Sandwich innovations keep restaurant customers coming back for more, finds Technomic

READING, England, July 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Sandwiches are the cornerstone of lunch and dinner menus at both limited- and full-service restaurants, where they are offered more than any other type of entree. More consumers report purchasing sandwiches away from home today vs. just two years ago due in large part to operators becoming increasingly innovative and responsive to consumers' demand for lower prices, greater variety, fresher fare, flexible portions and healthier items.

"Today's consumer expects greater opportunities for customisation and broader sandwich options," says Executive Vice President Darren Tristano. "Trends in portion flexibility, variety, freshness and shareability have come to the forefront of this segment. Shareable options give operators a chance to go beyond the standard menu and try new ethnic sandwiches. Often these ethnic and next-level sandwiches, which focus on gourmet ingredients and toppings, are introduced through mini sandwiches or wraps. Giving consumers smaller, shareable portion options can be considered as healthier with less calories. This trend shows no signs of slowing down."

To help operators and others aligned with the foodservice industry more effectively identify opportunities for growth and gain a competitive advantage, Technomic has developed the U.K. Sandwich Consumer Trend Report.

Interesting findings include:

• Breakfast sandwiches have tripled on LSR menus (from 34 items in 2009 to 100 items in 2011).
• The vast majority of consumers (72 percent) purchase grab-and-go sandwiches, reiterating the importance of convenience and speed of service for the sandwich category.
• More than a quarter of all consumers (27 percent), and 41 percent of women, show a strong demand for mini-sandwiches at restaurants.
• More restaurants are taking culinary cues from abroad by introducing new sandwich-style handhelds that are popular in world regions stretching from the Americas to Asia.

Technomic's U.K. Sandwich Consumer Trend Report examines consumer behaviour, preferences and attitudes regarding sandwiches based on survey results from 1,000 consumers. For this report, Technomic asked consumers to include breakfast, deli, salad, and sub sandwiches, burgers, burritos, hot dogs, and wraps in their definition of sandwich. The Menu Insights section utilizes Technomic's MenuMonitor online database to provide an in-depth look at how leading and emerging chain operators menu and position sandwiches.

To purchase or learn more about this report please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts
Sales Enquiries: David Wilkinson, 077-1529-1530, or dwilkinson@technomic.com
Press Enquiries: Darren Tristano, 020-3318-1214, or dtristano@technomic.com
Report Details: Kelly Weikel, 001-312-506-3830, or kweikel@technomic.com

About Technomic

Technomic provides comprehensive global information, analysis and insights to food industry executives, through high quality fact-based consulting, market research, online databases, tracking services and industry events. Our programs and services are designed to target the specific needs of leadership, sales, management, marketing and product development professionals. At Technomic, we're always innovating to keep pace with emerging global markets and trends. For over 45 years we've been supporting clients' strategic decisions. Our breadth of research enables us to keep a pulse on food industry, by providing insights into local markets with a global scope. Visit us at technomic.com

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