Salad and Go Grocerant Mix and Match Meal Bunding

 

One of the hallmarks driving the success of the grocerant niche is Mix and Match meal bunding according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Today grocerant niche meals and meal components are driving top line sales and bottom-line profits in every sector of retail foodservice.

When asked where Americans get dinner, most (77%) commonly eat at home or cook for themselves. 50% say they regularly get takeout or pick up, 31% say they go to restaurants, and 3% say they use a meal subscription box.

So, this new bundle from Salad and Go has both breakfast and lunch covered by offering a choice of a cold brew (or any 24 oz. drink), any breakfast burrito and any salad or wrap with chicken or tofu all for just $9.99.

Salad and Go was recently called emerging salad industry disruptor, in one article and the team at Foodservice Solutions® believe that Salad and Go could very well be just that.  At Salad and Go its focus is directly on the grocerant niche as they have “one-stop shop” for all meals of the day with its new “On the Go” bundle. Designed with customers on the move in mind, the new bundle has both breakfast and lunch covered by offering a choice of a cold brew (or any 24 oz. drink), any breakfast burrito and any salad or wrap with chicken or tofu all for just $9.99.

Currently, the “On the Go” bundle is now available daily during breakfast hours (Monday through Friday from 6:30 – 10 a.m. and Saturday through Sunday from 7 – 11 a.m) from any one of Salad and Go’s drive-thru locations as well as through digital online ordering at saladandgo.com or using the Salad and Go mobile app. 

Charlie Morrison, CEO of Salad and Go, stated, “Salad and Go is explicit in our commitment to providing fresh, affordable and convenient food for all, and the On the Go bundle makes it abundantly clear that we never at any point in the day take a break from this mission,” … “This unique deal saves our customers both time and money like never before, proving that fitting healthy and delicious food into a busy schedule doesn’t have to be such a costly hassle.” 

In case you did not know, beyond the options available with the bundle, Salad and Go’s full menu includes an endless range of made-to-order salads, wraps, breakfast burritos and soup, a line-up of hand-crafted lemonades and teas, cold brew coffees and other nutritious options for kids. The beloved salad chain recently added a refreshing Mango Ginger Cooler and flavorful vegan Corn Tortilla Soup as two new craveable and appetizing food and drink options. 

With a business model different enough to garner attention, Salad and Go is on a mission to make fresh, nutritious food convenient and affordable to ALL. The concept is an industry disruptor, making meals that are not only convenient and affordable, but good for the guest and the local community. The use of raw, fresh ingredients in chef-curated recipes offer nutrient rich meals that are delicious and satisfying. All menu items at Salad and Go are made to order with quality, fresh ingredients. Built on a model of speed and efficiency, Salad and Go is able to serve made-to-order meals quickly and at exceptionally low prices. Salad and Go was founded in 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona. The company currently operates over 50 locations across Arizona and Texas.

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

To-Go Packing Can Drive To-Go Food Sales

Building top-line sales, and bottom-line profits is the goal of all fresh food retailers.  Success within the grocerant niche filled with Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food requires packaging that keeps hot food hot and cold food cold as a minimum according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

The ability of any food retailer to brand their packaging with their tame or local is key according to Johnson.  That branding can be a simple as placing a ‘sticker’ with your name, logo, or phone number.  Y-Pulse recently conducted a new nationwide survey, and insight from that survey suggests that takeout and delivery programs are much more than a convenience for young adult consumers. A well-crafted takeout and delivery program can build awareness, encourage new product trial and strengthen relationships with this sought-after primary and secondary demographic.

So, the Y-Pulse surveyed 670 U.S. consumers between the ages of 18 and 34 nationwide in March 2022. Participants were asked questions about specific aspects of their food and dining experiences at home and away from home. In the survey the consumer female to male ratio was 59-to-58, respectively. Of those consumers surveyed, 346 live in a one- or two-person household and 324 live in a household of three people or more.

These foodservice primary and secondary targeted demographic young adult consumers are well known for their tech savvy behavior especially when it comes to restaurant ordering and engagement. Foodservice operators often rely on social media to stay engaged with their customers however, takeout and delivery programs can play a powerful role in building business and customer connections. While 62% of the survey respondents said they engage their favorite restaurants on social media, 75% said they like to visit a restaurant to pick up takeout food.

Renee Ragin, chef partner at Chicago’s Kite String Cantina, stated, “offered expansive meal kits during pandemic-mandated restrictions. She noted that its customers enjoyed coming to the restaurant to pick up meals even if it was just to chat from a distance with the windows open. “By reaching out and staying in touch with customers through social media and word of mouth, we were able to expand our reach to people who may have never even set foot in our establishment but liked what we were doing,”.

There is no doubt that the results of this new study point to the sustained ability of takeout to build customer connections. Eighty-three percent of respondents to the study agreed that they were willing to drive a distance to pick up food from a restaurant they really liked. Seventy-two percent of the 18-34 year old’s who participated in this study also said they would buy grocery items at a local restaurant.

Sharon Olson, executive director of Y-Pulse stated, “There is an important business-building aspect of takeout and delivery programs that may be overlooked because most foodservice operators often focus on the technical aspects of order accuracy and delivering a taste experience that travels well,” .. “The majority of participants in our survey said they like to try new restaurants and new menu items when they order takeout or delivery.”

This particular study findings suggest that a well-considered takeout and delivery program can build awareness for restaurants, with 70% of respondents saying they have learned about new restaurants because of a unique takeout offering. Trial of new items can be encouraged by the takeout menu as well. Seventy-nine percent reported that they like to try new things on the restaurant’s menu when they order meals to go.

While there is no denying the convenience of delivery for the majority of those who participated in this survey. It is clear that, delivery is also an opportunity to build customer relationships as 82% of survey participants said they prefer to order directly from a restaurant rather than a delivery service. How well do you understand the demand for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food?

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 

Dinner America’s Melting Pot Forces Change for All Food Retailers

Most of you have hear this quote from Guy Fieri “Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat.”

Today the U.S. multicultural population is projected to grow by 98 million people in the coming decades, multicultural shoppers will continue to have significant influence in determining what’s for dinner; according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Recent research titled Multicultural The Why? The Behind The Buy™ provides insight into the preferences of U.S. Hispanic, African American and Asian American shoppers that will continue to drive change.  Here is some of what they found:

·         More multicultural shoppers enjoy grocery shopping. Seventy-two percent of African American shoppers, 65 percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers and 61 percent of Asian American shoppers reported this versus 56 percent of White/Caucasian (Non-Hispanic) shoppers.

·         Shopping with other people is more common among multicultural groups. Seventy-two percent of Asian American shoppers, 67 percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers and 63 percent of African American shoppers reported shopping with others during their routine, regular grocery trips versus 55 percent of White/Caucasian (Non-Hispanic) shoppers.

·         Multicultural shoppers purchase groceries across more channels than total U.S. shoppers. Twenty-three percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers reported shopping in a Hispanic/Ethnic grocery store in the past six months versus three percent of total U.S. shoppers.

Multicultural Shoppers Are Engaged with Brands

·         Forty-nine percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers and 46 percent of Asian American shoppers agreed that they buy grocery brands that are authentic to their ethnic heritage.

·         Sixty-five percent of African American shoppers and 59 percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers agreed that they are passionate about their favorite grocery brands.

·         Compared to total U.S. shoppers, more multicultural shoppers agreed that they buy brands that are socially responsible.

Convenient Meal Solutions Are Important

·         More multicultural shoppers brought grocery prepared foods home in the past thirty days. Seventy-six percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers reported doing this in the past month versus 59 percent of White/Caucasian (Non-Hispanic) shoppers.

·         Seventy-six percent of Asian American shoppers reported ordering from a restaurant for pick-up/carry-out in the past 30 days versus 53 percent of White/Caucasian (Non-Hispanic) shoppers.

Multicultural Shoppers Comfortable with Grocery Digital

·         Forty-four percent of U.S. Hispanic shoppers reported reading a digital grocery flyer versus 35 percent of total U.S. shoppers.

·         Thirty-eight percent of African American shoppers reported using a search engine to find recipes online versus 28 percent of total U.S. shoppers.

·         Thirty-seven percent of Asian American shoppers reported using a shopping list on their mobile device versus 26 percent of total U.S. shoppers.

If you are looking for a new partnership to drive sales consider Acosta? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? 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.

Food Manufactures Evolving into Grocerant Fresh too Drive Sales

Regular readers of this blog know Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® has for years encouraged legacy food manufactures to evolve in grocerant Niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food branded manufactures. Well that day has come when a nationally known brand has stepped-up and now stands out according to Johnson.

Helping consumers achieve their goals is proving good business at WW, formerly known as Weight Watchers.  Focused on the consumers desire for ‘better for you’ fresh food WW Fresh Quick Prep Meals are now at more than 200 Hy-Vee locations across the Midwest. The chef-inspired meals are nutritionist-approved and ready to eat in 10 minutes or less.

Stacey Mowbray, president of North America at New York-based WW  stated “People are looking for nutritious meals that they can put together quickly at home, work or even on the go,” … “Our WW Fresh meals feature quality ingredients inspired by WW Freestyle, our most livable and effective program ever, making it easier than ever to enjoy delicious meals without spending time prepping and cooking.”

WW Fresh meals serve two people and range in price from $14 to $20. With all ingredients pre-prepped and proteins pre-cooked, meals are ready in three simple steps: combine, heat and eat. The following six meals are rolling out at Hy-Vee grocery stores now:

·         Beef Baja Bowl with Fire-Roasted Corn and Black Beans: Mexican flavors define this beef and veggie-loaded dish with green and red peppers, beans, onions, and corn topped with pico de gallo and crispy tortilla strips. (Six SmartPoints value per serving)

·         Grilled Chicken Tacos with Roasted Chipotle Sauce and Pineapple Slaw: With a roasted-chipotle sauce as well as a lime salsa, these chicken tacos have just the right amount of kick. Enjoy them with the sweet slaw on the side or loaded into the tacos for crunch. (Five SmartPoints value per serving)

·         Two-Cheese Butternut Squash Rotini with Bread Crumbs: A healthier version of mac-n-cheese with butternut squash, cheddar, parmesan and a crispy panko bread crumb topping. (12 SmartPoints value per serving)

·         Dragon Bowl with Thai Peanut Sauce: A hearty vegan meal packed with nutritious ingredients — quinoa, butternut squash and baby broccoli — and dressed up with a bold and flavorful spicy-sweet peanut sauce and a spritz of lime. (Eight SmartPoints value per serving)

·         Creamy Cavatappi with Parmesan, Chicken and Mushrooms: Rich like classic pasta Alfredo, this dish adds chicken breast, earthy mushrooms and asparagus to the mix. (Seven SmartPoints value per serving)

·         Lemon, Chicken & Kale Salad with Parmesan and Almonds: This dinner salad starts with greens and layers in chicken, cherry tomatoes and carrots. Honey-lemon dressing, parmesan and almonds are the finishing touches. (Seven SmartPoints value per serving)

WW required a new partnership with Blue Apron to drive success.  Today, new partnerships can drive sales in foodservice today as your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands new electricity? 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, beer, 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. 

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? 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

Wings Delivered Too Drive Sales at Wingstop

Wingstop in an effort to captivate customer attention in the competitive ‘hot wing’ sector is going to increase its personalized convenience-driven messaging as it kicks off plans to rollout delivery nationwide according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. So, how are you edifying you branded relevance with consumers?

Recently, Wingstop announced rollout national delivery.  That rollout began by launching delivery in the Los Angeles and Houston markets through Wingstop’s exclusive national delivery partner, DoorDash. The national rollout builds upon the successful delivery tests conducted in Las Vegas, Chicago, Austin, and Denver. In retail foodservice today, partnerships work according to Johnson.

New partnerships can drive sales in foodservice today as your brand is searching for the new electricity to help drive the brand forward. So, just what is your brands new electricity? 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. 

The Wingstop and DoorDash partnership kickoff is offering free delivery in Los Angeles through Sunday, December 2. In Houston, delivery launched on November 28, and Wingstop and DoorDash are offering free delivery for an entire week beginning, Monday, December 10 through Sunday, December 16. For free delivery of Wingstop’s made-fresh, hand-sauced and tossed wings, and our famous fries and sides, hungry fans must utilize the Wingstop or DoorDash websites or mobile apps.

Stacy Peterson, chief experience officer of Wingstop stated “The future of dining is delivery. “And we believe that the national partnership with DoorDash is the best way for us to deliver Wingstop flavor to the doors of our fans. So, we are excited to begin the official national delivery rollout in two of our largest markets, Los Angeles and Houston. We plan to rollout delivery to 80 percent of our system by the end of 2019.” Is your brand looking for a new electricity or a new partnership to drive sales?

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 Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

Zoup! Expanding the Brand

Consumers are dynamic not static and brands need to be dynamic as well according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based global food grocerant consultancy Foodservice Solutions®. The line between all sectors of retail foodservice continue to blur and restaurant brand marketers need to drive sales in every relevant customer facing channel according to Johnson.

Zoop! CEO Eric Ersher and his team created Zoup! Chicken Broth for retail to help break the boundaries of taste on retail shelves and develop a broth that in his words “was good enough to drink,”. The chicken broth is prepared in kettles using restaurant-quality cooking methods and standards. This traditional, super-premium broth is made in small batches using the freshest and finest ingredients.

Bursting with comforting chicken flavor that tastes homemade, Zoup! Chicken Broth is the perfect base for home chefs, cooks, and dads helping out in the kitchen.  This quality stock/broth works well for a hearty chicken soup, casseroles, rice or grain dishes, and other recipes that call for chicken broth. It is also low in calories, paleo-friendly / zero carbs, and completely free of hormones, gluten, GMO’s, fat, trans fat and saturated fat.

Ersher stated “The world didn’t need another chicken broth,”… “What it needed was one that tasted better. We’ve been refining this broth recipe for over 18 years, shortly after getting into the soup business. Zoup!’s clean ingredient deck, exceptional quality, and complex yet balanced flavor, make it unlike anything else you’ll find on shelves. It’s the broth you’d make yourself if you had the time.”

Available in original and low sodium varieties at natural and mainstream markets across the country, Zoup! Chicken Broth is sold in 31 fl oz glass jars to showcase the broth’s delicious golden color. The SRP is $6.95 per jar.

Zoup! got its start in the soup business as a fast-casual franchise chain of restaurants. The family-friendly locations serve award-winning soups year-round at nearly 100 locations across the U.S. and Canada.

Eric Ersher and the Zoup!  Were interested in leveraging their industry experience and bringing restaurant quality taste to the retail market,  team set out to create a super-premium broth lineup that was good enough to drink. The broth is currently available at 4,000 retail locations nationwide. Are you expanding your brand? 

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.