News

True confessions: Consumers take credit for catered meals

December 12, 2013

More than one-third of consumers confess to skimping on the Christmas meal so they can focus their cash on gifts, according to a new survey conducted by Boston Market. The survey also found that more than half of consumers will put prepared foods on their Christmas table. In a statistic that will surely put doubt in many young minds about Grandma's "secret family recipe" for stuffing, a full third of consumers said they would quietly take credit for dishes they did not actually prepare.

Finally, it found that not all Christmas meals actually happen on Christmas Day: One-fourth of all households will have their main holiday meal on Christmas Eve.

Boston Market is using these stats to its advantage, pointing out that it has a wide variety of Christmas dinner options to feed anywhere from four to 12 people — and each of them under $100.

"The Christmas season is full of so many experiences — gift shopping, holiday parties, relatives coming to visit – that finding time to plan a special meal for your loved ones can become a challenge," said Sara Bittorf, chief brand officer of Boston Market. "At Boston Market, we've created an entire menu of Christmas favorites to help you spend as much time as possible with your family while still feeling good about the meal you serve your guests."

The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the fast casual restaurant. Sales on Thanksgiving Day were up 500 percent compared to a usual Thursday, and Boston Market served more than 1.2 million guests on Thanksgiving Day alone, far exceeding all expectations.

A variety of holiday meal options are available, including:

• Oven to Table Holiday Meals: Whether customers prefer spiral sliced ham, turkey breast, or a little bit of both, Boston Market handles the main course, sides and all the fixings – including dessert. All hosts need is two hours to heat and serve.
• Hot & Ready Catered Buffets.
• A la Carte: The chain has all its sides and desserts a la carte.
• Christmas Day Meal: Select Boston Market restaurants will be open on Christmas Day and will offer an individual meal, including hand-carved ham served with two sides, cornbread and a slice of pie for $10.99.

Read more about catering.