Breakfast sandwiches continue to be popular with consumers, in both the commercial and noncommercial sectors. Datassential’s recent update on morning meal trends, The Breakfast Club, reports that over half of restaurants that serve breakfast have sandwiches on the menu, and at the QSR level, they've shown a 9 percent growth since 2008. For the younger set, the portability factor is key. At The University of Rochester in Rochester, N.Y, Cam Schauf, director of campus Dining Services, notes the Starbucks’ breakfast sandwich program, added to its store in the student union last August, resulted in sales of 1,000 sandwiches in a four-week period.
Also gleaned from The Breakfast Club:
- Portable breakfasts may not be new, but portable breakfasts with premium ingredients are, and they're redefining the morning-meal landscape
- Sandwiches lead the portability category in terms of popularity, delivering the best of both worlds: convenient, on-the-go options made with premium ingredients
- Busy consumers looking for something quick and hand-held are interested in moving beyond the basic egg sandwich on a roll to experimenting with new carriers, cheeses, proteins, vegetables and sauces
- Breakfast sandwiches tap into menu items showing the most growth: creative egg dishes, healthful ingredients, portability and the embrace of Mexican flavors
Examples include:
- Paradise Bakery & Cafe's Breakfast Power Sandwich, made with all-natural egg, Vermont white cheddar and smoked lean ham grilled on freshly baked whole grain bread
- Au Bon Pain's Southwest Egg Sandwich of two fresh eggs, Applewood smoked bacon, sliced tomatoes and cheddar cheese served with a chipotle spread on a skinny wheat bagel
- Panera's Mediterranean Egg White on Ciabatta offering egg whites, a thick slice of Vermont white cheddar, roasted tomatoes, fresh spinach and basil pesto on freshly baked ciabatta
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.