It isn’t one of the more glamorous segments of the U.S. foodservice industry, but family-style dining is providing an new opportunity for seafood, as more family-style chains look to healthier menu offerings.
Family-dining patronage is relatively high, with 73 percent of consumers saying that they visit a family-style restaurants at least once a month and 38 percent saying they do so at least once a week, according to report released on Monday by Chicago-based foodservice industry consultant Technomic.
And the segment is showing resilience through the economic downturn — more than two-thirds of consumers (68 percent) say they would be highly likely to visit a family-style restaurant when they want an affordable sit-down meal.
Earlier this month, Cracker Barrel, which operates nearly 600 family-style restaurants in 41 states, added Spicy Grilled Catfish n’ Country Fried Shrimp to its menu as part of its three-item Campfire Grill summer menu, available through 15 August. The U.S.-farmed catfish fillet is dusted with a spicy seasoning, grilled, served over a bed of seasoned rice and topped with buttermilk-fried shrimp. It comes with a tartar sauce, a choice of two vegetables and buttermilk biscuits or corn muffins for USD 8.49.
What’s more, more than half of consumers (52 percent) polled by Technomic say the availability of healthy food items at family-style restaurants is very important. Family-style chains are apparently reading the writing on the wall, as more are introducing fish to the menu to appeal to health-conscious diners.
Earlier this year, Bob Evans, which operates about 570 locations in 18 states, rolled out its new Fit from the Farm menu featuring a Grilled Salmon Fillet, an 8-ounce portion of Atlantic salmon served with either BBQ sauce or garlic-herb butter, a baked potato and vegetables.
Last year, the category’s largest player in terms of number of units, Denny’s, which operates more than 1,500 locations nationwide, added Tilapia Ranchero as one of its three new skillet dinners. Priced at USD 8.99, the tilapia fillet is grilled, topped with pico de gallo and diced avocado and served with mashed potatoes and bread.
In fact, the family-style segment’s top five players — IHOP, Denny’s, Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans and Waffle House — watched their sales increase 8.3 percent to USD 2.44 billion in 2008, outpacing the varied-menu, steak, Mexican and seafood categories.
Many of the up-and-coming family-style chains, including Black Bear Diner, Ram’s Horn Restaurants, Olga’s Kitchen and Winger’s Grill & Bar, also menu seafood. Those four chains saw their sales jump 12.5 percent to USD 72 million in 2008.
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