Category
Business
Assisted Conversion
Trend cluster
Category
Automated Meal
Plan
New business models for on-campus meal plans deliver heightened quality.
3.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Automated Meal Plan trend?
Automated Meal Plan: Increasingly, food service providers are shifting their business models to better leverage emerging technology and automation to supercharge college meal plans. These new business models speak to an area of opportunity that not only fulfills what students want, but also overcomes common logistical challenges that come with preparing affordable food at an industrial level.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Automated Meal Plan trend
Gen Z and Millennials consumers are accustomed to automated convenience in the products and services they use. Retail channels that leverage automation often provide shorter lines and quicker service, appealing to busy consumers balancing both work and school who are trying to find time to enjoy a nutritious meal.
Trend themes
Themes within the Automated Meal Plan trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Automation in Food Services
Food service providers are shifting towards automation to supercharge meal plans and provide affordable, nutritious options for busy students and consumers.
02
Plant-Forward Menus
Colleges are redesigning their food offerings to appeal to a health and environment-conscious Generation Z, with plant-forward meals and sustainable sourcing.
03
Healthy Meal Delivery
Convenient and reasonably priced meal delivery services, like Mealpro, are providing students and busy consumers with pre-cooked meals that prioritize health and quality ingredients.
Industry implications
What the Automated Meal Plan trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Food Service
Companies in the food service industry can explore automation and plant-forward menu options to appeal to health and environment-conscious consumers.
For
Meal Delivery
The meal delivery industry can capitalize on the demand for healthy and convenient meal options for busy students and consumers who prioritize health and quality ingredients.
For
Home Meal Kits
Companies in the home meal kit industry can provide meal kits filled by loved ones with homemade dishes, for a personalized and healthy meal delivery option.
Workshop question
Identify a usage bubble in your industry. How might your brand use technology and automation to disrupt this?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Automated Meal Plan
Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 62%, activity 47%, freshness 9%.
Popularity62%
Activity47%
Freshness9%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
South America
Africa
Evidence
Examples of the Automated Meal Plan trend
6 featured examples from Apr 19, 2018 to Sep 21, 2020CategoryLifestyle
Healthy Student Meal Deliveries
Mealpro Delivers Health-Conscious Meal Plans to One's Door
The healthy meal delivery service provided by Mealpro represents an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the food delivery industry.
CategoryLifestyle
Campus Food Delivery Programs
Good Uncle's Offerings Can Complement Students' Existing Meal Plans
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Use automation and robotics to create a cost-effective and efficient food delivery service specifically targeted at college and university campu…
CategoryLifestyle
Homemade Meal Delivery Startups
From Home With Love Lets Parents Send Homemade Meals to Their Kids
The food delivery industry, including big players and startups, can explore homemade meal delivery options to expand their service offerings.
CategoryTech
Collegiate Food Delivery Robots
These Autonomous Robots Deliver Food to Hungry University Students
The integration of autonomous food delivery robots offers a disruptive innovation opportunity in the food delivery industry.
CategoryLifestyle
Farm-to-Table Cafeteria Trucks
Uproot is Bringing Locally Sourced Meals to High School Students
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Transform traditional cafeteria offerings in various food service settings by incorporating locally sourced and healthier menu options.
CategoryEco
Plant-Forward College Food Menus
Aramark is Redesigning Its Offerings to Appeal to Generation Z
Food service providers can adopt eco-friendly initiatives and incorporate plant-based options to appeal to a growing demographic of environmentally conscious consumers.
