Consumers Hungry for More Sandwich Variety

CHICAGOFindings from Technomics new Sandwich Consumer Trend Report reveal that only 52 percent of consumers are satisfied with the variety of sandwiches available at sub shops and delis, while just 42 percent are satisfied with the sandwich offerings at full-service restaurants. Eighteen- to 24-year-olds are least satisfied, at 44 percent and 40 percent respectively.

The report contains menu, consumer and competitive insights that will help industry professionals understand current and emerging menu trends and consumer consumption behavior, purchasing decisions, attitudes and preferences toward sandwiches. Additional findings include:

Most consumers (81 percent) have purchased a sandwich away from home at least once in the past 60 days. Among these consumers, 93 percent eat at least one sandwich a week, and 59 percent say they eat at least three sandwiches a week.

More than three-fourths of consumers surveyed (77 percent) say they have eaten a hamburger in the past 60 days. Beyond burgers, 57 percent say they had eaten deli sandwiches and about half had eaten tacos or burritos (52 percent) or sub sandwiches (47 percent) in the same period.

More than four in five consumers say quality and taste drive their selection of where to purchase a sandwich for both lunch (84 percent) and dinner (82 percent). Overall value and price round out the top three traffic drivers, with more than seven in 10 consumers citing each as a reason for choosing a specific restaurant for lunch and dinner sandwich purchases.

More than four out of five consumers indicate that the quality of meat (86 percent), freshness of ingredients (84 percent), and quality of bread (81 percent) have the most impact in making a good sandwich.

The vast majority of consumers report that customization (77 percent) and quantity of ingredients (75 percent) are crucial factors to creating a good sandwich.