BALANCING SAFETY AND CONVENIENCE

Grab and Go!

As operators work to fine-tune their carryout and delivery menus, innovative grab-and-go offerings may be next on the horizon. While traditional kiosks and self-serve stations are mostly off limits, the concept of pre-packaged meals and snacks can still play out in fresh and interesting ways.

Be sure to explore the opportunity for grab-and-go in foodservice by examining its popularity in retail. After an initial downturn at the start of the pandemic, supermarket grab-and-go has demonstrated strong growth in the past few months (Produce Business, 2020)—and restaurant operators are taking notice. In fact, some restaurants have pivoted to a “pop-up provisions” model, converting dining rooms into mini markets. Others have teamed up with local retailers to offer signature meals in the prepared foods section of the grocery store.

Within your operation, consider a “no-contact” grab-and-go strategy to give your customers piece of mind while maintaining control over your sanitation practices. A curated menu of bowl meals, sandwiches, soups, salads and other ready-to-eat offerings can be pre-packaged back-of-house, and customers can order and pay ahead of time for added convenience and security.

  • Snacking KitsSnacking Kits

    As consumers are spending more time at home, offering curated snack kits can be a great way to drive business at non-traditional mealtimes. Bundles that meet sweet or savory afternoon snack cravings can be a great add-on to lunch specials, too. Try these ideas from our chefs or create your own kit composed of products from our well-known consumer brands.

BETTER-FOR-YOU SNACK KIT

  • Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP® Sweet & Salty Kettle Corn
  • Gardein® Original Ultimate Plant-Based Jerky
  • DAVID® Energy Packed Mix Sea Salt
   

GLUTEN FREE SNACK KIT

  • DAVID®; Energy Packed Mix Ranch
  • Glutino® Gluten-Free Pretzel Twists
  • Duke’s® Original Recipe Smoked Shorty Sausages 
  • Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP® Sea Salt Popcor

STUCK AT HOME SNACK KIT

  • Swiss Miss® White Chocolate Hot Chocolate Envelopes
  • Crunch ‘n Munch® Sweet Creations Birthday Cake
  • Angie’s BOOMCHICKAPOP® Cheddar Cheese Popcorn
  • Andy Capp’s® Ranch Fries
  

CLASSIC FAVORITES SNACK KIT

  • Andy Capp’s® Cheddar Fries
  • Crunch ‘n Munch® Buttery Toffee
  • DAVID® Original In-Shell Sunflower Seeds
  • Swiss Miss® Regular Hot Chocolate Envelopes

5 Doable Menu Adaptations

Be sure to sign up to download our “5 Doable Menu Adaptations” guide and check out our other business-building resources. You’ll find more ideas for meal and snack kits along with valuable rebate offers!

 

By the Numbers

By the Numbers

 

1Doug Ohlemeier, “Grab-and-Go Items Increase Sales During Pandemic,” Produce Business, August 12, 2020.

2Datassential, “One Table Consumer Data Tables,” May 2020.

3Jennifer Strailey, “Grab-and-Go Goes Wild,” Winsight Grocery Business, August 21, 2020.

The Quick Dish

CHANGING FOR THE LONG HAUL
Many restaurants have found success in the menu and operational changes implemented over the past few months. Here are some of the strategies that operators say they intend to keep in place for the long term.

The Quick Dish

Datassential, “COVID-19 Report 29: Operators Dig In,” July 31, 2020.

That's A Wrap

When it comes to easy grab-and-go items that can be added to your menu, nothing beats a wrap! Whether served hot or cold, they’re perfect for all dayparts. Try these new wrapped sandwich and burrito recipes from the Conagra Foodservice chef team!

FARMER’S GARDEIN® WRAP

Sautéed Gardein® Chick’n Strips, fresh spinach and roasted corn salsa with RO*TEL® Original Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilies fill an Udi’s® Gluten Free Extra Large Tortilla, creating a flavorful and colorful plant-based sandwich

View Recipe

BEEFLESS BURRITO

This hearty burrito wrapped in an Udi’s® Gluten Free Extra Large Tortilla makes for a satisfying meatless meal on the go. It’s stuffed with chipotle-seasoned Gardein® Ground Crumble, brown rice, Ranch Style® Beans with Zesty Red Pepper, shredded lettuce, sour cream and avocado.

View Recipe

Follow us on Instragram

You’ll find even more delicious recipe ideas on our Instagram, @conagrafoodservice

Brand Focus

Grab-and-go is on the rise, and products from Conagra Foodservice can be used across your menu to meet this growing consumer demand. Our popular consumer brands add excitement and value to meals, snack offerings, pop-up grocery kiosks and more.

GardeinUdi'sAngie'sDavidDuke'sCrunch 'N MunchGlutinoSwiss MissAndy CappsRotel

Operator Spotlight

From fast casual to fine dining, restaurants across the foodservice industry are getting into the grab-and-go game. Here are some ways operators are reinventing their menus with signature offerings created especially for grab-and-go.

Daisies (Chicago)
This back dining room of this notable Italian restaurant has been transformed into an upscale grocery, stocked with fresh produce and signature homemade pastas. Grab-and-go lunch service is decidedly more casual, featuring cold salads by the pint and specialty sandwiches.

Porridge + Puffs (Los Angeles)
Pivoting to give customers more in-store pickup options, this fine dining restaurant now allows patrons to enjoy a five-course meal at home or stock up on provisions like savory porridge, housemade shallot vinaigrette, sourdough starter and umami trail mix.

Buttermilk Kitchen (Atlanta)
With a focus on sustainability and local ingredients, this breakfast spot sells biscuit mixes, buttermilk pancake kits and jars of signature condiments, including blackberry-basil jam and rye whiskey syrup.

Fairgrounds (various)
The regional craft coffee and tea chain supplements beverage offerings with easy grab-and-go breakfast and lunch specials, including overnight oats, matcha chia pudding, egg salad and even full pints of housemade dressings like Thai sunbutter and harissa Caesar.