The pandemic has encouraged—if not forced—restaurant operators to flex their ingenuity. As takeout and delivery orders slid in as an alternative option when dining rooms closed, operators quickly reworked their menus to meet consumers’ unique needs, including family meal package options. With 66% of consumers saying they anticipate continuing to use curbside pickup even after dine-in services resume, according to Technomic’s 2020 Delivery and Takeout Consumer Trend Report, restaurants are wise to continue offering the options consumers are looking for.
Technomic’s Delivery and Takeout report finds that 27% of consumers who have ordered takeout and delivery during restaurant closures have already purchased or are likely to purchase family meal bundles, and 73% of consumers say that even once restaurants reopen, they would be likely to purchase family meal bundles. Curbside pickup—comprising 50% of all takeout orders, according to Technomic—is the perfect avenue for meal bundles. Busy, tired consumers are looking for a quick way to feed the whole family, and with curbside pickup, they can bring dinner home without ever leaving the car.
Check out how some restaurants have adapted to offering customers convenient, family-style meals:
· Chick-fil-A, a favorite among chicken lovers, is offering meal bundles for four or more people. Customers can choose from three entrée options (a 30-count order of Chick-fil-A Nuggets, four Original Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwiches or four Spicy Chicken Sandwiches); five different sizes with portions for four (waffle fries, mac & cheese, waffle potato chips, fruit cups, kale crunch sides or chocolate chunk cookies); and beverages (one gallon of either sweetened iced tea, unsweetened iced tea, regular lemonade or diet lemonade. The chain has also started offering Chicken Parmesan meal kits in select areas. These meal kits feature pre-measured and ready-to-heat ingredients with a six-step recipe card, for a meal that comes together in 25 minutes or less and serves at least two people.
· Fast-casual favorite Panera introduced Family Feast Value Meals—family-sized meals made to feed a family of four, priced to save consumers money. Options include varying combos with sandwiches, soups, salads, sides and more. Sandwich options include Panera signatures, including the Chipotle Chicken Avocado Melt made with chicken raised without antibiotics.
· Abuelo’s, a casual dining chain with locations in nine states including Arizona, Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida and more, offers Family Feasts on their menu. With portion sizes perfect for feeding two-to-three people or four-to-six people, meals options include enchiladas, fajitas and tacos, made with consumers’ choice of proteins including steak, ground beef and premium, all natural chicken. These meal kits also come with options including chips, refried beans, pico de gallo and guacamole.
To find products and menu inspiration, visit perduefoodservice.com.
This post is sponsored by Perdue Foodservice