Becoming An Electric Vehicle Destination

Create an irresistible new menu item with sliced sandwich waffles

Great with Chicken, Sausage or Bacon!

• Pre-Sliced and Ready to Assemble • Packed in Convenient 5-Count Bags • Ships Frozen with No In-Store Finishing • Made Using Traditional Li�ège Recipes and Pearl Sugar

The Top Five Selection Criteria for Foodservice Packaging

Attribute (in order of importance) Comments

Product Quality • T his is the most important packaging attribute. • It encompasses function, appearance and durability, though we do ask about those separately. Product Availability • This has increased in importance during the supply-chain shortage. Operators have had to juggle between menu applications to ensure they have the proper packaging in place.

Price

Functionality • Trying to balance price and quality (and supply shortages) has been tricky right now. • This fi ts into the quality realm — lids must fi t cups, clam shells must close — the solution must do what it's been sold to do.

Eco-Friendly

Source: Foodservice IP Operator Interviews • This encompasses everything from compostable and recyclable packaging to reducing the waste associated with “too much” packaging, as consumers say. • However, the complaint from operators has been that they sacrifi ce function and durability for eco-friendly material.

Foodservice operators, fresh off the heels of a COVID-19 recession, are well aware of the dangers. Therefore “freebies” like packaging, napkins, water cups, etc. are also the areas where operators look to cut some costs. Some of the major cost-cutting responses are using less expensive material (foam vs. paper), switching to private label or using other distributor sources.

Operators Still Look to Cut Packaging Costs Where it Makes Sense

Cost-Cutting Measure

Using Less Expensive Material

Comments

• Seems to be the most common response for cups, cutlery and napkins. • Shortages exist, so it’s challenging for operators right now to have the buyer’s edge.

Switched to Private Label

Reduced Packaging Waste • We wrote earlier this year about the huge leap in distributor and private-label brands. Non-food distributors have made serious inroads during COVID-19.

• This was experienced most in cutlery. Georgia Pacifi c and

Swedish paper company SCA have come out with singledispensed cutlery in the past.

Distributor Shopping • Looking to wholesalers, paper distributors and others that can meet pricing demands and availability outside of major broadliners has been a strategy.

“Turning the focus to the convenience store segment specifi cally and its patrons, it is clear that portability is paramount. “portability is paramount.

C-STORE CONSUMERS ARE NO EXCEPTION

Turning the focus to the convenience store segment specifi cally and its patrons, it is clear that portability is paramount. Some 57% of shoppers consume prepared foods immediately after purchase. There are certain menu items that are simply purchased less (or not at all) if the packaging doesn’t hold up to enroute requirements.