Snack-sized insights for big business impact | Lamb Weston

^{Datassential Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023}

Take advantage of consumer interest in snacking to drive traffic

Snacks might seem like small potatoes, but they play a big role in consumer eating. Consumers report that 28% of their daily calorie intake comes from snacks; and nearly 3 in 4 consumers replace meals with snacks at least once a week (Datassential’s Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023). Learn about consumer snacking behaviors, trend influences like social media (girl dinner, anyone?), and ways restaurants can compete (and win!) in the snacking space.

More consumers say they have increased snacking over the past year (compared to those who reported decreased snacking), with one-third saying they have snacks more frequently. This number is higher for younger consumers, with 42% of Gen Z and 43% of Millennials reporting more frequent snacking (Datassential’s Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023).

^{Datassential Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023}

While 46% of all consumers would order fried appetizers or sides from restaurants outside of a regular meal, this number jumps to 56% for Gen Z and 60% for Millennials (Datassential’s Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023). Fried appetizers and sides (like fries) are an opportunity to draw in business outside of regular mealtimes, especially with younger consumers.

^{Datassential Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023}

Smart snack innovation

Fried appetizers and sides are the top snack type offered by restaurants, and fries are top-menued among these. Look to trending fry dishes and formats to stand out from the crowd – think globally-inspired loaded fries (like kimchi fries) or different fry formats (like wedge fries). For smart snack innovation without added SKUs, look for trends that take advantage of on-hand ingredients. For example, combine fries and buffalo chicken (from an existing sandwich or appetizer menu item) with inspiration from Lamb Weston’s recipe for Buffalo Chicken Fries.

^{Datassential Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023}

^{Penetration on appetizers/side menus in Datassential MenuTrends, YE June 2023}

^{Growth on appetizers/side menus over the past 4 years in Datassential MenuTrends, YE June 2023}

^{Datassential Snacking Keynote Report, July 2023}

^{* highest uniqueness with above-average purchase interest}

Best in snacks

Which recent snack limited-time offers (LTOs) scored highest with consumers? In terms of appeal and uniqueness*, both winners are craveable loaded potato dishes. Take inspiration from highly-appealing campfire potatoes with a specialty garlic butter or from a unique Philly cheesesteak twist on loaded tots. Craveable elements like cheese, butter, and creamy sauce connect these top snacks to consumers’ top snack motivation: satisfying a craving.

^{Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES); top chain side/app menu introductions, Feb 2023 – Jul 2023}

^{top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)}

^{above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)}

LTO inspiration by generation

The most unique** snack LTOs by generation reveal additional inspiration. Think creamy sauces (for topping fries or dipping handheld snacks) and creative protein additions (like premium crab, globally-inspired carne asada, or an Irish twist with corned beef). These unique LTOs add interest through loaded fry builds and unexpected handheld formats.

^{**with above-average purchase interest}

^{Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES); top chain side/app menu introductions, Feb 2023 – Jul 2023}

^{top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)}

^{above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)}

Snacks in social media

Snack trends have enormous consumer engagement on social media! On TikTok, the snackable hashtag #foodboard trend has reached 1.6 billion views¹, spanning dessert boards, French fry boards, butter boards, and more. Recently, “girl dinner” – a dinner comprised entirely of snacks – has taken off, with hashtag #girldinner reaching nearly 2 billion views.¹ With built-in consumer engagement, consider capitalizing on social media snack trends with on-hand menu items to drive traffic. Girl dinner LTOs can be created with existing side dishes; for example, a top QSR chicken chain recently created a special sides-focused Girl Dinner Menu for a limited time. For more social media inspiration, check out Lamb Weston’s recipe for Yuzu Beet Aioli (pictured left) for a hashtag #pinksauce twist on fries.

Dynamic duos

A simple way to create new snack concepts is by combining existing menu items. See below for two crowd-pleasing takes on pairing fries and fried onions. One combines two side options into one so consumers don’t have to choose, and the other creates an entirely new fried appetizer mashup of two existing appetizers. Positioning on-hand items as a whole new snack can appeal to consumers without breaking the bank!

^{Datassential Concept Testing (SCORES)}

^{top performer for item type, generation (>90th percentile)}

^{above average for item type, generation (70th to 90th percentile)}

Plenty of appetite for snacks

With consumer snacking on the rise, restaurants have an opportunity to drive traffic through smart snack innovation. Take inspiration from restaurant snack trends and snackable limited-time offers, and apply these to on-hand fried appetizer and side dishes for innovation without added SKUs. Finally, pay attention to social media and consider how to take advantage of trends – like hashtag #girldinner – with built-in consumer engagement from billions of social media views!