Restaurants brace for increased competition as emerging channels continue to expand, Technomic finds in new report

Technomic's 2019 Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report explores how food halls, food trucks, eatertainment and meal kits will impact the foodservice landscape moving forward

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Technomic

Apr 24, 2019, 09:23 ET

CHICAGO, April 24, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- While usage of emerging channels is still low overall compared to traditional foodservice segments, strong appeal among younger consumers and continued nationwide expansion by these channels means increased competition for restaurants moving forward. Technomic's 2019 Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report explores primary and secondary emerging channels, and covers the unique challenges and opportunities that each channel faces.

"Restaurant operators will have to pick and choose how to compete as variety and uniqueness are currently competitive advantages for emerging channels," explains Bret Yonke, manager of consumer insights at Technomic. "Moving forward, watch for restaurants to turn the tables by utilizing certain emerging channels to expand their own brands, which some have already done by offering meal kits and creating their own branded food trucks."

Key takeaways from the report include:

78% at least somewhat agree that food halls often introduce them to dishes they've never tried before
27% of meal-kit users say they have switched companies since they first started using meal kits
60% say that if their favorite food truck opened a restaurant, they would be likely to visit

Compiling findings from 1,500 consumer responses, as well as trends, the comprehensive 2019 Emerging Channels Consumer Trend Report serves as a guide for foodservice operators and suppliers to help them better understand consumer usage, attitudes and preferences toward emerging channels and to identify opportunity areas.

Technomic publishes a complete library of Consumer Trend Reports. To learn more, please visit technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below.

Contacts:
Press inquiries and report details: Anne Mills, (312) 506-3867, [email protected]
Purchasing details: Patrick Noone, (312) 506-3852, [email protected]

About Technomic
Technomic, Inc., a Winsight company, was founded as a management consulting firm in 1966. Since then, Technomic's services have grown to encompass cloud-based B2B research tools, consumer and menu trend tracking, as well as other leading strategic research and analytic capabilities, to prioritize and size business opportunities. Our clients include food manufacturers and distributors, restaurants, retailers and multiple other business verticals aligned with the food industry that are looking to make informed decisions to support their business growth. Visit Technomic at www.technomic.com.

SOURCE Technomic