Perk up beverage sales with iced coffee

As temperatures soar, consumers look for any way they can to cool down. Much of the time, that means sipping on a cold beverage. And for the many patrons looking for a pick-me-up, iced coffee is a go-to choice, as it wakes them up and cools them down.

It’s no surprise, then, that iced coffee is a growing opportunity for operators. In Technomic’s 2016 Beverage Consumer Trend Report, 59% of consumers say they ordered iced coffee at least once in the past month from foodservice locations. With demand continuing to grow, here’s how operators can get the most out of iced-coffee offerings.

Offer it all day

Iced coffee easily spans dayparts—operators can always count on morning coffee drinkers, but beyond that, many consumers will seek out iced coffee later in the day as well as sweet treat or afternoon pick-me-up.

This all-day business is good news for the bottom line, as guests expect to pay an average of $1.70 for an iced coffee drink, according to the Technomic report.

Sweeten the deal for DIYers

According to Technomic’s 2016 Snacking Occasion Consumer Trend Report, 61% of consumers purchase coffee drinks as a snack at least occasionally, and iced coffee’s popularity has grown 11% in the past year, thanks in part to its flavor customizability.

To make their drinks more indulgent, consumers can add flavored syrups. In Technomic’s 2016 Beverage Consumer Trend Report, 31% of consumers reported that when flavors are available at foodservice locations away from home, they ask for them. According to Technomic’s MenuMonitor, the top five flavors for coffee are vanilla, mocha, hazelnut, chocolate and caramel.

Keep it real

Consumers are increasingly interested in real, simple ingredients in their foods. According to Technomic’s 2016 Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, 49% say food and beverages described as real are tastier, and 31% say they’d be willing to pay more for such items. To take advantage of this, highlight the fact that coffee and other coffee products are made with real ingredients.

To appeal even more to trend seekers, offering trending items such as cold-brew coffee is another way to boost traffic. In fact, 19% of customers say they would like more restaurants to offer cold brew, with 27% of customers 18-34 saying they’d consider ordering if it was available. 

This content is sponsored by DanoneWave Away From Home’s International Delight® Iced Coffee and STOK® Cold Brew. Contact your DanoneWave Away From Home representative to learn how our Coffee Bar Experts™ can help you optimize your coffee program. Call 888.620.9910 or visit danonewaveawayfromhome.com