Consumer Trends
Customers will pay more for better atmosphere
Patrons may grumble when restaurants raise food prices, but they seem willing to spend more for better service. According to a survey of 500 consumers from American Express MarketBriefing, diners would spend more money for pleasant atmosphere, cleanliness and friendly staff than they would for healthier menu items or freshly baked bread.
Benjamin Foods Named to 50 Fastest Growing Companies in Philadelphia
HATBORO, PA (January 6, 2012)—Benjamin Foods has been recognized by SmartCEO Magazine as one of the 50 Fastest Growing Companies in the Greater...
With health and freshness two of the major forces driving menus today, produce is top on operators’ purchase orders. Indeed, restaurants have been making a big effort to put more fruits and vegetables on the plate. But this effort hit a roadblock with recent E.coli scares and salmonella outbreaks. As a result, food safety has become the priority for suppliers and buyers of fresh produce.
After a 4% decline in 2009 and another 3% decline in 2010, lunch daypart sales are set to rebound 2% to $114 billion in 2011. Unemployment and the economic slump caused budget-conscious consumers to cut back on lunch spending in restaurants, but creative marketing and unique offers are spurring them to come back.