Rated lowbrow but brilliant by New York Magazine, Dunkin Donuts appears to have a hit on their hips, er hands, with the newly introduced M & M topped donut and the Milky Way hot chocolate drink. Calories? Don't ask. The new donut combination is getting rave reviews from the blogosphere, which we all know as a reliable source.
Implications - Though today's consumer is still health conscious, there is a wave of hyper indulgence hitting the underground cuisine industry. This may be the result of the end of the credit crunch, with consumers having rationed with caution for months. Ultimately, everyone can use some indulgent behavior every once in awhile.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Hyper-indulgence
- Opportunity to cater to consumers who seek indulgent and extravagant food options.
- Underground Cuisine
- Potential for innovative and creative food concepts that push the boundaries of traditional cuisine.
- Credit Crunch Recovery
- Opportunity to provide indulgent offerings now that consumers have more disposable income.
Where This Applies
- Fast Food
- Innovations could focus on creating new indulgent menu items to attract customers.
- Cafe and Coffeehouse
- Opportunity to offer indulgent drinks and desserts to cater to customers looking for a treat.
- Food and Beverage Manufacturing
- Potential for creating indulgent food and beverage products to meet the demand for hyper-indulgence.
