This article looks at the top 10 things to consider to identify ingredients trends within the foodservice market for franchise customers. As franchisors look to expand their operations and services, it is crucial that they understand the local food trends and industry insights. Using the insights provided by data and technology, they can enrich their systems and make decisions with confidence.
By using data and insights, franchisors can unlock new opportunities and experiences for their customers with better product services and offerings. Research and market intelligence will help them identify the key growth drivers and plan for the right expansion strategies to achieve their goals.
In order to effectively identify and track ingredients trends within the foodservice market, it is important to take into account the following top 10 things:
1. Availability of Ingredients
The availability of different ingredients in different regions is an important factor to consider when identifying ingredients trends. Franchisors need to determine the ingredients that are available and in demand within the local market. The availability of the ingredients can be an indicator of how many dishes the new outlet can offer and the variety of flavors it can experiment with. They also need to pay attention to the availability of healthy and sustainable ingredients.
2. Local Taste Preferences
Understanding local taste preferences is crucial for franchisors as it helps them figure out what kind of flavors their customers prefer. Tastes vary from region to region and from one cuisine to another. Franchisors should consider cultural influences on the local preferences as well as dietary restrictions to inform their decisions.
3. Seasonal Offerings
Seasonal ingredients are often popular among customers. Franchisors need to identify popular seasonal ingredients and the kinds of dishes they can be used in. The dishes should match the preferences of local customers and align with cultural influences.
4. Price of Ingredients
Franchisors should pay attention to the price of ingredients, especially those which are in demand. They should keep track of the cost of the ingredients available in the local market and compare the prices with the prices of suppliers in the neighboring areas. They need to assess how this might affect their profits and pricing of dishes.
5. Substitutes
Franchisors should also consider substitutes for certain ingredients. This includes plant-based and non-animal based options for popular ingredients. This can help to offer more options to customers and widen the appeal of dishes.
6. Unique Ingredients
Unique ingredients can help to differentiate the outlets of a franchisor. Yet, new ingredients need to be carefully tested with customers before being added to the menu. Franchisors should also consider regional availability and cost of unique ingredients before deciding to use them in their dishes.
7. Local Competitors
Franchisors need to assess what their local competitors are offering in terms of ingredients. This will provide them with insights about popular dish items as well as the ingredients that customers might want to see more often. The ingredients used by competitors can also be seen as something that needs to be avoided in order to make the dishes of the franchisors’ outlets stand out.
8. Popular Combinations
Besides individual ingredients, franchisors also need to consider the popular combinations they offer on their menu. Different ingredients are used in different ways and can be combined to make a variety of dishes. Franchisors should also consider the cost of the combinations in terms of ingredients used and profit margin.
9. Technology
Technology can play an important role in the process of determining and tracking ingredients trends. Franchisors can use technology to analyze consumer data and predict the kind of ingredients that will be in demand in the coming months. Technology can also make the process of predicting and tracking ingredients more time and cost-efficient.
10. Cost of Menu Items
Franchisors should consider the cost of menu items while deciding on the ingredients to use. The ingredients should be cost-efficient and also deliver a high-quality customer experience. This is especially important when it comes to popular dishes, as customers are more likely to pay a premium for dishes they know they can rely on.
By taking all of these factors into account, franchisors will be in an optimal position to identify key ingredients trends in the foodservice market. This will enable them to offer a better customer experience and capture more market share.
