New foodservice insights report from EBLEX
New foodservice insights report from EBLEX
EBLEX has released the first in a series of special reports designed to provide caterers with fascinating insights into the foodservice market, highlighting industry trends and opportunities to profit.
The biannual ‘Focus on Foodservice’ report will help foodservice operators to stay abreast of latest trends and spark menu innovation, helping to boost customer visits and encourage an increase in the average individual spend across the sector.
For example, the autumn/winter edition of ‘Focus on Foodservice’ highlights the fact that consumers are becoming increasingly value-driven as opposed to price-driven, as they become much less reliant on ‘meal-deals’. Instead, they are looking for meals made with high-quality ingredients which still provide great value for money.
The report suggests that caterers should focus on attracting the value-driven customer instead of the price-driven customer, as the increase in average individual spend will make up for a drop in visits.
Another trend noted in the report is the growth of the out-of-home breakfast market as fewer people make time to eat breakfast before leaving home. Data from the NPD Group/CREST shows that breakfast servings in foodservice were up 3.7% in the year to June 2013, a significant rise and potential growth opportunity for those not yet making the most of this opportunity.
The report also explores the growth in the premium burger market. EBLEX has found that there is a clear indication that consumers are trading up and that the ‘better burger’ is increasingly the choice of a more discerning customer.
Research carried out by EBLEX has shown that mincing trim from the rump, chuck or brisket can significantly improve margin potential, as well as creating different taste and texture profiles which many customers prefer. EBLEX recently launched its premium burger range which was developed to help foodservice operators to capitalise on the ‘better burger’ trend.
Demand for beef in the UK remains strong, and the report notes that traditional channels are introducing different ethnic-inspired flavours as part of their beef offering. It also suggests that foodservice operators can invigorate favoured traditional menu options by introducing new cuts.
Lamb is also a great option for the foodservice sector. In fact, the research found that when lamb is included in a meal, the average individual consumer spend is higher than it is for any other protein, making it a good choice for consumers looking for quality and value. EBLEX suggests caterers could introduce ethnic-inspired flavours to their lamb offer to appeal to the younger customer.
The report also explains the benefits of joining EBLEX’s Quality Standard Mark (QSM) Scheme for beef and lamb, which provides one of the highest levels of independently inspected quality assurance for meat in the United Kingdom. The standards contain combined guarantees of food safety, animal welfare, care for the environment and enhanced eating quality.
To view the full ‘Focus on Foodservice’ report, click here
