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Even in France, a country known for its long and relaxed eating occasions, consumption of on-the-go food and drink products is already above the European average and set to increase, a Datamonitor report suggests.

Finding healthy and nutritious products when on-the-go, however, proves extremely difficult for many. Some 41 per cent of the French population is overweight or obese, the report says, and although consumers are increasingly aware of the need to change their diet, the increase in eating on-the-go impairs their ability to maintain healthy diets. [Read more…] about Consumption of on-the-go is rising rapidly throughout Europe

New soup concepts are emerging in many different forms. My latest discovery is the Swedish concept Souperb. They supply restaurants and cafees whole sales and also have their own outlet in Gallaria ? a mall in the center of Stockholm.

Menu:
– Saffron Seafood Soup
– Green Curry Chicken Soup
– Roasted Tomato Soup
– Tandoori Chicken Soup
– Classic Vegetable Soup
– Creamy Seafood Soup
– Souperb Seasonal Soup
– Sweet Beef Tokyo
– Hot Chicken Bangkok
– Spicy Chicken Bombay
– Creamy Seafood Panang

The concept is well suited for malls, airports railway stations and other travelsumer situations.

Photo and weblink click more [Read more…] about Souperb … is all about great soup of course

Home base: Cedar Falls, Iowa
Units: 40 original; 1 new prototype
Seats: 50 to 70
Check average: $7
Average unit volume: $875,000
Growth plans: 3 more in 2003, then controlled growth through multi-unit operators
Web site: www.pickermans.com
Why watch it?: Innovative dinner offerings and soup focus should bode well for business.

Pickerman?s The Original Soup Cafe?the new, fast-casual incarnation of Pickerman?s Soup and Sandwich Shop?kicks menu and atmosphere up a notch to keep customers coming in both noon and night.

[Read more…] about Pickerman?s The Original Soup Cafe

As away-from-home meal spending continues to intensify, the supermarket industry gears up.

With “quick” and “convenient” the latest bywords, shoppers are increasingly choosing time over money, especially at mealtime. Whether it’s picking up a pizza on the way home from work, ordering takeout from a local eatery, or swinging by the supermarket deli, consumers are eating more meals away from home than ever before.

And if the latest government research proves correct, we ain’t seen nothing yet. According to a U.S. Dept. of Agriculture report, Food Expenditures by U.S. Households: Looking Ahead to 2020, consumer spending on away-from-home meals will increase 8.1 percent over the next two decades, good news indeed for the nation’s existing successful prepared foods leaders.

Source: Progressive Grocer 10/15/2003

This clipping confirms what i have been ‘preaching’ for a while now. The next big competitor for restaurants is not new restaurants but new formats in supermarket. The following clipping from Progressive Grocer; 10/15/2003, Vol. 82 Issue 15, p42, 3p, 2c clearly show that syupermarket are aware of the fact that meals are increasing a moving from food retail to Food service:

“Because takeout continues to be an increasingly important dining option for Americans, supermarket retailers seeking to better connect with customers should pay attention to the latest research by the National Restaurant Association (NRA).

[Read more…] about US Pool poll measures full-service restaurant takeout trends