sell your branded food?

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?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us

Project Juice Delivery is ‘Better-for-You’

Project Juice, is once again edifying the halo of ‘Better-for-You’ around its brand promise. Project Juice is not only fast-growing, it is a certified organic cold-pressed juice, clean food company, focused on new superfood snacks, teas, supplements and powders that is a grocery store pantry buster with its new nationwide delivery service.

The new delivery platform will help Project Juice delivery their new plant-powered, organic offerings that complement wellness routines to elevate Project Juice’s mission to keep its nationwide community healthy and feeling awesome. The current offerings include:

1.       Project Juice’s Superfood Granola: This handmade Superfood Granola is a perfectly crunch blend of gluten-free oats and nutrient dense superfoods, with a hint of sweetness from pure maple syrup. Loaded with natural vitamins and minerals, it’s high in fiber, with a low glycemic index, making it a great alternative to cereal, especially paired with Project Juice’s sprouted nut mylks. It feels decadently rich paired with dark chocolate chips or cacao nibs on to of dairy free ice cream for a healthy dessert, or is perfect just as an on-the-go snack. Sold as 8oz pack.

2.       Project Juice’s Sprouted Almonds: These premium quality, raw, organic sprouted almonds are a perfect protein, delivering an alkaline dose of healthy fats and fiber. The sprouting process activates essential enzymes, which makes these easier to digest, allowing the body to reap the benefits of the almonds’ nutrients more efficiently. Great as a mid-morning snack or quick post-workout fuel. Sold as (10) single serving size 2oz packs.

3.       Project Juice’s Sprouted Almond Superfood Trail Mix: This synergistic combination pairs activated almonds and pumpkin seeds with the superfruits goji berries and mulberries, which are sun dried, allowing them to keep their nutritious raw qualities. Antioxidant-rich and full of healthy fats, this mix is sweet and crunchy and is a wholesome source of clean nutrition that satisfies cravings and can help stabilize blood sugar levels between meals. Sold as (10) single serving size 2oz packs.

4.       Project Juice’s Superfood Greens Blend Powder: This powder is designed to support the body’s daily detoxifying efforts. It’s a smart combination of alkaline, chlorophyll-rich greens, algae, and fiber, which helps maintain a healthy and efficient digestive system, while supporting the kidneys and liver during their daily detox duties. Used daily, this powder, which is perfect added to any smoothie, can help produce clearer thinking, enhanced energy, more efficient digestion and overall improved health. Sold as 16oz bag.

Non-traditional avenues of branded food distribution continue to expand.  Today brands must utilize all avenues of distribution to build, maintain, and drive incremental brand value.  The consumer is dynamic not static and you brand must be dynamic as well.  Are your products on an avenue of a bygone era?  In an Omni-channel retail word grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food is must be dynamic.

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?  Want one?  Call 253-759-7869 Email: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us