Lacking a Cook for Scratch Skill-Set Restaurants Are the Answer

 

Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food continues to drive customer migration in every sector of retail foodservice today according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

That migration is creating both food channel disrupting and opportunity. Johnson stated, “Recent Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant ScoreCards found 84.9 percent of meals eaten at home at a least one Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat meal component. Lacking the skill-set to cook many value convenience over time. With 82% of shoppers say convenience is extremely or very important to them; for Millennials, this number rises to 87%, while for Boomers+, it is only 77%.

Bill Wilson recently asked, what do Gen Z and Millennials fear these days? Rising interest rates and the economy are two possibilities, but according to Cleo one certain concern is buying groceries.

Here is more of what that Cleo surveyed 1,000 Americans aged 18-44, and found. 

1.       52% said buying groceries was their biggest worry.

2.       Coming in at a distant second was transportation costs (22%) and rent (13%).

3.       In addition, 38% said they are worried they will not be able to afford groceries due to inflation in the future, and 26% of employed respondents indicated they have turned to government-assisted programs like SNAP, food banks and food stamps for groceries in the past year.

The Cleo research also revealed that higher-priced groceries had younger consumers pivoting with the way they shop, as 31% came up with a different strategy and 43% used buy now, pay later services to shop for groceries. A total of 46% said food inflation greatly affected their household budget.

Regular readers of this blog know that A survey of grocery shoppers’ spending habits and attitudes by FMI – The Food Industry Association, conducted by The Hartman Group, revealed that while U.S. shoppers remain concerned about rising food prices, consumers are less likely to cut back on the number of items they purchase. 

Among shoppers who are concerned about rising food prices, only 32% of shoppers in February reported buying fewer items as a strategy to address rising prices, down from 41% in October. Instead, shoppers continue to look for deals across multiple channels – supermarkets, mass retailers, club stores and online – to mitigate the impact of higher food prices on their budgets. Now think about the opportunity to extend your brand into an at home meal component.

Food price concerns cut across shopper demographics, but Boomers are more worried about rising food prices than any other group, with 80% showing concern in February 2023 versus 69% in October 2022. Millennials polled close behind with 76% saying they are concerned, 5% more than one year ago. Such concerns about food costs coincide with an increase in spending in this inflationary environment. In February, on average, consumers spent $164 per week on groceries, up from $148 in both October and February of 2022.

For international corporate presentations, regional chain 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 GrocerantGuru.com, FoodserviceSolutions.US or call 1-253-759-7869

Jamba Polishes Up Marketing Partnership

 

Garnering Gen Z and Millennial consumers is the goal of all food marketing professionals.  At Jamba that focus created new brand electricity while garnering the targeted consumers according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Spring has come and Summer is just around the corner. This Summer style just got brighter as Jamba has teamed up with Color Dept. to drop a new, limited-edition nail polish collection inspired by Jamba's crave-worthy smoothies that will add a bold pop of color to your day.

Talking about polishing up your targeted marketing.  When Jamba teamed up with Color Dept. to drop a new, limited-edition nail polish collection inspired by Jamba’s crave-worthy smoothies. Food marketers knew it was timed right, positioned right, and targeting their consumers according to Johnson.  

In case you did not know, the bright and colorful set introduces four curated and smoothie-inspired nail polish colors that ensure your summer style is just as vibrant as your favorite Jamba smoothie. While supplies last, beauty lovers nationwide can get their hands on the Jamba x Color Dept. nail polish collection, sold as a 4-pack nail kit, at ColorDept.com/Products/JambaKit:

·         Mango-a-Go-Go: A bright summery yellow inspired by the mango and pineapple flavors found in this whirl'd famous smoothie

·         The Go Getter: A vivid green that celebrates this super blend smoothie's matcha green tea and vitamin-rich kale

·         Razzmatazz: The perfect berry pink hue inspired by the combination of strawberries, bananas and orange sherbet

·         Peach Perfection: A fresh pink-orange polish that highlights this smoothie's peach, mango and strawberry ingredients

 

Julie Sariñana, founder of Color Dept, stated, "These colors are as uplifting as the energy I feel every time I step into my local Jamba to get my favorite smoothie – the Razzmatazz," says. "The collection is an iconic addition to anyone's polish arsenal this summer, which is when we tend to see more upbeat and playful colors."

So, the nail polish line is an expression of Jamba's "Just Gotta Jamba" brand campaign, which celebrates the craveability fans feel for our delicious smoothies, juices and bowls. From the polish colors featured within to the custom collection packaging designed to reflect Jamba store colors, this collection aims to match the upbeat vibes of both Jamba and Color Dept. fans.

Danielle Fisher, vice president of marketing at Jamba, stated, "Jamba inspires individuality and joyful authenticity through customizable menu items to meet you exactly where you are in your day, whether it's grabbing The Go Getter on your way to work or enjoying a Razzmatazz for an afternoon pick-me-up," .... "The nail polish collection with Color Dept. is no exception – no matter how you choose to express yourself, these colors are a fun way to take your favorite Jamba smoothies with you wherever you go."

The 4-pack nail kit is priced at $29.99, and like all Color Dept. products, is plant-based, vegan and cruelty-free. Now while supplies last, consumers nationwide can visit ColorDept.com/Products/JambaKit to purchase, with orders beginning to ship on May 1, 2023.

Don't forget a smoothie to match your nails – order online, in the Jamba app or in stores. Plus, Jamba Rewards members earn points with every purchase that can be redeemed during future visits.

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.” 

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, developing brands, unique urban clothing, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different. 

Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  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

At Burger Patch Success Equals Build, Measure, Learn, and Repeat

 

Success does leave clues. One clue that you on the right path is ‘listening’ to your customers.  There are several ways that companies do that today but still one of the best ways is very simple.  Ask them how you are doing.  Then follow-up with how could we do better.  That according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

When your consumer move restaurants need to move with them.  Burger Patch has done just that and done it well in the opinion of Johnson.   Johnson suggests, that they are following Foodservice Solutions® time tested four simple steps for continues success: Build, Measure, Learn, and Repeat.  Consumers are dynamic not static your brand must be dynamic as well.

Our Grocerant Guru® believes Burger Patch is on the right track by recalibrating its price, value, service equilibrium with the information it garners from consumers.  Here is Foodservice Solutions® current price value, service equilibrium formula:  Price + Quality + Social + Portability = Value.

Recently Burger Patch announced a series of ten sweeping customer-focused updates today under the umbrella “Burger Patch XTRA”. In response to over 5,000 customer surveys, comments, reviews and emails received over the past four years, the chain recently nominated by VegNews for “Best Vegan Fast-Food” in the nation, revealed the program which aims to provide XTRA value, XTRA savings and XTRA options.

So, having now served well over 500,000 loyal #PatchPeople since opening doors to their first brick and mortar store in 2019, Burger Patch analyzed thousands of historical customer data points for purchase and word trends to respond with specific updates to products, pricing and programs. Prominent themes included an inflation-fueled chorus asking for increased price flexibility, value and loyalty incentives.

The list of ten new updates launching with Burger Patch XTRA includes the following:

·         XTRA Patch Value Combos - $3 off over 200 new combinations of entrees, sides and drinks

·         XTRA Large Burgers – 20% more meat in every patty and 50% larger than comparable chains

·         XTRA Value Priced Items – new $4.99 Fun-Size Shakes & large Fry Baskets

·         XTRA Volume Discounts – 33% off with purchase of three homemade Patch Side Sauces

·         XTRA Items From Seasonal Favorites – Patch Tots & Hunny Mustard now available permanently

·         XTRA Kids Meals – 33% off new Grilled Cheeze, Patch Tots & Fun Size Shake kids combo

·         XTRA Big Discounts – new 15% off for students & military

·         XTRA Customizations – Dozens of new lower-priced options to personalize a burger, basket or bowl

·         XTRA Savings – Money back when excluding select ingredients from items, plus new lower prices

·         XTRA Perks – Redeem Patch Points for free delivery, free entrées, 15% off & cash back from $1 to $5

 

Burger Patch co-founder Phil Horn, stated, “Inflation has hit everyone hard,” ... “Through our surveys, it was clear that many of our regulars are making tough financial decisions to meet their monthly budgets which has impacted their ability to visit us as much as they would like. Our customers deserve extra, not less. Our new Burger Patch XTRA platform gives our Patch People a delicious, convenient meal to look forward to a little more often again.”

This new program becomes even more attractive with the ability to double-down and layer select discounts and combos. By registering for a free Patch Perks account in the Burger Patch app, customers can earn Patch Points for each purchase and redeem those points for discounts like $3 off on top of the $3 already saved with the new Patch Value Combos. The same goes for students – show your student ID in-store and receive an additional 15% off the new combo prices. Plus, new members will receive a free Patch Burger perk in the app for a limited time. Select XTRA products and pricing are available exclusively for pickup or delivery in-store, at burgerpatch.com or the Burger Patch app where customers can save up to 30% over 3rd party ordering platforms.

In case you did not know, since launching with Sacramento pop-ups in 2017, Burger Patch has expanded to multiple locations throughout Northern California in addition to their dedicated K.I.N.D. Lab kitchen of innovation and discovery. Serving a loyal following of both plant-based and “veg-curious” meat-eating diners, over half a million customers have joined them on a delicious mission of feeding kindness for the planet, animals and community. Voted a top 5 overall burger, and the number one vegan restaurant in Sacramento, the eatery is also known for their custom-crafted plant-based innovations including Smashwraps and award-winning Earth Quake Shakes.

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.