CHICAGO: Consumers are ordering soup and salad at restaurants slightly less frequently now than two years ago, according to Technomic’s recently released 2018 Soup & Salad Consumer Trend Report. Among the factors contributing to this decline is a shift in menu offerings; soup and salad are trending down on menus, likely due to the growth of more unique, alternative healthy options such as roasted cauliflower dishes and poke bowls.
“While soup and salad have traditionally served as go-to options for health-conscious guests, consumers now have a wider variety of healthy options to choose from,” explains Anne Mills, senior manager of consumer insights at Technomic. “As more healthy foods become available and health definitions shift, brands will need to find new ways to differentiate soup and salad, perhaps with ethnic varieties that offer a balance of health and flavor.”
Key takeaways from the report include:
- 14% of consumers order salad every time they visit a restaurant
- 17% of consumers who purchase soup are likely to order it as a snack, up from 11% percent in 2015
- 52% of consumers who purchase salad say they feel healthier after eating meals that include salad
Compiling findings from more than 1,500 consumers, as well as Technomic’s MenuMonitor and Digital Resource Library, the comprehensive 2018 Soup & Salad Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers looking to understand consumer behavior and attitudes toward soup and salad.
Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.
Technomic Inc., a Winsight company, delivers a 360-degree view of the food industry. It impacts growth and profitability for clients by providing consumer-grounded vision and channel-relevant strategic insights. Its services range from major research studies and management consulting solutions to online databases and simple fact-finding assignments. Its clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants and retailers, other foodservice organizations, and various institutions aligned with the food industry. Visit Technomic at technomic.com.
Winsight LLC is a recognized leader in business-to-business media and information services for the convenience-retailing, foodservice and grocery industries. Winsight has an extensive media portfolio, including five publications: CSP, Restaurant Business, FoodService Director, Convenience Store Products and Winsight Grocery Business. Winsight also offers a suite of digital products, including websites, e-newsletters, webinars, video products, mobile and tablet apps, and custom marketing solutions. In addition to more than 12 major EduNetworking conferences and advisory meetings, Winsight also produces seven exclusive, large-scale executive-level conferences: Restaurant Leadership Conference, Global Restaurant Leadership Conference, Outlook Leadership Conference, Convenience Retailing University, FSTEC, MenuDirections and Restaurant Directions. In 2015, Winsight acquired Technomic Inc., a provider of primary and secondary market information and advisory services for the food industry. For more information on Winsight and its brands, go to www.winsightmedia.com.
Source: Winsight, LLC
