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The classic approach of three square meals a day is no longer the only approach to dining, as snacks are emerging as a significant menu part for consumers and are even being used to replace meals. According to Datassential’s Snacking Keynote Report, 74% of consumers have replaced breakfast, lunch, or dinner with a snack at least once per week, and 40% of those consumers replace 2 to 5 meals per week with snacks.
Despite all age demographics upping their snack intake in the last few years (33% of total consumers reported snacking more at the time of being surveyed than the year prior, according to the Snacking Keynote Report), a notable increase can be seen specifically among younger consumers, with 42% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials citing an increase in snacking between 2022 and 2023. And while certain items are typically considered snack foods, consumers having various motivators behind their snacking habits means there is an opportunity to take advantage of the ambiguity around the category. Satisfying a craving, seeking indulgence, and needing a holdover until their next meal are the top 3 motivators for consumers according to the Snacking Keynote Report. With 66% of surveyed consumers claiming that anything can be a snack, operators should keep those driving factors in mind.
Subway answers the call for snacks in the form of Sidekicks, footlong bites to accompany a sandwich or to eat on its own. Apart from their Footlong Cookie, Subway has partnered with Cinnabon to release a Footlong Churro and Auntie Anne’s for a Footlong Pretzel.
When focusing on snack ideation, operators can pull inspiration from consumer snacking motivators and consider how they can use ingredients that are already on their menus. Consider innovation in single-serve desserts and handheld dishes for snack offerings.
| Product Code | Product Name | Case Count | Unit Weight | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code03593 | Nametriple chocolate® filled cookie baked iw, 1.7-oz | Case/Pack120 | Weight1.7 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code23365 | Namewgr individually wrapped berries & cream filled cookie naturally flavored, 1.7 oz | Case/Pack120 | Weight1.7 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code19402 | Namenut free whole grain rich chocolate chip made with hershey’s baked cookie individually wrapped,… | Case/Pack126 | Weight1.55 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code08202 | Nameconfetti cake filled cookie baked iw, 1.7 oz cookies | Case/Pack120 | Weight1.7 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Product Code | Product Name | Case Count | Unit Weight | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Code08360 | Namefrench cruller glazed donut ring cake, 120 count | Case/Pack120 | Weight1.4 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code15205 | Namepowder sugar mini cake donut ring, 384 count | Case/Pack384 | Weight0.5 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code02250 | Namefully finished cake donut variety | Case/Pack104 | Weight1.6 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
| Code02233 | Namefully finished yeast raised donut glazed ring | Case/Pack108 | Weight1.2 OZ | Shelf Life365 DAYS |
Smoothies. Milkshakes. Blended bowls. Frozen cocktails. Blended drinks bring comfort and nostalgia, as well as the flavor flexibility to stay on top of the trends. With f’real shakes and smoothies, you can create fun, freshly blended frozen beverages with premium ingredients and fan-favorite flavors – without labor or mess concerns.
B Sweet is a Filipino-inspired dessert shop serving a wide selection of sweet treats from a small storefront in Japantown, Los Angeles. Consumers can satisfy cravings on-the-go with the various shakes, cakes, ice cream, cookies, pies, and other baked goods on their menu. Their selection of massive cake slices and the novelty of their weekly rotating menu gives consumers new treats to indulge in with items like Halos (ice cream sandwiches that use donuts as the carrier), Chocolate Whoopie Pies (frosting sandwiched in between two round pieces of chocolate cake), and a slice of their vibrantly colored Ube Pandan Cake (layers of ube and pandan cake featuring pandan cream cheese frosting). B Sweet’s decadent snack offerings show operators that snacking occasions can be a main event for consumers.
A watering hole in downtown Milwaukee, consumers come to Vanguard Bar for the drinks and stay for a quick bite of their signature house-made sausages. Vanguard takes the classic handheld and adds countless twists, from regionally themed items like the Milwaukee that features cheese curds, cheddar cheese, and Cheez Whiz to unique global items like the Cuban Linx (featuring pork, cilantro, and sour orange sausage on a French roll), or Veal Weisswurst (topped with Bavarian sweet mustard on a pretzel roll). And all of their sausages are served on rolls that are baked fresh daily. This operator showcases how snack foods can be elevated while quenching consumer cravings.
Curiosity Doughnuts in Furlong, PA takes a classic sweet treat to the next level with a vast rotating menu of zany doughnut varieties made from seven different doughs, including apple cider dough and “Super Cake” dough, a creation made with cruller batter and cake dough. Their goal of piquing consumer interest and satisfying snack cravings inspires unique doughnut flavors like their passion fruit-glazed Hot Cake Doughnut.
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