# Pre-Packed Eatery Packaged meal kits are organized by brands in response to the COVID-19 crisis. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Apr 8, 2020 | Category: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/business-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/prepacked-food ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.9/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Pre-Packed Eatery trend? **Pre-Packed Eatery:** Pre-packaged meal kits are offering consumers convenient alternatives to grocery shopping, as enforced physical distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic has forced them to rely more on homemade foods than they're accustomed to. ## The consumer insight behind the Pre-Packed Eatery trend With many people not currently working, or not having to spend long hours in their day commuting, some consumers have more free time than they're accustomed to. On the other hand, consumers who are having to work from home while raising children and taking care of family members may find themselves busier than ever. Convenient and curated meal options for both sets of consumers are crucial--as for the former they help organize one's day, and for the latter they provide much-needed ease and convenience. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 29 to Apr 25, 2020 - Published: Apr 8, 2020 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Curation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/curation), [Simplicity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/simplicity), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Pre-Packed Eatery trend ### Pre-Packaged Meal Kits As consumers are relying more heavily on homecooked meals during COVID-19, pre-packaged meal kits offer convenient and curated meal options. ### Restaurant Grocery Services With grocery stores selling out of many popular products, restaurant chains such as Panera are taking advantage of their supply network to offer essential pantry items through their own grocery services. ### Locally-Sourced Subscription Boxes Delivery box services such as Pop Up Grocer Box are helping small businesses during the pandemic by providing a way for consumers to access their products while social distancing. ## What the Pre-Packed Eatery trend means for industry ### For Meal Kit Delivery The rise of pre-packaged meal kits presents an opportunity for meal kit delivery companies to offer curated meal options that provide ease and convenience to consumers. ### For Grocery Stores With restaurant chains and delivery services offering grocery services, grocery stores should consider innovative ways to adapt to the current situation such as contactless delivery or implementing a subscription box service. ### For Local Small Businesses Subscription box services present an opportunity for small businesses to reach consumers outside of their geographical location and connect with new audiences. ## Workshop question How is your brand easing its customers' routines as they adjust to enforced physical distancing? ## Trend signals for Pre-Packed Eatery Trend score 4.9 out of 10, from popularity 77%, activity 61%, freshness 9%. - Popularity: 77% - Activity: 61% - Freshness: 9% ## Examples of the Pre-Packed Eatery trend 6 featured examples from Mar 29 to Apr 25, 2020. - [Locally-Sourced Subscription Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-up-grocer-box): The Pop Up Grocer Box Offers Snacks, Body Care, and More (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introduce locally-sourced subscription boxes that provide unique and artisanal food and snack options. - [Restaurant-Curated Necessities Kits](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/necessity-offerings): Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Has Launched Its Own Necessity Offerings (Category: Business) Implication: The food services industry can create opportunity by offering curated necessity kits that include a variety of food items and essential supplies. - [Restaurant Grocery Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panera-grocery): Panera Grocery Helps People Purchase In-Demand Pantry Staples (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food delivery industry can leverage contactless delivery and grocery services to adapt to changing consumer needs and improve customer satisfaction. - [Ready-To-Cook Steaks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/readytocook-steaks): Texas Roadhouse is Selling Ready-To-Cook Steaks for Home Cooking (Category: Business) Implication: Food service providers can expand their market reach by introducing ready-to-cook meals. - [Family-Friendly Diner Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shareable-family-packs): The Denny's Shareable Family Packs Has Enough Food for Large Families (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Restaurants can disrupt the industry by focusing on family-friendly meal pack offerings and implementing contactless delivery technology. - [Neighborhood-Themed Food Boxes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-tour): Culinary Adventure Co.'s Food Tour Boxes Offer a Taste of Toronto (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leveraging neighborhood-themed food boxes as a way for local food and beverage businesses to promote and sell their products to a wider audience. ## Recent trend clusters - [Keepsake Countdowns](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/holiday-countdown-gifts) (Business) - [Gentle Diagnostics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/home-heart-screening) (Lifestyle) - [Targeted Macros](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-protein-ingredients) (Lifestyle) - [Flavor Borrowing](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/soft-drink-flavor-mashups) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Business - [Performance-Based Creator Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/creator-ad-platforms) - [Fashionable Frozen Yogurts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-aok-caf) - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Natural Deodorant Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/target-beauty-studios) All articles: [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business)