Millennials Driving Foodservice Discontinuity

Today, Millennials make up more than a quarter of the United States population, and major restaurant and grocery chains are taking notice of a lack of Millennials in their core consumer base. Sarah Berger’s research reported that many millennials are turning down family-filled, sit-down restaurants for eateries with Instagram-worthy, trendy dishes, and a livelier environment.  Thus creating discontinuity as chains such as TGI Fridays, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Denny's and Olive Garden are struggling to stay relevant.

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® reported findings that suggested “Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food that is deemed ‘better for you’ is a clue not to be taken lightly as millennials and boomers are migrating to non-traditional fresh food outlets.  There are 24 restaurants for every grocery store today selling prepared food, so grocery store fresh food must stand-out to be noticed. 

Our Grocerant Guru® went on to state “grocery retailers selling food that is not fresh had better not sell it as fresh; as consumers are seeking transparency and authenticity and they will find out and it will not work.  More important selling food that is not fresh as fresh just may very well drive business to competitors.”

Omni-Channel branded fresh prepared grocerant food is a better option than using prepared foods that are frozen, made with artificial ingredients or not prepared on site.’ Millennials want food transparency. According to our Grocerant Guru®.

Millennial migration has been underway for some time. Casual-dining restaurant chains have lost business for years to “youth-friendly” restaurants and fast food outlets, which have seen sale’s soar, according to a 2014 report.  In fact NPD reports that 79% of all restaurant visits occur at fast food restaurants. Yet, no one wants to admit they visit fast food.  Actions speak louder than words in food retail. 

That is why it is so important that supermarkets and grocery stores sell fresh food fast. Foodservice Solutions® team pointed out that there are 24 restaurants that sell food for every grocery store in the United States.  Discovery is important to Millennials and anyone that sells fresh prepared food with authenticity can garner support from Millennials.  Companies the ilk of Ikea the furniture store excels, Pinkies Liquor stores, and Duane Reade Drug Stores also excel. 

Grocery stores and restaurants need to remember what our Grocerant Guru® often reminds all of us that “Millennials do not want food that is different, they want food that is familiar but with a twist.  Today that twist is fresh and authentic.”  Are you expanding your ‘Share of Stomach’? 

www.FoodserviceSolutions.us   specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or product ideation or placement opportunity.  Foodservice Solutions of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche since 1991 Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us