Technomic's New Takeout Report Highlights Need for Consistency, Convenience

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Jan 13, 2014, 11:15 ET

CHICAGO, Jan. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Today's consumers order takeout on a regular basis. In fact, more than half (51 percent) report doing so at least once a week. When consumers think of takeout, fast food usually comes to mind. However, with the exception of fast-food concepts, prepared foods from grocery stores are utilized more often for takeout than any other segment.

Takeout poses special challenges for operators and catering programs, but is also an attractive way to increase unit sales, especially as the economy continues to recover. Focusing on creating products specific to takeout—not just logistics—will help grow programs.

[View related infographic: Spotlight on Takeout]

"Convenience is key for the takeout customer," said Joe Pawlak, Senior Vice President at Technomic. "They want consistently high-quality, well-packaged meal solutions that can be sourced in truly convenient ways. Enhanced amenities and services—from updated delivery and call-ahead services to easy-to-use mobile apps and online ordering platforms—can help provide an edge over competitors and improve takeout and catering sales."

To help foodservice executives understand the latest behaviors, preferences and attitudes of consumers regarding takeout, including carryout, catering and delivery, Technomic has published its Takeout & Off-Premise Dining Consumer Trend Report. Interesting findings include:

Takeout consumers expect consistency and look for takeout fare to match dine-in occasions; out of all traffic drivers measured, including freshness, temperature and portion size, consumers say it is most important for takeout and dine-in food to taste the same (68 percent).
More than half of consumers (56 percent) say a convenient location is one of the most important factors in deciding where to purchase takeout; 48 percent report that quick food preparation is an important consideration in this decision.
Call-ahead services are vital; 69 percent of limited-service takeout customers and 61 percent of full-service takeout consumers say they would likely use call-ahead ordering if it was offered.

Technomic's Takeout & Off-Premise Dining Consumer Trend Report provides comprehensive research on the latest menu and consumer trends for takeout offerings and service formats, organized into five sections:

Menu Insights—details the latest menu, marketing and concept-positioning trends related to restaurant and retail-based takeout programs, based on Technomic's extensive research.

Consumer Insights—analyzes consumer preferences and attitudes toward takeout, based on findings from a nationally representative survey of 1,500 U.S. consumers.

Competitive Insights—examines consumer perceptions of takeout capabilities and takeout packaging at 40 leading limited- and full-service chains, based on Technomic's Consumer Brand Metrics (CBM) program.

Outlook: Trends to Watch—explores emerging menu, concept and consumer trends that are poised to impact how restaurant operators promote takeout in the future.

Profiles—appendices feature in-depth profiles for 10 trend-setting foodservice brands featuring menus and service formats that are positioned around takeout.

Technomic publishes a complete library of consumer trend reports. To learn more, please visit Technomic.com or contact one of the individuals listed below. For Technomic updates, please follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn or our blog.

Contacts:

Press Inquiries: Joe Pawlak, 312-506-3940, or [email protected]

Purchasing Details: Patrick Noone, 312-506-3852, or [email protected]

Report Details: Kelly Weikel, 312-506-3830, or [email protected]

About Technomic

Technomic provides clients with the facts, insights and consulting support they need to enhance their business strategies, decisions and results. Its services include numerous publications and digital products, as well as proprietary studies and ongoing research on all aspects of the food industry.

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SOURCE Technomic