Automatic_Merchandiser_October-November_2020 - 16

Kodiak Cakes' novel Flapjack Cups
serve up a hot, fluffy, whole grain
pancake in a cup, with 10g to 12g of
protein, in flavors like Chocolate Peanut Butter and Blueberry and Maple.
Kodiak Cakes' Muffin Cups stir
up a wholesome whole-grain muffin
in a cup, with 6g of protein per cup
and varieties including Blueberry and
Double Dutch Chocolate.
Rounding out the cups are Kodiak
Cakes' whole grain Oatmeal Cups that
come in several indulgent flavors, with
14g protein per cup, including Caramel, Strawberry Dark Chocolate and
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
Also breakfast-friendly are Kodiak
Cakes' Crunchy Granola Bars in
1.59-oz., two-bar packages with 10g
of protein per serving and Bear Bites
Mini Graham Crackers made with
100% whole grains and 5g of protein
per serving.
TAKE IT UPSCALE

John Dourson, national sales manager
for alternative channels at Sara Lee
Frozen Bakery, said
that while the company's classic pastries
and muffins have a
loyal following as both
a breakfast and all-day
snack, he has also
seen a pronounced
trend toward more
upscale, gourmet
varieties, especially
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery's Chef Pierre
muffins are individually wrapped.
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery

"Today's younger consumers are less traditional and will
eat what they want, when they want it - there's no more
'you can't wear white after Labor Day' mentality."
John Dourson, national sales manager, Sara Lee Frozen Bakery

as millennials and Gen Z make their
mark in the workforce.
"Blueberry and banana nut muffins will always have their place as
traditional favorites, but there's more
interest among millennials and Gen Z
for more gourmet varieties like pumpkin spice and sweet-and-savory profiles
like salted caramel and cheese-filled
streusel muffins," Dourson observed.
"In micro markets where they pay with
their thumbprint or a swipe of their
card, and in vending which is increasingly cashless, the operator gets their
price point and the consumer gets the
flavors and upscale profile they seek."
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery recently
upgraded its packaging to convey
more upscale appeal. The trend is also
evident in foodservice and vending
commissaries to which Sara Lee Frozen Bakery sells its bulk croissants.
"Croissants are growing in popularity as convenience stores and vending operators who make their own
sandwiches have choices like egg with
smoked Gouda, gaining in popularity
as an upscaling over the typical sausage and egg convenience sandwich,"
Dourson added.
To appeal to more health-minded
consumers, including K-12 schools
and healthcare clientele, Sara Lee
Frozen Bakery introduced 51% whole
grain muffins earlier this year. They're
available in 2-oz. Double Chocolate,
Apple Cinnamon, Corn, Blueberry,
and Banana and 4-oz. Blueberry,
Banana and Double Chocolate.
Dourson added that health and
safety concerns surrounding the

Automatic Merchandiser * October/November 2020

COVID-19 pandemic are fueling
skyrocketing demand for Sara Lee's
individually wrapped pastries. A new
addition to Sara Lee Frozen Bakery's
lineup of Danish pastries, cakes and
pies is its 3.25-oz.-3.48-oz. New York
style mini cheesecakes in classic, strawberry and salted caramel varieties.
"Today's younger consumers are
less traditional and will eat what they
want, when they want it - there's no
more 'you can't wear white after Labor
Day' mentality," Dourson remarked.
"People embrace breakfast all day.
McDonald's really expanded the
category beyond the traditional daypart. If they go into a c-store, micro
market, vending machine, if it appeals
to them, they will buy it regardless of
the time of day."
COMFORT CLASSICS

Bethany Runyan, Tyson Foods' senior
manager of channel and customer
development, attributed shifting
breakfast patterns to consumers'
mornings being increasingly more
compressed for time versus other dayparts; the continued growth of snacking; and the changing work landscape,
with more people working from home.
To boost breakfast food traction, she
advised operators to offer comfort
food classics as part of the mix.
"In the current climate, due to
budgets and/or elevated stress levels,
many consumers return to simple and
craveable favorites," she stated.
Consumers are looking for
options that will help them stay fueled
throughout the day, Runyan added,

Automatic_Merchandiser_October-November_2020

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