The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a formal warning to McDonald’s in relation to its “Send to Friends” e-marketing campaign for McDonald’s Happy Meals. Various food companies in Australia have been criticised in the past year by consumer groups for targeting children in their marketing  (see recent Australian Food News reports such as criticism of Kellogg’s, criticism of junior sport promotion, and parental concerns about so-called pester power at supermarkets). Yet... ...Read more »

For many forecasters of 2013 predictions, there is a predicted focus on vegetables and healthier meals, in line with on-going global concerns regarding obesity. Some groups have predicted that restaurants and chefs will take on the responsibility of providing healthier options, but others have predicted that consumers will be seeking out their own healthier alternatives, or what they perceive to be more “natural” (which they also associate with “healthiness”). Aside from “health”... ...Read more »

Recent research on US consumers’ expanded usage of restaurants and retailers for catering has found that fast-casual restaurants are expected to outperform all other players. Consumer research company Technomic found that fast-casual restaurants in the United States have a projected growth rate of 12 per cent over the next three years, well-ahead of quick-service sandwich restaurants (8 per cent) and club stores such as Costco (7 per cent). Technomic reported overall, restaurants are now capturing... ...Read more »

Eating alone has become as common as eating together in America, according to new research on eating occasions by US market researcher, The Hartman Group. Analysis of the data reveals that close to half (46 percent) of all adult eating occasions are now solitary eating occasions and 40 percent of all adult meals (excluding snacking occasions) are eaten alone. Laurie Demeritt, The Hartman Group’s president and COO said that one of the most interesting aspects of the trend toward eating alone... ...Read more »

New US research has revealed that foodservice locations need to cater to their target market’s  household income, household size and cost of living when creating menu options and pricing. The Influence of Income Consumer Trend Report recently released by Technomic reveals that ‘affluence level’ rather than income is determining menu item success. Although it was reported that twice as many affluent than working class people consume food-service weekly, they only make up a small amount of the... ...Read more »

The 19th century American writer Mark Twain famously said sacred cows make the best hamburgers. Of course, he was speaking figuratively about challenges to conventional beliefs in America, and not about India. Yet, how the wheel has turned. A century later, McDonald’s, the fast food purveyors of the  iconic beef-based Big Mac hamburger,  will be opening the first vegetarian-only McDonald’s restaurant, anywhere in the world, in India in 2013. McDonald’s has adapted menus to local tastes... ...Read more »

Food safety standards in retail food and foodservice outlets across NSW have increased significantly,  New South Wales Minister for Primary Industries Katrina Hodgkinson said in an announcement  today. Ms Hodgkinson said the number of retail food outlets which comply with food safety standards has more than doubled since 2008. “Businesses are making more of an effort to ensure their workplaces are clean and hygienic which is great news for consumers,” Ms Hodgkinson said. The Minister... ...Read more »

The highest proportion of Australians to visit fast food restaurants during 2011 were aged between 35 and 49 years old, according to market research company Roy Morgan Research. The figures come from a survey of 18,641 Australians aged over 14-years-old, undertaken by Roy Morgan Research during 2011. Over the twelve months to December 2011, the 35-49 year age group accounted for 67 per cent of respondents who said they had visited or purchased from a fast food restaurant in an average four week period. The... ...Read more »

Kraft Foodservice, a US division of food giant Kraft Foods Global Inc., has published 6 trend predictions on what it believes will shape foodservice in the US over the next 12 months. The predictions, which are from Kraft Foodservice chefs and food experts, are as follows: - Customisation: Customisation allows restaurateurs to create a unique interaction with their diners. For example, boutique burger chains are carving a niche because of that customisation, where they’re willing to jeopardise... ...Read more »

A new national online restaurants directory, featuring 35,000 of Australia’s restaurants, cafes and takeaways has been launched today. The Australian Restaurants Directory (www.australianrestaurantsdirectory.com.au) aims to help the public find restaurants easily and promotes restaurants to diners. The directory is the brainchild of Christina Landis, who is the managing director of Future Media Group, which also produces the online Australian Lawyers Directory and Australian Schools Directory. Ms... ...Read more »