More quick-service and fast-casual chains are adding seafood to their menus this fall, a trend that will likely continue in the near future.
Dunkin’ Donuts, Atlanta Bread Co., Au Bon Pain and Quiznos are among the chains that have introduced seafood items to their menus recently. And Panera Bread Co. will soon offer salmon in both salads and sandwiches.
Earlier this month, Dunkin’ Donuts rolled out a USD 2.99 tuna salad sandwich at most of its New England and upstate New York stores to “help people get through the day”, Stan Frankenthaler, executive chef and director of culinary development for Dunkin’ Brands, told SeafoodSource.
“Tuna is a well-known comfort food, with a large and steadily growing popularity,” he said. “The tuna sandwich is a high-quality afternoon and evening option for our customers.”
The tuna salad sandwich is served with or without cheese on an oven-toasted bagel.
Atlanta Bread Co. recently added a Tuna Pesto Melt sandwich and a smoked salmon, egg and guacamole sandwich to its menu, while Au Bon Pain is now offering a Demi Tuna Sandwich on a Baguette and a smoked salmon sandwich. In October, Quiznos added a Big Kahuna Tuna sandwich to its menu.
Panera Bread Co. CEO Ron Shaich said in a recent conference call that the 1,272-restaurant chain will soon be using salmon in both salads and sandwiches.
The number of fast-casual restaurants offering seafood grew 11.7 percent in the first half of 2009, according to Chicago foodservice research and consulting firm Technomic.
Fast-casual chains’ seafood additions represent new markets for seafood vendors, said Darren Tristano, executive vice president of Technomic.
“Because of the recent limited-time offers, it could be something that we see added more frequently in the future,” he explained. “It may be the beginning of an opportunistic trend.”
Fast-casual chains may be adding seafood to their menus because the protein is considered a healthy choice that’s high in omega-3 fatty acids, according to Tristano.
At the same time, Tristano predicted that overall demand for seafood sandwiches will be lower than for other sandwiches, because the chains sell them at a higher price point and “[U.S.] consumers tend to be much more red meat eaters.”
