Consumers are snacking more often—which means more potentialoccasions for sales. Yet they aren’t yet satisfied with snacks from restaurants, in part because of their broader definition of what constitutes as a snack. Data from the Technomic Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Reportshows these shifts, and how its influencing what consumers want today.
Overall satisfaction tends to be higher for meals than for snacks from restaurants—though QSRs and fast casuals fare better in snack satisfaction than do full-service spots.
Their definition of a snack now includes more food and beverages. “Consumers are increasingly replacing meals with snacks. However, this isn’t necessarily considered to be unhealthy—66% of consumers at least somewhat agree that having a snack instead of a meal can be part of a healthy diet,” said Bret Yonke, Manager of Consumer Insights at Technomic.
Three in 10 say they’d purchase healthier snacks more often if they had unique flavors. Still, another 31% of consumers are more likely to order indulgent, craveable items for snacks rather than meals.
“Many consumers plan ahead when it comes to the snacks they buy at [restaurants], often buying a meal for immediate consumption, as well as a snack for later. Bundles geared toward this behavior are likely to appeal and can also help increase check averages,” said Yonke. Of consumers who eat snacks away from home, 41% buy and save snacks for later. Chains are creating options to capture this interest. Zoes Kitchen, for example, offers snack boxes such as Balanced Bites, and Au Bon Pain offers Bon To Go grab-and-go boxes.
Consumers rate the value of snacks from fast casuals the highest of any segment. Just 39% of consumers rate the value of full-service snacks as very good, and four in 10 say quick-service spots deliver very good value.
Restaurants are still ahead of convenience stores for snacking value; only 36% of consumers say c-stores are very good at delivering value.
Just when you thought you understood millennials, their demands shifted
Technomic
The Technomic Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Reportoffers access to consumer survey information, trend analysis and searchable online tools to help you navigating the changing opportunities and consumer attitudes regarding snacks. The full report is available for purchase on Technomic.com.
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