All Innovation & Trends articles
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Analysis & InsightPlant-based diners increasingly value led
Psychographic data collected by Lumina Intelligence shows that plant-based consumers are putting an increased emphasis on value compared to last year
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NewsEl Pastor sources ‘cartel-free’ avocados
The Harts Group brand now sources its avocados from Avocargo, a company which imports sustainable and ethical avocados from Jalisco and Michoacan in Mexico to the UK
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InterviewsDeliveroo: ‘We don’t obsess about our competitors’
Chief business officer Carlo Mocci tells MCA that the current market conditions have led to a “substantial slowdown” in the growth of dark kitchen model Deliveroo Editions, but the company still sees plenty of headroom for growth
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InterviewsAlan Yau: People don’t want to work 40+ hours anymore
The Wagamama founder speaks to MCA about post-Covid working patterns, revisiting his 33-year-old idea of a Chinese QSR chain, and why the generic concept of the restaurateur is dead
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NewsPandemic dining preferences here to stay
Deloitte’s Future of Restaurants Survey suggests the rise of “ultimate convenience” and a move towards user-friendly digital experiences is here to stay
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Analysis & InsightCompetitive socialising continues to rise
The number of transactions at competitive socialising venues are up 9% in March 2023 vs October 2022, with sales up 5%, according to CACI
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Analysis & InsightDifferentiated pub offer key to boosting sales
From family-friendly events and outdoor cooking to sports and entertainment, Lumina Intelligence’s senior insight manager Katherine Prowse looks at the creative thinking on display in the pub sector
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Analysis & InsightFood to go: What’s inspiring spring/summer NPD
MCA explores the trends influencing the new spring/summer launches from the UK’s leading food to go brands and how they stack up against competition from the grocery retailers.
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Analysis & InsightPret’s spring refresh relies on both health and indulgence
As two competing trends take over the sector, the food-to-go brand has unveiled a range of new items that cater to changing consumer needs following a pandemic and cost of living crisis
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Analysis & InsightNPD leverages both health and indulgence trends
Plant-based and health trends have influenced new launches in the food to go sector, but operators are also introducing indulgent snacks to tempt customers to trade up
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NewsPret revamps iced drinks range
The food to go retailer will launch the new range in April in what it describes as its biggest drinks innovation in more than five years, replacing its current range of frappes and smoothies.
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Analysis & InsightPizza continues to reign supreme on menus
Italian was the most popular main course cuisine on restaurant menus in Q4, while burgers and fried chicken grew their share of dishes, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker
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OpinionUdon for breakfast, anyone?
As Marugame Udon makes its debut on the breakfast scene with its ‘Benedict Udon’, MCA examines the new offering and its potential for success in a category often bound by tradition
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Analysis & InsightSustainable food trend helping in battle with food price inflation
The total proportion of dishes containing meat fell by -3ppts between 2019 and 2022, according to Lumina Intelligence’s Menu Tracker data
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Analysis & InsightBreakfast is back on the menu for US consumers
The day-part was booming in the US before the pandemic hit and is now making a strong comeback despite a high percentage of consumers continuing to work from home
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Analysis & InsightLumina: A hot bed of menu mechanics
Katie Prowse of Lumina Intelligence tracks how operators are turning to NPD, premiumisaiton and price psychology in the face of inflation and a cost of living squeeze
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InterviewsSunny side up: How The Breakfast Club regained its mojo
The restaurant and bar group is entering an ‘accelerated growth’ phase following the appointment of Be At One founder Steve Locke as managing director
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Analysis & InsightLumina: Challenging trading made worse by staff shortages
Lumina Intelligence’s Top Of Mind Survey shows that respondents believe that pre-existing recruitment challenges have been exacerbated by Brexit and the pandemic, with 93% of eating out professionals describing the current trading environment as being either challenging or extremely challenging. Yet the majority of those surveyed are expecting trading conditions to improve across the next 12 months. McDonald’s, Pret and Wagamama are admired brands that are making a success of tapping into key trends such as delivery, technology, sustainability and plant based foods.
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Analysis & InsightThe growing appeal of the drive-thru
The drive-thru format is attracting attention from a diverse set of operators in the UK. What are some of the key factors for success and how might the format be evolving?
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InterviewsKFC’s Jo Tivers: “I love pickled and fermented ingredients - they go so well with the KFC Original Recipe”
KFC’s NPD team lead discusses the success of its Vegan Burger, where KFC plans to take its plant-based menu next and why texture is too often overlooked by product developers.