Grab-and-Go’s Future

Technology, global flavors, and plant-based offerings are grab-and-go getters, too.

CHAPTER 2

Grab-and-Go’s Future

SUCCESS STARTS WITH A FOCUS TOWARD THE FUTURE

Emerging trends in food, beverages, consumer preferences, and technology will affect grab-and-go offerings in the future as much as any other food category. Staying on top of changing consumer preferences will help you stand out in what is quickly becoming a crowded market.

Learn more about Grab and Go Solutions

As consumers find new ways to grab quick snacks and meals from more places, restaurants of all sizes will need a plan for keeping their interest. Offerings such as rotisserie chicken, sushi, soup, and salad are helping consumers complete the task of building a meal at home, creating what’s called a hybrid meal.

Research conducted by The Food Industry Association found that 53% of consumers plan to eat more at home in 2024, with only 14% planning to dine out more in the coming year.

TREND PREDICTIONS FOR 2024

1. Global cuisines and spices
2. Plant-based foods
3. Iced coffee specialties
4. Healthy, functional, flavorful beverages
5. New mealtimes for consumers
6. More restaurant technology

MORE: See the full list of 2024 Food & Beverage Industry Trends

At a recent food industry conference, the president and CEO of The Food Industry Association told attendees that 41% of food retail sales in 2022 derived from fresh departments, with 74% of retailers planning to devote more space to fresh grab-and-go.

Consumers who skip the full restaurant experience for a grab-and-go meal still expect to find options that are innovative and delicious. The same focus placed on local sourcing, sustainability, and technology should carry forward in future grab-and-go offerings, too.

THE FUTURE IS MORE CONVENIENT

1. Offer touchless/cashless payment
2. Share grab-and-go updates on social media and/or via text
3. Offer online ordering and item customization

Get more tips at Make Onsite Takeout More Convenient

Environmental and social issues weigh heavily on the minds of many consumers, according to the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association. In a recent survey by the association, more than 50% of respondents said it was somewhat or very important for food brands and retailers to limit food waste, treat animals humanely, limit package waste, and give back to the community.

Price increases in grab-and-go are inevitable when you add in the additional costs associated with cashless payment technology, more labor, additional to-go packaging, and general inflation. Will consumers continue to be as excited about grab-and-go as prices rise? Every operator and market are different, but surveying your own customers and closely monitoring sales records will be key to staying on top of profits and losses.

OPERATOR SPOTLIGHT
Fast-casual and fast-growing Newk’s Eatery has become known for its grab-and-go offerings of soups, salads, sandwiches, proteins, fruits, and sides that make meals easy.

54% of operators plan to offer more grab-and-go snacks in the future.

OPERATOR SPOTLIGHT
Grab-and-go options are notably healthy at the University of Texas, where students enjoy fruit cups, overnight chocolate chia, and Thai steak wraps.

_{^{Sources: Grocery Dive: Consumers Are Taking a ‘Hybrid’ Approach to Meal Prep. Here’s How Grocers Can Help (November 2023); The Food Industry Association: How the Food Industry Can Maintain “Fresh” Momentum (September 2023); Technomic Ignite; Datassential, Snacking, Keynote Report (July 2023); IDDBA.org: What’s In-Store 2023 (June 2023).}}