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Global Update on Consumer,

Market & Menu Insights

Top Nine Issue 17 | 2024

01 Impress Simon Cowell & Pizza Dogs

Domino's is creating excitement with two new significant projects. Simon Cowell was brought in as “Quality Captain” to endorse its operational upgrades in the U.S. The brand says, “he has an eye for detail and demands perfection”, including when it comes to pizzas and customer service. In the meantime, Domino's Australia is creating a buzz with its innovative hot dog pizza mashup. The Pizza Dog features a Kransky style sausage wrapped in dough, served with mozzarella cheese and tomato sauce.

02 Nostalgic Menu & Encore Hours

Taco Bell is testing a "Nostalgic Menu" in some California locations, featuring popular items from past decades, such as the 1960s Tostada and 1990s Beef Gordita Supreme. The menu may expand nationwide later this year, targeting both old and new customers. Meanwhile, Taco Bell UK is launching "Encore Hours", extending opening times to 2AM at select locations near concert venues. The first trial coincided with Taylor Swift’s London shows at the Wembley High Road location, offering free Crunchy Tacos to the first 500 customers each night.

03 Thick-Cut Bacon Lineup

Buffalo Wild Wings has introduced a new "Thick Cut Bacon" lineup featuring several bacon-infused items, including a Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger, a Patty Melt and a Buffalo Bacon Sauce. The Bacon Mac & Cheeseburger includes a beef patty topped with mac and cheese, bacon, American cheese and bacon aioli. The Bacon Patty Melt features two beef patties, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, and bacon on Texas toast. The Buffalo Bacon Sauce blends spicy buffalo sauce with bacon bits and can be used as a dip or wing sauce.

04 Value Menus Bring Bold Flavours

Carl’s Jr. and KFC are expanding their value menus in the United States as quick-service chains respond to consumers tightening their wallets. Carl’s Jr. has rolled out its “More Bang, Less Buck” meal to over half of its 1,000 locations so far, offering 10 items for under $4, such as the Cali Jr. burger, Spicy Chicken Sandwich and six Chicken Stars (nuggets). Meanwhile, KFC has introduced two new $5 deals to its “Taste of KFC” value menu. Customers can now get eight Chicken Nuggets and the Famous Bowl with Chicken Nuggets. Both chains are emphasising bold flavours and budget-friendly options as competition heats up among fast-food giants to attract cost-conscious customers.

05 Taking Barbecue Abroad

With almost every culture offering its own barbecue tradition, menu developers are innovating by combining international elements with American techniques. For example, Filipino calamansi, Japanese yakitori and Mexican pickled nopales, creating fusion cuisines. The result is a diverse and flavourful global interpretation of BBQ that reflects regional tastes, while maintaining the essence of classic American BBQ from regions such as Kansas, Texas, Memphis and the Carolinas. Operators wishing to be on the cutting edge can look to other regions such as Southeast Asia, West Africa and the Middle East for BBQ’s next impactful flavour moments.

06 Hot Concepts Awards 2024

Nation’s Restaurant News announced six winners for its annual Hot Concepts awards, recognizing emerging U.S. restaurant chains with significant growth potential. This year’s honorees include Angry Chickz, Mecha Noodle Bar, Puttshack, Rodney Scott’s Whole Hog BBQ, Tacombi, and Toastique. These brands, selected for their innovative approaches and scalability, will be celebrated at CREATE: The Event for Emerging Restaurateurs in October. Executives from each brand will participate in a panel discussion to share their growth stories. Past winners include major chains like Panda Express, The Cheesecake Factory, Raising Cane’s, Jamba and CAVA.

07 Food-To-Go Market To Grow

The UK food-to-go market is set to grow nearly 40% by 2028 compared to 2019, driven by inflation and increasing volumes, according to the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board (AHDB). In 2024, the market grew by 14%, with over £48.2 billion spent on out-of-home food. While half of food-to-go purchases are routine, spontaneous buys are rising. Lunch remains key, with meal deals popular for budget-conscious consumers. Pork-based items, especially sandwiches, are significant contributors to growth. AHDB advises retailers to adapt to changing consumer needs, offering premium options and targeting younger demographics with trend-driven products.

08 Equalising Plant & Animal Products

Lidl in the Netherlands is reducing the prices of plant-based meat and dairy alternatives to match or undercut the cost of animal-based products. The retailer also introduced a hybrid minced meat product containing 60% beef and 40% pea protein, aiming to help customers lower their environmental impact. This initiative is part of Lidl’s broader strategy to encourage more sustainable food choices by making plant-based and blended meat and vegetable options more accessible. Another Dutch supermarket chain, Jumbo, aims for 60% of protein sold to be of plant-based origin by 2030. Ask about our range of great tasting blended meat and vegetable ingredients, with lower carbon emissions, but the same great taste, texture and flavour. 

09 Consumers Want 'Feel Good' Items

Despite rising food prices, consumers are increasingly choosing premium products with better nutrition and less sodium and sugar, according to the senior vice president at Whole Foods. While grocery fads come and go, Whole Foods focuses on quality, which remains constant. Although inflation eased slightly in July 2024, food prices are still a concern. Consumer trends now emphasize whole foods and supplements. Whole Foods is innovating accordingly, with products like pumpkin turmeric sourdough bread, responding to the growing demand for health-focused ingredients.

Dawn Farms, The Maudlins, Naas, County Kildare, Ireland

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