Menu Trend to Watch: Bowl Meals
By Aimee Harvey on Nov. 01, 2017CHICAGO -- Over the past year, and particularly within the last two quarters of 2017, bowl meals have jumped in menu incidence across channels. According to Technomic's MenuMonitor research tool, powered by Ignite, bowl-meal entrees are up more than 3% since Q2 2017 at convenience stores, while quick-service restaurant chains have boosted the number of bowl meals by 4% during the same time frame.
What's behind the increase in this type of entree on menus? First, the macrotrend around globally inspired flavors is guiding consumers toward food presentations that recall ethnic and exotic preparations. But what is perhaps more relevant is the bowl meal's portability, making it a desirable choice for a grab-and-go meal for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
With some help from our sister publication, Restaurant Business, here's a look at some of the past month's bowl-meal rollouts at restaurant chains. And click through for new bowls that have recently debuted at c-stores ...
7-Eleven
The world's largest c-store chain, 7-Eleven, recently launched a new heat-and-serve platform at select locations, featuring 15 new grab-and-go meals. The range includes a number of new bowls, including Asian-style Beef & Broccoli, Chipotle Chicken, Chipotle Steak & Egg, Mile High Breakfast and Early Riser Scrambler bowls.
El Pollo Loco
El Pollo Loco has added four new handcrafted bowls to its menu for a limited time. The four bowls are:
- Chicken & Street Corn Bowl (chicken, avocado, corn, cotija, citrus chili seasoning, beans, rice, creamy cilantro, cilantro).
- Mango Shrimp Bowl (shrimp, avocado, mango salsa, black beans, rice, cotija, cilantro).
- Double Garlic Chicken Bowl (chicken, garlic butter, cabbage, beans, rice, pico).
- Chicken Guacamole Jalapeno Bowl (chicken, guacamole, sour cream, pickled jalapenos, cheese, beans, rice, pico).
“As we thought about all of the delicious and unique choices offered in Los Angeles, we were inspired to create colorful handcrafted bowls that emulate the flavors of our hometown,” said Heather Gardea, vice president of research and development at El Pollo Loco, in a statement. “While bowls are a great way to eat a meal on the go, we find it important not to sacrifice flavor for convenience. We’re excited for fans to try our delicious new handcrafted bowls, created with a variety of authentic flavors inspired by our Los Angeles heritage and combined for a tasty and fulfilling meal.”
GetGo
Pittsburgh-based c-store chain GetGo debuted a line of new Asian Bowls, now available in its Great to Go case. Varieties include Chicken & Vegetable Fried Rice and Spicy Red Thai Chicken Curry.
Krystal
QSR burger chain Krystal has brought back its Loaded Hash Brown Scrambler Breakfast Bowl for a limited time.
Available on the chain’s breakfast menu starting this week, the dish includes two freshly scrambled eggs, cheese, sausage and Krystal’s signature savory crispy Kryspers.
“Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” said Alice Crowder, vice president of marketing for The Krystal Co., in a statement. “The Loaded Hash Brown Scrambler Breakfast Bowl is always one of our most popular, limited-time-only breakfast menu items. Our customers appreciate an affordable, filling, savory and portable breakfast, and this bowl has a little bit of everything in it to fuel your day and start it off right. We love to feed you a breakfast that will warm you up from the inside out.”
Nice N Easy
Nice N Easy Grocery Shoppes brought back its signature Steakhouse Mashed Potato Bowl, featuring buttery mashed potatoes topped with the customer's choice of either steak or chicken. The bowls are priced at $4.29.
Tin Drum
Fast-casual Tin Drum Asian Kitchen has added a new seasonal rice bowl to its menu. The Confetti Rice Bowl will be available through Dec. 3. The menu item includes white rice mixed with fresh purple cabbage, carrots, red pepper, green onion, basil and sauteed chicken and is topped with a sweet and savory peanut sauce sprinkled with cashews.
“We’ve taken our crowd-favorite rice bowl and kicked it up a notch by adding a different blend of ingredients that diversifies our already eclectic menu,” said Steven Chan, founder of Tin Drum Asian Kitchen, in a statement. “The Confetti Rice Bowl embraces the flavors of Asia and beyond with its peanut sauce and cashew garnish, adding a flavorful crunch to the delectable dish. This bowl is perfect for the health nuts who are looking to expand their palate.”