Drive Customer Engagement with These 2025 Consumer Food Trends

 

One thing is very clear to start the New Year according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, Restaurants, convenience stores, and service delis can unlock consumer engagement by tapping into the trends highlighted in Grubhub's annual "2024 Delivered Report."

This report offers a treasure trove of insights into consumer ordering behaviors and preferences that are reshaping the foodservice landscape. The Grocerant Guru®, renowned for exploring consumer behavior in Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food spaces, underscores the value of these findings to amplify customer loyalty through mix-and-match meal bundling.

Key Trends from Grubhub's 2024 Report:

Made-to-Order Favorites Hotdogs, bananas, and sodas were the top convenience store orders in 2024, with Dr Pepper emerging as the most-ordered soda. This signals strong demand for affordable, easy-to-grab comfort items.

Protein Preferences Chicken reigned supreme, featuring in nearly 40% of restaurant orders and dominating grocery store orders nearly three times more than beef. Innovations like protein-dense dishes, including double-protein orders at Chipotle, and trendy cottage cheese creations further underscored protein's role in meal decisions.

Espresso and Caffeine Trends Espresso orders spiked with the popularity of Sabrina Carpenter’s hit song "Espresso." Grubhub delivered nearly 15,000 unique latte variations, and energy drink orders soared during the midterm season at college campuses.

Swicy Movement The sweet and spicy combination reached new heights with hot honey purchases up 30%, affirming America’s love for bold flavor pairings.

At-Home Entertaining 2024 saw 1.6 million family meal orders from restaurants, highlighting consumer reliance on meal solutions for social gatherings.

Grocerant Guru’s Insights: Five Ways to Leverage These Trends into Mix-and-Match Meal Bundling

1.       Customized Protein Pairings

o    Insight: With chicken leading consumer preferences, mix-and-match options featuring grilled chicken, marinated chicken wings, and chicken salads can appeal to diverse palates.

o    Actionable Strategy: Offer bundled family meals with interchangeable protein options such as chicken, beef, and plant-based alternatives to align with dietary needs and preferences.

2.       Flavored Beverages and Creative Pairings

o    Insight: The rise of Dr Pepper and hot honey trends points to flavor experimentation.

o    Actionable Strategy: Bundle unique drink offerings like craft sodas and energy drinks alongside popular items such as birria tacos or espresso-infused desserts.

3.       Elevating At-Home Entertaining

o    Insight: With over 1.6 million family meals ordered, convenience is king for social gatherings.

o    Actionable Strategy: Introduce themed mix-and-match meal kits, such as Mexican fiesta bundles with birria, elote, and churros, allowing customers to curate meals that fit their occasions.

4.       Promoting ‘Swicy’ Bundles

o    Insight: The swicy trend is here to stay with hot honey’s growing appeal.

o    Actionable Strategy: Include swicy elements such as hot honey chicken, sweet-and-spicy pickle sandwiches, or hot honey-drizzled cheese boards in bundled meals to create memorable flavor experiences.

5.       Office and Hotel Delivery Solutions

o    Insight: Corporate lunch orders and hotel meal deliveries saw a resurgence in 2024.

o    Actionable Strategy: Offer mix-and-match meal deals tailored for group orders, including breakfast-to-dinner kits with add-ons like espresso beverages and champagne for elevated convenience and luxury.

Capturing Consumer Loyalty

Convenience stores, restaurants, and delis can thrive by embracing Grubhub’s data-driven insights. The rise of mix-and-match options not only deepens consumer engagement but also fosters a seamless integration of branded meal solutions into consumers’ lives. Whether curating ready-to-eat protein-packed combos or meeting swicy cravings, retailers stand to build stronger customer connections and grow incremental sales.

Grubhub’s platform spans 375,000 merchants across 4,000 U.S. cities, exemplifying the potential reach for innovative bundling strategies. By aligning with these consumer-driven trends, businesses can elevate their offerings and reinforce relationships with today’s dynamic food enthusiasts.

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 than tomorrow?  Visit GrocerantGuru.com 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.

Restaurants Lookout Royal Farms Free Fresh Fast Coffee Will Garner New Customers

Worried about capitulating more customers?  If your year over year customers counts continue to track down and you are raising prices your problems are not over.  According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, “Royal Farms ability to target a single daypart with a price promotion for Coffee will garner the attention of fast-food restaurant customers.  In addition, the trial period is long enough to expose those consumers to a new variety of fresh food options and in many cases faster service.

Welcome to Royal Farms, in 2023.  By introducing "Free Coffee Mondays" for RoFo Rewards members. The promotion will allow members to redeem a free, any-sized coffee, hot or iced, from Jan. 2 through Feb. 27 its assured that RoFo membership will grow.

The one free coffee reward will be gifted to member accounts on Sundays, allowing them to be redeemed the following day at any Royal Farms location. You understand that the free coffee is an interactive positive brand remined the day before you use it and then again on the day you use it! That’s a good step forward in 2023 for Royal Farms.

Frank Schilling, director of marketing and merchandising, stated, "During the cold winter months when daylight hours are shortened, we understand how our moods are impacted. At Royal Farms, we want to make these cold Mondays a little bit easier by giving our RoFo Rewards members something free and delicious to look forward to. We are excited to bring 'Free Coffee Mondays' to all our locations and reward our loyal customers with a free weekly mood booster.”

In case you did not know, Royal Farms has offered other limited-time services to rewards members in the past, including double points during the 2022 holiday season and a short-term expanded discount on gas purchases in its New Jersey stores.

Once again looking a customer ahead Royal Farms, updated its mobile app over the last year to include online ordering and streamline purchasing for customers.

Here is how to sign up and get the free coffee. Anyone that is not already a member looking to participate in "Free Coffee Mondays" can sign up for RoFo Rewards on the store's mobile app or on roforewards.com. In addition to the current promotional offer, members receive two points for every dollar spent and one point for every gallon of gas purchased, allowing them to save money throughout the year, receive rewards for everyday purchases and earn fuel discounts when they upgrade to RoFoPay.

How are you planning to garner more customers in 2023?  Are you inviting consumers to you brand?

Foodservice Solutions® team is here to help you drive top line sales and bottom-line profits. Are you looking a customer ahead? Does your messaging look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit GrocerantGuru.com for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us 

Hy-Vee Talking Success

 

Hy-Vee is elevating it branded messaging too drive top-line sales and bottom-line profits the old fashion way but with a twist that they hope with drive new electricity into it brand. Once again, a larger food chain retailers is leveraging a partnership to drive success. How is your brand building new electricity?

According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new menu related 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, free food / sampling, talking, 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, full flavored and fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not completely different according to Johnson.

In a Battle for Share of Stomach

You Can Win

The new partnership is strategically targeting customers at the point of purchase, Hy-Vee has agreed to a multiyear partnership with Vibenomics Inc., a location-based audio out-of-home (AOOH) advertising and audio experience company to elevate its brands relevance. 

So, just what does that mean talking to consumers? Vibenomics broadcasts hyper targeted on-demand audio advertisements and curated playlists, delivered through flexible plug-and-play, proprietary Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled media players.

That said, they can do it within any combination of locations across its swiftly growing national footprint, unlocking a powerful new shopper marketing channel for reaching consumers during the critical final footsteps along the path to purchase.

Through a first-of-its-kind partner program, retailers can receive a portion of revenue for all advertisements sold by Vibenomics that play within their locations, giving them the ability to monetize their private airwaves and transform a legacy expense into a new profit center. Think about this, building your brand, while reducing the cost to do so.  Don’t you just love the retail foodservices evolving business model?

Beginning Feb. 15, Vibenomics will bring targeted, specialized music and messaging into more than 400 Hy-Vee locations across the grocer’s eight-state region. Vibenomics will work closely with Hy-Vee to determine which categories of advertisers, brands or specific products to promote on its airwaves while considering the type of shopper experience it strives to deliver.

Brent Oakley, CEO at Fishers, Ind.-based Vibenomics, stated, “We’re thrilled to continue building our retail media presence by partnering with Hy-Vee, an innovative grocer who sees the potential of monetizing their audio with Vibenomics,” ... “As a company, we’re evangelizing AOOH’s value and partnering with retailers like Hy-Vee to incorporate media capable of creating memorable shopping experiences.”

Get this, Vibenomics has made significant strides in owning the programmatic AOOH, reaching up to 63% of the total U.S. shopper population. The company recently partnered with Vistar Media to expand The Trade Desk’s omnichannel demand-side platform to support AOOH. Vibenomics also has an ongoing ongoing relationship with Kroger at more than 2,500 locations nationwide.

But that’s not all, with its cloud-based technology, licensed background music library, data integration capabilities, full-service team of audio experience experts, and network of on-demand professional voice talent, Vibenomics provides the right revenue-enhancing vibe for 150-plus advertisers in more than 6,000 locations across 49 states, reaching more than 210 million people.

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

Cinnaholic Plant-Based Ingredients Drive Growth

 

How does your brand spell success?  At Cinnaholic the halo of ‘better-4-you’ is all about plant-based ingredients. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® brands that elevate messaging around the halo of ‘better-4-you’ garner trail and adoption faster than those that do not.

Hand held food for immediate consumption is at the center of all 67.9% of all restaurant transactions, according to the NPD Group.  Regular readers of this blog know that, Cinnaholic, is the brand that sparked a nationwide love affair with gourmet cinnamon rolls on ABC’s hit show, Shark Tank, is accelerating its expansion plans and is set to open 20 new locations across the country this year and another 80 locations by 2025.

Now with 54 locations open and 60 in development, Cinnaholic has earned a loyal fan following, setting itself apart as a “better-for-you” option exclusively using plant-based ingredients without sacrificing taste. The brand has set its sights on targeted franchise growth, zeroing in on key markets throughout the United States.  

Spencer Reid, President of Cinnaholic, stated, “Our franchise model has proven successful time and time again and we are excited to continue the momentum as we look to excel growth,” … “Last year was extremely successful year in terms of franchise development and systemwide gross sales growth overall by of 29%, further emphasizing Cinnaholic as a brand with incredible staying power.”

That’s right, Cinnaholic has set itself apart as a “better-for-you” option exclusively using plant-based ingredients without sacrificing taste. Its variety of frosting and topping options make each customer experience truly unique, appealing to sweet-toothed dessert lovers across North America. The brand also provides online pick-up and third-party delivery, catering services, serving sweet treats for events large and small from birthday or office parties to baby showers and weddings. Customers can expect nothing less than the highest quality ingredients, as the plant-based, vegan bakery franchise was founded upon a commitment that all ingredients must be animal-free and free of dairy, lactose, eggs and cholesterol.

In addition to low startup costs and manageable operations, franchise owners are provided extensive corporate training as well as real estate, construction, operations, marketing and grand opening support, making for a truly sweet franchise opportunity. This high performing business model has made Cinnaholic a highly sought-after franchise brand.

New business is driving growth and works well in upscale lifestyle centers, major city centers and near college campuses. A notable contributor to franchisees’ success is the relatively low cost of owning and operating a Cinnaholic location, specifically the small footprint (around 1,000 square feet) and low food and labor costs.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations 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

El Pollo Loco Convenience Carries the Day

 

Happy Days are here again.  We are all ready for meal time to be a fun time according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Having gotten my second COVID Vaccination shot myself it seems as if Happy Days are back.

Americans change but not as fast as some would like us to. Working from home has become so normal that it just might take a little extra incentive to get us out of our ‘new routine’ according to Johnson.  Well, guess what that El Pollo Loco is reigniting the lost joy of lunchtime with its new line of Loco Lunch Boxes.

Remember, as kids ‘happy meals’ were fun meals.  Given that work at home and social distancing requirements have upended lunchtime, midday meals have lost their luster, leaving many stuck in a rut and eating uninspired lunches at their home desk or noshing on the same thing every day El Pollo Loco has the answer.

Say goodbye to sad lunches. El Pollo Loco packs the lunch you really want with a complete meal in a cheerful, easy-to-carry box. The new Loco Lunch Boxes offer a convenient lunch experience for people to enjoy delicious, satisfying food — whether they’re working from home, are on the go or heading back to the office.

El Pollo Loco CEO and president Acoca, stated, “Once people started sheltering at home and working remotely, going out for lunch shifted to throwing together quick meals at home,” ... “To inject some joy back into lunchtime and give people delicious and convenient to-go options that replace disappointing leftovers and inspire them to love lunch again, we created satisfying meals that come in a fun, portable container.”

The new Loco Lunch Boxes come in four options, all of which include a rice and beans cup, chips, salsa, and a churro for dessert:

1.       Chicken Guacamole Burrito: Tender pieces of our famous citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken, fresh handmade guacamole, pinto beans, shredded cabbage and sour cream, wrapped in a flour tortilla and topped with queso fresco and house-made pico de gallo.

2.       Baja Shrimp Tacos: Two tacos made with corn and flour blend artisanal tortillas and filled with shrimp cooked to perfection in a chipotle and garlic marinade, and topped with fresh shredded cabbage, house-made pico de gallo and Baja chipotle sauce.

3.       Chicken Avocado Gordita: Tender pieces of our famous citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken, wrapped in grilled flatbread with fresh shredded lettuce blend, fresh avocado slices, Baja chipotle sauce and topped with queso fresco and house-made pico de gallo.

4.       Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla: Tender pieces of our famous citrus-marinated, fire-grilled chicken melted between a flour tortilla along with shredded Monterey jack cheese and house-made pico de gallo and served with a side of fresh handmade guacamole.

Get ready to get back to the office and share as Loco Lunch Boxes will also be available for purchase in packs of six, eight and 12 on El Pollo Loco’s catering menu. How are you extending your brand invitation?

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

Grocerant Grab-N-Go Fresh Deli Growth To Set New Sales Record

The ability for food retailers to continue to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profits within the grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food spaces appears to be endless according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA Based Foodservice Solutions®.

Recently, Grand View Research found the chilled and deli foods market is likely to reach $267.7 billion by 2025 exhibiting a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. Mirroring insights from our own Grocerant Guru® as regular readers know Grand View found “The popularity of these products is largely associated with their ease of preparation, storage and availability in retail outlets, which is expected to influence the global consumption patterns over the forecast years.”

Once again grocerant niche fresh better for you food found to be in increased demand this time by Facility management company Vixxo  who found that 32% of convenience store customers want to see healthier options, and more than 60% said they would favor convenience stores that offered more fruits and vegetables and would more frequently visit stores that offered healthy sandwiches and salads.

Restaurants, grocery stores just might consider following th customer and building a grocerant convenient meal platform/outlet at that might be a smart business move. U.S. convenience stores experienced the 16th straight year of record in-store sales in 2018, according to newly released National Association of Convenience Stores State of the Industry data including top line sales up 8.9% in 2019.

Consumers today love streaming video on their 65 INCH HDTV as the team at Foodservice Solutions® was first to report back in the day.  Yes, our Grocerant Guru® was once again first and spot on with when he identified, quantified, and qualified The 65 Inch HDTV Syndrome.

Foodservice Solutions® team is here to help you drive top line sales and bottom-line profits. Are you looking a customer ahead? Ready for a new Platform? Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.