# Microwavable Meatball Subs The Rustlers Marinara Meatball Sub Comes with a Crisping Sleeve By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2023-03-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marinara-meatball-sub References: [talkingretail](https://www.talkingretail.com/products-news/foodtogo/rustlers-launches-marinara-meatball-sub-13-03-2023/) & [rustlersonline](https://rustlersonline.com)  The [Rustlers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rustlers-burgers) Marinara Meatball Sub is being launched by [Kepak](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peri-peri-chicken-burger) as an offering for cost-conscious consumers to pick up when looking to enjoy a hot lunch without having to head to a restaurant or takeaway business. The sandwich comes with a crisping sleeve that will help to give it an authentic takeaway-inspired texture and flavor when heated up in the microwave. The sandwich is meant to replicate the signature favorite amongst shoppers as they seek lower-cost ways to eat well both at home and out of the house. The sandwich comes with marinara sauce to further enhance the authentic nature of the sub. Head of Marketing, Consumer Brands at Kepak Elaine Rothballer spoke on the Rustlers Marinara Meatball Sub saying, "With the increasing cost of living, the rise of the ‘fake-away’ trend is set to continue as consumers seek credible grocery alternatives instead of eating out. Rustlers Meatball Sub taps into this opportunity as it allows shoppers to recreate a much-loved favourite at a great price." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 4% | Activity: 1% | Freshness: 15% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Convenience Food:** Opportunity to innovate in the convenience food sector by developing products that replicate restaurant-quality meals at a lower cost and can be easily heated up. - **Home Meal Replacement:** Opportunity to disrupt the home meal replacement industry by offering affordable, high-quality meal options that are more convenient than cooking from scratch. - **Fake-away Trend:** Opportunity to capitalize on the fake-away trend by offering grocery alternatives that are as delicious and convenient as eating out. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Frozen Food:** Opportunity to disrupt the frozen food industry by offering high-quality, easy-to-prepare meals that provide a more authentic dining experience. - **Fast Food:** Opportunity to innovate in the fast food industry by offering more affordable, convenient meal options that can be enjoyed at home instead of on-the-go. - **Grocery:** Opportunity to disrupt the grocery industry by offering a wider selection of fake-away products that can be easily prepared at home without sacrificing taste or quality. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Restaurant-Inspired Prepackaged Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rustlers-burgers.md) - [Low-Cost Prepackaged Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rustlers.md) - [Flavorful Flame-Broiled Meatballs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/farm-rich-meatball.md) - [Savory Chicken Meatball Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chicken-parmesan-meatball-sub.md) - [Marinara Meatball Subs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ultimate-meatball-sub.md) - [Conveniently Packaged Sub-Style Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/urban-eats-sub-rolls.md) - [Heat-and-Eat Sandwich Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-take-crave-away-sandwiches.md) - [Meatball Menu Additions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/meatballs-and-marinara.md) - [Street Food-Inspired Burger Balls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/burger-balls.md)