“The demand for better-for-you options will likely continue as menu-labeling laws go into effect,” says Eric Giandelone, director of foodservice research at Mintel. “Once customers see how much fat and calories are in their favorite breakfast foods, they will be more inclined to try a healthier alternative, and restaurant operators should adjust their menus accordingly.”
Another tack for restaurants to take is on convenience. Forty-three percent of restaurant users say they rarely have time to eat breakfast at home during the week, but another 50% say it’s just too time-consuming to stop for breakfast at a restaurant. Almost half of restaurant-goers say convenience is an important selection factor when dining out for breakfast.
“Convenience clearly is a significant factor; everyone’s time is precious in the morning. And of course, cost continues to be a concern,” adds Giandelone. “In a perfect world, restaurants will want to focus development efforts on how to provide patrons with easy, healthy and flavorful breakfasts that are not cost prohibitive. Or at least target some of those points.”
Mintel’s research also found that popular breakfast menu items vary by the day of the week. Breakfast sandwiches are the most popular on weekdays with 42% of restaurant-goers, while platter meals are the clear favorite on the weekends with 43%.
Photo: This no-cook Sunrise Morning Start breakfast parfait by Chef Sarah Chavez is a high-protein feast of Kamut® Brand Khorasan wheat, buckwheat groats, Colusari™ red rice, whole-grain quinoa flakes and whole brown flax seed blended into vanilla organic yogurt and milk with grated Granny Smith apple, sliced banana, seedless grapes, honey and lemon juice, topped with nuts and seasonal berries. Courtesy of Indian Harvest/Rob Yuretich