Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Mix-and-Match
Mealtime
Consumers satisfy their adventurous eating habits with customizable menus.
3.9
Trend score
Trend
What is the Mix-and-Match Mealtime trend?
Mix-and-Match Mealtime: The individualistic climate of today's market means that customization is the quickest way into the heart of the consumer. Restaurants looking for an edge over the competition are opting for menus with both greater flexibility and affordability. The mix-and-match approach to dining and traditional meals allows for greater experimentation at a lower cost, which appeals to the modern foodie.
Trend themes
Themes within the Mix-and-Match Mealtime trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Customization
The rise of customizable menus in fast casual dining is a response to the individualistic climate of today's market and offers experimentation at a lower cost.
02
Affordability
Restaurant chains are introducing cost-efficient menu options, like Applebee's 'Two for $20' menu, to make trying different dishes easy and affordable.
03
Healthy eating
Offering healthy, low-calorie options like Corner Bakery Cafe's '100 Combos Under 600-Calories' menu is a response to consumer demand for healthier fast casual dining options.
Industry implications
What the Mix-and-Match Mealtime trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Fast casual dining
Customization and cost-efficiency make fast casual dining an ideal industry for disruptive innovation opportunities.
For
Food technology
Technology-driven healthy eating solutions can provide a niche in the food industry and create opportunities for disruptive innovation.
For
Seafood
Fast casual dining concepts like Mainland Poke demonstrate the potential for innovation in seafood menus with customizable options and fresh ingredients.
Workshop question
How could you expand the illusion of choice granted to your customer?
Trend signals
Trend signals for Mix-and-Match Mealtime
Trend score 3.9 out of 10, from popularity 54%, activity 54%, freshness 8%.
Popularity54%
Activity54%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha (not a primary audience)
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Evidence
Examples of the Mix-and-Match Mealtime trend
4 featured examples from Jun 18 to Jul 16, 2015CategoryLifestyle
Buffet-Style Sushi Restaurants
Mainland Poke is a New Dining Concept Offering Custom Sushi Bowls
The buffet-style setting of Mainland Poke and the mix-and-match options it provides has the potential to disrupt traditional dining experiences and practices within the restaurant…
CategoryLifestyle
Customizable Italian Menus
Spoleto Italian's First Location Stateside Boasts Total Customization
Fast casual restaurants can explore the concept of fully customizable menus to cater to consumer preferences.
CategoryLifestyle
Healthy Customizable Lunch Menus
The Corner Bakery Cafe is a Convenience-Focused Lunch Chain
Fast casual dining chains can take note of the success of Corner Bakery Cafe's 100 customizable and health-conscious lunch menus.
CategoryMarketing
Customizable Entree Combos
This Applebee's Menu Makes Trying Different Dishes Affordable
Fast casual restaurants like Applebee's have an opportunity to build on the mix & match trend to drive footfall
