Estimated at being worth over £76m a day, the UK breakfast and brunch market is big business and offers massive profits to those who have recognised its potential and caught on to the emerging trends.
Whether you’re a start-up or an established business looking to revamp your breakfast menu, we have put together a guide on how to make the most of the breakfast boom.
Who are you targeting?
Millennials (generally those born between 1982 and 2000) are the largest generation in western history. The Guardian estimated that there were 16.2million Millennials in the UK in 2016, and they’re most profitable market. They’re the generation who loves to eat out and are increasingly keen to eat healthy.In fact, in a recent Nisbets pulse survey, 49% of our customers agreed that healthy eating is to be the biggest expected food trend of 2017.
Younger people are also the least likely to wake up early enough to put a slice of bread under the grill, so you should aim to capitalise on this generation of keen, health-conscious diners.
Rise of grab and go
In the weekdays you’ll want to target those wanting a quick and easy “on the go” breakfast. With more of us working longer hours and starting earlier, and increased traffic extending commute times, many of us don’t have the time to sit in a cafe enjoying a cooked breakfast. Grab and go is the order of the day. Greggs, traditionally known for its lunch time appeal, saw its profits rise by a massive 51% since adding a breakfast menu. The potential is vast and it’s not to be ignored.
The weekend, of course, is when people have the time to venture out and meet friends for a meal. So don’t throw the cutlery out yet, but it’s important to know what your customer wants depending on the time or the day.
Healthy options
Porridge has been a big success for Greggs. Its margins can be very appealing – up to 45-50% gross profit.All you need is disposable pots (which are incredibly cost effective bought in bulk), some fruit and a big box of oats. It’s cheap for you to create and appeals to the health-conscious customer.
Yoghurts, cereal pots and muesli bars are also profitable and healthy options for you to serve.
Classics – baps, baguettes and rolls
While there is a definite move towards healthier and ‘clean eating’ among younger people, there is still huge demand for the classics such as sausage baps, bacon rolls and baguettes. They’re perfect for people on the move; filling, tasty and affordable. They are also profitable to sell and sure to be snapped up by hungry commuters or those who work nearby.
Here is a more comprehensive guide to the perfect breakfast menu which includes the importance of brunch, fruit smoothie ‘quick me ups’ and how you can offer create-and-combine options.
Top 5 UK menu hacks
