Snacking is a well-loved activity for many Americans. Recently, it’s also become a booming industry throughout the world, with global snack sales reaching a total of $374 billion in March 2014. Great American Cookies, a well-established cookie franchise, notes that snack food franchises and quick service restaurants continue to grow in the US and show no signs of slowing down.
The current landscape presents opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. Investing in a franchise gives them the support they need to capitalize on the market trends fully.
Grab-and-Go Snacks for Fast Lifestyles
Snacking is virtually a part of the American culture, with more than 50 percent of adults snacking two to three times a day. The behavior is attributed to society’s fast pace of living. Consumers are leaning more towards grab-and-go snacks and food items. In fact, a busy household spends an average of $133 per year on individual snack items.
Even with the healthy food trend, most consumers still prefer the convenience afforded to them by individually-packaged snacks. They are more likely to purchase these less healthy snacks because they are more readily available than healthier options.
The Most Popular Snacks
Dairy products, confections, cookies, and jerky are among the top snack foods, according to a Nielsen survey. This applies whether they’re truly hungry, bored, or stressed. Chocolate, chips, and dried fruit are popular among office employees. People who travel often enjoy similar snacks, as well as beef jerky, on-the-go breakfast food, and cookies or other sugary food.
Cereal, granola, and other health bars are also enjoying a rise in popularity thanks to the health food movement.
Going Non-Traditional
College campuses, hospitals, and large company buildings are ideal snack franchise locations for both business owners and consumers. These non-traditional franchise sites feature high foot traffic. It also has more limited competition, especially compared to traditional locations, such as malls or shopping center.
Moreover, these locations allow franchisees to take better advantage of the public’s need for on-the-go snacks. Setting up shop directly where consumers usually spend their time means greater convenience and availability of the snacks they want. This, in turn, helps franchisees tap into the growing industry and have better chances of success.