News

Mintel Menu to track regional trends

May 2, 2007

CHICAGO — Mintel Menu Insights is now exploring key market menu data regionally.

Along with Mintel Menu Insights' core data sets — 350 chain, 150 independent, 50 top chef, 25 beverage and five buffet restaurants — Mintel Menu now tracks 50 chain-restaurant menus from Chicago, Los Angeles, New York and Atlanta.

"Clients can now take a closer look at menu trends, using more localized data," said Maria Caranfa, director of Mintel Menu Insights. "Restaurant offerings evolve differently based upon location. This new enhancement provides insight into the menu variations in each city, providing key information companies need to design and market their menu items."

With the newest regional enhancement, Mintel Menu clients can further analyze food and beverage menu items and prices that are offered through chains across multiple cities. If a national restaurant chain offers a line of premium coffee or specialty hamburgers in a key city, clients can use the database extension to see what other markets may have similar menu items and marketplace gaps.

"These key cities are important when restaurant operators and manufacturers are looking for new ideas, trend validation, or competitive analysis," Caranfa said. "Companies now have a resource to track key rollouts and innovations within these cities."