Is your Food Marketing Calander Ready for 2024

 

If you have just a few holes in your restaurant, convenience stores or bodega food marketing Calander or if you have been running behind and have not started. Here are some ideations and according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® “you might want to look at this list of ideations from the restaurantnews.com just in case one of your own ides does not work as planned.

To start with; January is Hot Tea Month, Oatmeal Month and National Blood Donor Month.

“January also kicks off with National Buffet Day and Buffet Week. Special food days for menu marketing include days celebrating Apricots, Beans, Bittersweet Chocolate, Blonde Brownies, Blueberry Pancakes, Buttercrunch, Cheese, Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Covered Cherries, Corn Chips, Creampuffs, Croissants, English Toffee, Hot and Spicy Foods, Marzipan, Milk, Pastrami, Peach Melba, Peanut Brittle, Peanut Butter, Pie, Popcorn, Rhubarb, Shortbread, Spaghetti, Strawberry Ice Cream, Tempura and Whip Cream.

For beverage marketing, warm your guests up with something special on Hot Buttered Rum Day, Hot Toddy Day, Irish Coffee Day and Bloody Mary Day.

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For social media and offline marketing, the following days offer up fun and unique opportunities: Backward Day, Compliment Day, Cuddle Up Day, Ditch New Years Resolutions Day, Dress Up Your Pet Day, Fruitcake Toss Day, Global Belly Laugh Day, Hat Day, Hug Day, Inspire Your Heart with Art Day, Kazoo Day, Make Your Dream Come True Day, Opposite Day, Puzzle Day, Rubber Duckie Day, Science Fiction Day, Sweatpants Day, Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day, Trivia Day and Winnie the Pooh Day.

Also, whether a restaurant owner or guest, be sure to show your appreciation this month by celebrating and honoring Be Kind to Food Servers Month and National Thank You Month.

Here’s your Restaurant Marketing Calendar for January:

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Be Kind To Food Servers Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Oatmeal Month
National Slow Cooking Month
National Soup Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Thank You Month

1 – New Year’s Day
1 – Bloody Mary Day
1 – Commitment Day
2 – National Buffet Day
2 – National Cream Puff Day
2 – National Science Fiction Day
2 – Motivation and Inspiration Day
3 – National Chocolate Covered Cherry Day
3 – National Fruitcake Toss Day
4 – National Spaghetti Day
4 – National Trivia Day
5 – National Whipped Cream Day
5 – National Bird Day
6 – National Bean Day
6 – National Shortbread Day
6 – Apple Tree Day
6 – Cuddle Up Day
7 – National Tempura Day
8 – National English Toffee Day
8 – Clean Off Your Desk Day
8 – Argyle Day
9 – National Apricot Day
9 – National Cassoulet Day
10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
11 – National Hot Toddy Day
11 – National Milk Day
12 – National Marzipan Day
13 – National Peach Melba Day
13 – National Rubber Duckie Day
13 – Make Your Dream Come True Day
14 – National Hot Pastrami Day
14 – Dress Up Your Pet Day
15 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
15 – National Strawberry Ice Cream Day
15 – National Hat Day
16 – National Fig Newton Day
16 – International Hot And Spicy Food Day
16 – National Nothing Day
16 – Appreciate A Dragon Day
17 – National Hot Buttered Rum Day
17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
18 – Winnie The Pooh Day
19 – National Popcorn Day
20 – National Cheese Lovers Day
20 – National Buttercrunch Day
20 – Disc Jockey Day
21 – National Granola Bar Day
21 – National Hug Day
21 – Squirrel Appreciation Day
21 – International Sweatpants Day
22 – National Blonde Brownie Day
22 – Celebration Of Life Day
23 – National Pie Day
23 – National Rhubarb Day
24 – National Peanut Butter Day
24 – Global Belly Laugh Day
24 – Beer Can Appreciation Day
24 – Talk Like a Grizzled Prospector Day
25 – National Irish Coffee Day
25 – Opposite Day
26 – National Peanut Brittle Day
26 – National Spouses Day
27 – National Chocolate Cake Day
27 – Punch The Clock Day
28 – National Blueberry Pancake Day
28 – National Kazoo Day
29 – National Corn Chip Day
29 – Curmudgeons Day
29 – International Puzzle Day
30 – National Croissant Day
31 – Backward Day
31 – Inspire Your Heart with Art Day

Need help generating some buzz for your restaurant marketing efforts? RestaurantNews.com offers an affordable, dependable, effective outlet for your restaurant news.”

Consider visiting  http://www.restaurantnews.com/press-release/.

Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® 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 one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Alert Gen Z and Millennials Still Go Out and Drink

We all know that the world has changed.  Sometimes food retailers get ahead of themselves and throw in the towel if everything is not working as they had planned. Currently the recreational use of cannabis has been legalized in 24 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia. My friends that’s not the end of the world.  That does not mean that you bar sales have gone up in smoke!

In a world riddled with economic uncertainties, the dining industry is undergoing a remarkable transformation, propelled by Gen Z’s insatiable appetite for unique experiences and penchant for affordable, small indulgent food and drink discovery.

Yes, food and beverage discovery.  Regular reads of this blog know that Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® has stated time and time again that mix and match meal component bundling is the mainstay driving continued customer migration and adoption of Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food in every sector of food retail today.

You know that, Gen Z, the largest and most diverse generation with a staggering spending power of $360 billion, craves diversity and personality in their dining experiences. In the post-pandemic world, Gen Z is emerging with a fervent desire for experiences that go beyond the ordinary or offer a respite from the daily grind.

Unique beverages fit the bill perfectly. Craft drinks are a gateway for exploration and indulgence on a budget.  Artisanal lemonades, cold brew coffee, Boba tea are no longer niche treats — they’re the drinks defining Gen Z’s dining experience.

A new report from Botrista, whose DrinkBots automate the production of upscale craft beverages, shows that it’s not just about the drink itself. For a generation who views food and beverage as part of their identity, specialty options are an opportunity for self-expression and indulgence. More than “social lubrication,” as Natalie Battaglia, influencer and founder of The Mindful Mocktail, calls them, drinks have become not only social catalysts but also a healthful indulgence. According to analysis firm Cassandra’s 2022 survey, more than half of Gen Zers believe that what they eat is indicative of who they are as a person.

Interestingly, these new craft beverages do not seem to cannibalize sales of old favorites. For example, a California rice bowl concept witnessed a remarkable 59% surge in sales of carbonated soft drinks after it introduced premium craft beverages made by Botrista’s DrinkBots.  Similarly, a New York-based Mediterranean concept experienced a 14% increase in carbonated soft drink sales after it introduced Botrista’s DrinkBots.  The report found that craft beverages prompt additional customers to order beverages and that this, in turn, prompts other people in the same group to order beverages as well.  So even traditional carbonated soft drinks benefit. 

So restaurants have a chance to capitalize. By expanding drink menus with beverage experts and technology, they can cater to the adventurous Gen Z palate while keeping loyal customers happy. They can increase appeal and sales opportunities for legacy beverages as craft drinks become their partners in attracting and engaging this new cohort of consumers.

As a testament to this transformative shift, the National Restaurant Association projects the food service industry to reach $997 billion in sales for 2023. This figure represents a remarkable 11% increase compared to 2022 and a significant leap from the $789 billion recorded in 2021. In order to capture a slice of this growth, restaurant owners must understand the unique needs and relationship Gen Z has with dining.

The traditional beverage industry now stands at the threshold of a craft drink revolution. Specialty options invite a new generation to enjoy conventional soft drinks as part of a personalized, social experience. The trend is clear: creatively blending traditional and artisanal drinks is the recipe for success.

The grocerant niche is not only surviving but thriving, driven by the insatiable thirst of Gen Z for exceptional experiences, memorable moments, and craft drinks that tell their stories. In this world where the market may be uncertain, one thing remains clear – the future of dining is vibrant and innovative, and it’s served in a glass. So, let’s raise a glass to a world where craft beverages are keys to unforgettable experiences and shared moments! Yes, millennials and Gen Z still DRINK!

Don’t over reach. Are you ready for some fresh ideations? 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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Take-Out Restaurant Meals Were Projected Way UP for Thanksgiving Were Your Sales Up?

 

Gen Z and Millennials had time off during the Thanksgiving break and they did not want to stay home and cook and or wash dishes all weekend.  That according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Once again, it’s all about convenience and cost savings.  In a new study by Popmenu found one-third of consumers (32%) plan to order takeout/delivery for Thanksgiving dinner this year while 17% plan to dine in person at a restaurant. Consumers under the age of 35 are the most likely to lean on restaurants with 42% planning to order takeout/delivery for Turkey Day and 20% planning to dine on-premise.

Let’ see what they found and Why Consumers Are Dining Out:

Consumers are relying on restaurants to supply their entire meal or certain dishes as they celebrate Thanksgiving. When asked why:

·         64% said it’s just easier

·         35% don’t feel like cooking

·         35% prefer professionally cooked food

·         24% estimate that it’s cheaper to order from restaurants than to buy all the ingredients needed to cook Thanksgiving dinner

What They’re Serving

While turkey is, of course, the star of the show, many consumers are featuring other main courses in their Thanksgiving spread. When asked what they plan to serve, consumers reported:

·         77% – turkey

·         42% – ham

·         27% – steak

·         27% – fish

·         20% – vegetarian options

What They Can Expect

Consumers will encounter more digitally-enabled experiences as they interact with restaurants this year. Restaurants partnering with Popmenu are running special online ordering events with limited-time menus featuring all the Thanksgiving fixings for pickup/delivery—multiple restaurants have already booked $10,000 or more in online orders.

With phones ringing off the hook, restaurants are also using AI phone answering technology to field calls, promote specials, and send links to place orders or make reservations.

Popmenu experts offer the following tips to ensure Thanksgiving runs smoothly:

1.       Do your homework. A quick Google search, phone call, or visit to a preferred restaurant’s website can guide you on menu options (with photos), portion sizes, allergens, and required budget for your party size.

2.       Order NOW and directly. Higher demand means restaurants will meet their order limits sooner and preferred pickup times will fill up faster. Order directly from the restaurant’s website to ensure your order gets in and to avoid third-party fees.

3.       Reserve a table yesterday. Popular eateries will book up early. Third-party reservation sites like OpenTable can keep you posted on what’s available in your area.

4.       Be prepared for delays. Even with specific pickup/ delivery windows and reservations, factor in a longer wait for your food (i.e., don’t skip the appetizer).

“More consumers are trading in their aprons for the convenience, taste, and potential cost-savings of having restaurants cook Thanksgiving dinner for them,” says Brendan Sweeney, CEO and Co-founder of Popmenu. “Ideally, you want to place online orders and book reservations a few weeks in advance, but you can still find special menus and deals this week. Check out restaurants’ websites and act quickly.” 

In addition to Thanksgiving, restaurants will play an important part in other popular holidays. One in four consumers (26%) plan to dine at or order takeout/delivery from restaurants for Christmas this year while 36% plan to do so on New Year’s Eve.

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

At Polly’s Pies Mix and Match Meal Bundling is a Grocerant Success Clue

 

Before Polly’s Pies, Eddie Sheldrake played basketball at UCLA for John Wooden. Well, at least that was the story he would tell time and time again when you would go out to dinner with him.  Which by the says he was simply a lot of fun. 

Right along with is wonderful personality, but often over-look was Eddie’s uncanny ability to understand his customers, consumer trends, with the demand for evolving brand continuity.  Restaurants and all fresh food retailers must lean forward and evolve their brands with customer continuity simultaneously according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA base Foodservice Solutions®.

The culture at Polly’s Pies continues with Spring in the air and so is the wonderful aroma from the Polly’s Pies ovens, thanks to new seasonal offerings that are sure to have customers buzzing with good vibes as the weather warms up. Polly’s is focusing on one of the hallmarks of the grocerant niche mix and match meal bundling. 

So, from now to through Mother’s Day on May 14, the popular bakery brand is rolling out its new spring menu, featuring something for everyone. Whether a delectable, hand-crafted dessert is needed to celebrate a fun gathering with friends, the family is craving a scrumptious pie or nothing but a full meal will suffice, Polly’s Pies has it covered.

The limited-time spring menu includes:

·         Strawberry Lemonade Pie: The perfect balance of tart and sweet with a cream cheese base and lemon filling, topped with fresh strawberries in a sweet glaze and finished with a ring of whipped cream and lemon slice garnish to make for a refreshing spring treat.

·         Spring Brunch Bundle: This takeout-only bundle feeds six or more people and features 25 oz. of Orange-Dijon Glazed Slice Ham, a choice of a Savory Breakfast Quiche or a Spinach and Feta Quiche, six freshly baked Buttermilk Biscuits, a jar of Polly’s Signature Bumbleberry Jam and a choice of Apple Pie (topped with a bunny for Easter or a flower for Mother’s Day), Lemon Meringue Pie or Coconut Cream Pie.

·         Breakfast Bundle: Another takeout-only bundle, it boasts a choice of a Savory Breakfast Quiche or a Spinach and Feta Quiche, four Blueberry Muffins, a quart of Breakfast Potatoes and a quart of Fresh Fruit. 

 

Let’s talk relevance, if you want to be a customer of Polly’s Pies, you can.  So, if you want to experience that signature flavor no matter where they live, thanks to the brand’s nationwide online pie shipping. Ranging from $33 - $36 plus varied shipping costs, all pies are handmade every day in Southern California with no preservatives. They are then shipped frozen to keep their superior quality and ready to be baked to enjoy at home. Visit pollypies.com and use the code “spring15” to receive $15 off any purchase of $50 or more.

Ok, here you go, pies currently available for shipping include Apple, Apricot, Blueberry, Boysenberry, Cherry, Peach and Rhubarb. But be sure to also keep a lookout for a selection of seasonal pies to be made available throughout the year.

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. 

Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen Evolving and Growing

 

With 23 units open and running Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen is doing what every young company should be doing evolving its concept while driving new store opening according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  The consumer is dynamic and brands must be dynamic as well.

Bolay is known for its healthy, gluten-free fare and signature ‘Bols,’ will open its first drive-thru location in the heart of South Tampa marking the brand’s 24th location in the nation. The restaurant will host grand opening events and kick off its five-day VIP Week on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.

It will be a special day-of events, that will begin with the Grand Opening Giveaway—where the first 100 guests will receive free Bolay for a year through the BolayGo App—from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. The offer includes one Regular Bol redeemable monthly over the course of 12 months. Participants will check in upon arrival to receive a lanyard before getting in line.

The South Tampa, Grand Opening Day Ribbon Cutting will be held at 2 p.m. Bolay executives, along with Mayor Jane Castor and the South Tampa Chamber, will be in attendance to celebrate the historic moment and welcome the first-of-its-kind location to the area. Media are invited to attend, and a complimentary meal is provided for all guests following the event.

So, get this during VIP Week, guests can RSVP to receive one complimentary Regular Bol between Thursday, Sept. 1, and Monday, Sept. 5. Guests will present their registration ticket at the cash register on their registered ticket date to redeem.

“The South Tampa opening marks more than one exciting milestone for Bolay as we open our first drive-thru and expand our reach to bring fresh and bold flavors to communities across Florida and state borders,” says Chris Gannon, Bolay’s Founder and CEO. “We’re proud to not only provide healthy options that make our guests feel good but introduce a drive-thru offering that empowers us to meet their needs with elevated hospitality.”

I guess restaurants run in the family, Chris Gannon, the son of Outback Steakhouse co-founder Tim Gannon, is no stranger to the restaurant business. Fueled by a passion for developing quality cuisine and constantly improving the customer experience, he set out to create a lifestyle brand centered around the best parts of dining that continues to grow today. Now, the father-son duo celebrates the restaurant’s debut in Chris’ hometown of Tampa—also the birthplace of Outback Steakhouse.

The South Tampa Bolay is one of three to open in September alone, joining brand new locations in Falls Church, Virginia, and Gainesville, Virginia, set to open this month. Additional restaurants in Florida are scheduled to open in early October.

Centrally located in South Tampa at 402 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., the restaurant will offer it’s crave-able and nutritious options in a convenient drive-thru format perfect for residents looking to eat holistically on the go. Bolay’s menu features grains and greens like Forbidden Black Rice and Chopped Kale Salad, freshly roasted veggies like Balsamic Mushrooms and Asian Sweet Potato Noodles and savory proteins like Lemon Chicken and Spicy Thai Shrimp.

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. 

Technology Platforms Drive Sales ask 7-Eleven

 

Success does leave clues and 7-Eleven has picked-up more than their fair share of clues over the years according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® who stated “all foodservice retailers can learn from one another.  With a huge global footprint 7-Eleven is positioned to view, learn, and rollout success clues that provide results.  Those are the ones to watch.

So, here is a success clue we think you should be paying attention too. 7-Eleven Inc. has acquired Skipcart, a startup that has developed a major network of drivers for the last-mile delivery of restaurant food, grocery, convenience-store and other goods in the United States.

In case you did not know, Skipcart is a delivery platform providing same-day and on-demand delivery for a variety of industries including e-commerce, pharmaceutical, retail, food and beverage and more, including convenience-store merchandise, with an average delivery time of 30 minutes, the company says on its website. It covers 37 states and parts of Canada through a fleet of more than 150,000 crowd-sourced drivers, it says.

We know that two years ago, Skipcart was valued at an estimated $65 million, said the report. The deal is expected to allow 7-Eleven to compete more directly with third-party delivery services, the report said.

Here is some of the back story. 7-Eleven became Instacart’s first c-store partner in 2020 and added Uber Eats and Grubhub to its delivery roster in 2020. Other delivery services that offer 7-Eleven products include Postmates, DoorDash, Google Food Order and Favor (only in Texas). In March, 7-Eleven partnered with Shipt to offer delivery of snacks, drinks and household essentials from 7-Eleven via the same-day delivery service.

The deal comes as 7-Eleven c-store rival Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., Laval, Quebec, which owns the Circle K brand, recently invested in the latest round of funding for Food Rocket, a 15-minute grocery delivery service. The $25 million series A investment round will be used to expand the service in Chicago and other cities throughout the United States as well as reinforce its artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled software and enhance the team.

You can see that technology is driving the future of two of the largest food retailers.  Are you looking a customer ahead? 

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