A new flavor trend report finds that while consumer demand for flavor innovation is high, consumers’ willingness to try new flavors varies by dining occasion.
The finding, courtesy of Technomic’s 2019 Flavor Consumer Trend Report, means that consumers are less likely to experiment with flavors when ordering delivery rather than dine-in or takeout. Therefore, dine-in experiences can be tailored to the more experimental diner.
Additionally, foodservice establishments can offer foods exclusive to specific order formats, such as dine-in or delivery-only menus or free delivery promotions for specific menu items.
Other key findings from the report:
- 68 percent of consumers agree that they’re more likely to visit a restaurant that offers new flavors
- 46 percent of consumers are hesitant to try new flavors because they don’t want to pay for something that they aren’t sure they’ll like
- 20 percent of millennials actively seek out new flavors to try on a regular basis
“Consumers are already hesitant to pay for something they might not like when trying new dishes, and the added cost of delivery simply exacerbates this concern,” says Charles Winship, manager at Technomic. “Operators may consider bringing more familiar ingredients and flavors to the forefront of their off-premise marketing or providing an incentive, such as a waived delivery fee, for new dishes ordered for delivery.”
