Eagle Boys, Burger Edge, Wendy's and other QSRs discuss consumer trends
Quality food and service is still the number one priority for many QSR's like Sunshine Kebabs, Nandos, Burger Edge, Wendy's and Pie Face. Customers demand their money’s worth, making it a point that they get only the best value.
“…consumers are much more discerning with their disposable income”, said Rob McKay, Wendy’s CEO. According to him, retailers have to work very hard in order to earn a consumer’s discretionary spend.
For Eagle Boys Pizza, they satisfy their customer’s cravings by always looking for ways to improve the menus their customers are more familiar with and have grown to love.
Christine Hooper, Group Executive Marketing of Eagle Boys said, “while we’ve seen an up-trend in consumer’s preference for quality foods, pizza lovers are still reverting back to their much-loved basics – especially around seasonal occasions like football finals, State of Origin, the Melbourne Cup and the summer Christmas Holidays”.
“…Eagle Boys is continually looking to offer a real size, real taste and real value menu and maximize its middle ground offerings to satisfy the taste buds of a broad range of Australian consumers”.
Burger Edge also believes in banking on the customers’ need for familiarity of the product, and at the same time, the customers’ need for quality food. According to Issam Soubjaki, Franchisor of Burger Edge, “consumers are now more food savvy and will expect new and bigger things from trusted brands. They want fresh, fast, tasty and value for money”.
While Mad Mex, MYO and Nandos assure to offer their consumers the best quality of product, they also consider the affordability of the food they sell.
Mad Mex Founder, Clovis Young, said, “our food is restaurant quality and we’re finding that customers are switching between expensive restaurants in favour of cool fast -casual dining options like Mad Mex”.
“The combination of more food retailers entering the market in the major metro capitals, and a tight consumer market, is forcing more value into the space. Customers are really able to demand more for less and this is largely being borne out with very competitive meal deals and ‘food and drink’ combos”, MYO’s MD, John Smith, said.
Kim Russell, Marketing Manager of Nandos added, “post GFC consumers are still value conscious and are driving brands to communicate their attributes in this regard. We have experienced an increased amount of customers who have 'traded-down,' from a fine dining to a fast -casual dining experience because its better value, yet still a substantial, healthy and high-quality meal in a pleasant, ambient, environment”.
As consumers look for a healthier meal, Sunshine Kebabs believes that consumers are also leaning in to a healthier environment and society. “Conscience brands are accommodating for these trends. Of course this comes with its own set of pressures on costs etc. But healthy, green and eco friendly is the direction we seem to be moving in,” said Murat Coskun, GM, Sunshine Kebabs.
Pie Face offers nothing but the best to their happy-faced customers. “Our core business is as strong as ever with customers wanting good food, good service and good coffee”, said Wayne Homscheck, Founder of Pie Face. But aside from the food, quality service is also a major factor. The internet has been a helpful medium for these restaurants and it’s definitely a growing trend for the food business today.
Eagle Boys Pizza made ordering for their customers a breeze by giving them the convenience to place their orders online. Burger Edge, on the other hand, are packaging their food promotions and marketing online.
For Nandos, it’s establishing ones online presence. They want to be where they believe their consumers are “staying” now—the internet world—and maintain an interaction with them. Kim Russell said, “to me it’s about monitoring, being part of the conversation and with Nando's being a cheeky, irreverent Brand for us, it’s also about starting conversations. Having a strong and relevant social media presence is an increasingly important component of the marketing mix”.
Despite the fast-paced lifestyle consumers have these days, they are still opting to get a healthier meal from a quality service. Marketing also takes a new turn as QSRs take advantage of the internet to reach their customers.
