Convenience is King
Grab-and-go options are expected to be a significant driver of food service sales in 2024. The convenience of these items appeals to busy consumers looking for quick, nutritious meal solutions. According to Circana, the deli sector, which features grab-and-go products, is poised to outperform other food and beverage categories.
Snacking has become an integral part of daily life for many consumers. Datassential reports that many people regularly incorporate snacks into their diets, with nearly 29% of consumers replacing meals with snacks. This trend is particularly prevalent among Millennials and those with children, who snack an average of 2.3 times per day, compared to 1.8 times for Boomers.
Experiment with different flavor combinations and consider offering seasonal flavors to keep your menu fresh and exciting. Imagine your customers’ delight when they discover a refreshing watermelon iced tea garnished with fresh mint in the summer or a classic iced tea with a spicy cinnamon rim in the fall.
Opportunities for Restaurant Owners to Harness this Trend
Menu Innovation: Experiment with new snack items that can be introduced quickly and easily. Consumers are more willing to try new and bold flavors in snacks, so this can be a low-risk way to test new trends and attract attention.
Health-Focused Options: Capitalize on the demand for healthier snacks by offering items high in protein, low in sugar, and packed with nutrients. Think about sushi, yogurt parfaits, wraps, and veggie sticks with dips.
Re-purposing Ingredients: Reduce waste and increase profitability by re-purposing existing ingredients into snack-friendly formats. For example, leftover sausages can be turned into pigs in a blanket, and unused cake can be transformed into cake pops.
The snacking and grab-and-go segments present lucrative opportunities for restaurant owners in 2024. By understanding consumer preferences and strategically enhancing menu offerings, operators can effectively tap into these trends to drive sales and improve customer satisfaction. Embrace innovation, prioritize health, and leverage convenience to stay ahead in the competitive foodservice landscape.
