Sandwich Advantages

Everybody loves a good sandwich. Boost menu offerings while giving customers what they crave.

TREND 1

Sandwich Advantages

CREATIVITY AND INGREDIENT CROSS-UTILIZATION IS ENDLESS WHEN SANDWICHES ARE ON THE MENU

Americans love sandwiches. In fact, most people have eaten a sandwich this week, if not today. Sandwiches represent everything consumers and operators want—from creativity to convenience—in one easy-to-love handheld package for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacking.

Breakfast sandwiches are becoming more popular. Click here to see a recipe for Buttermilk Chicken Biscuits with Sausage Gravy

Some of the more obvious, and important, reasons to add sandwiches to a menu include their popularity with consumers; ingredient cross-utilization; easy recipes; endless takeout and delivery options; and opportunities for weekly, seasonal, and special promotions.

There are more than 60,000 sandwich and sub store franchises in the United States, with a market size of $23 billion, according to IBISWorld. The sector will continue to grow as consumers lean toward what they perceive as healthier options and away from fast food.

44% of consumers say their preferred weekday breakfast is a breakfast sandwich.

Meanwhile, full-service foodservice and QSR are getting more creative in their sandwich offerings, introducing international flavors, dippable sandwiches, and meaty, stackable, Instagrammable handhelds that keep customers returning for more. Social media is just part of the equation when a new sandwich is introduced. Combos, beverage pairings, weekly specials, friendly rivalries, and spicy eating competitions can all be promoted alongside a sandwich debut. Operators who take advantage of each opportunity will reap the most rewards.

Boosting Sales with Sandwiches

12 reasons why restaurants should offer sandwiches.

1. Customers love sandwiches
2. Cross-utilization of ingredients, from seasonal vegetables to leftover proteins
3. A natural pairing with high-profit beverages (early-morning coffee through late-night beer and cocktails)
4. Daypart flexibility, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and late-night
5. Wide appeal makes sandwiches a great vehicle for adding new flavors and ingredients to a popular menu staple
6. Easy to work in new ingredient trends or international flavors
7. Easy customization to any customer preference
8. Healthy indulgence positioning
9. Easy vegetarian/vegan option
10. Can be priced as a value offering or support a premium in the category
11. Great for takeout/delivery
12. Perfect for combining in combo meals with sides, desserts, and beverages

On-Trend Breakfast Beverages

Caribou Coffee offers a decaffeinated blend of turmeric and ginger tea with apple, beetroot, and lemongrass
Starbucks Dragon Drink features the flavors of dragon fruit and mango with creamy coconut and dragon fruit pieces
Peet’s Coffee has a plant-based cold brew with vanilla oat foam

_{^{Sources: Technomic 2021 U.S. Breakfast Consumer Trend Report; IBISWorld, Sandwich & Sub Store Franchises Industry in the US—Market Research Report, September 2021.}}