“Fresh” changes abound in the lunch daypart, as retailers, foodservice operators and consumers seek out protein options that are perceived healthier without sacrificing taste or quality.
More than half of Americans (54 percent) say their typical weekday lunch is leftovers from home, but nearly as many (48 percent) say they enjoy a homemade sandwich with meat, according to Chicago-based Mintel International’s Bacon and Lunch Meat – US - October 2016 report. One in five consumers (21 percent) say they eat a salad with meat they made at home for lunch. In addition, refrigerated/frozen entrées, such as Lean Cuisine and Healthy Choice, account for 17 percent of consumers’ choices at lunch, while 9 percent say they eat refrigerated or frozen pre-made sandwiches, such as Oscar Mayer Deli Creations or Lean Cuisine Panini, at lunch.
The NPD Group, Chicago, also finds sandwiches are a top lunchtime entrée for meals made at home. “We don’t want to spend a lot of time at lunch, so more than 60 percent of our lunches are prepared in less than 10 minutes,” says Darren Seifer, NPD’s food and beverage industry analyst. “A sandwich fits that bill.”