Eco-Friendly Tips
Trends in Eco-Friendly Packaging
To understand the future trends of eco-friendly food packaging, look at how dynamic the last decade has been with constantly evolving technology. Superior Equipment was the first broad line distributor to spotlight and create a special section for eco-friendly food merchandising products. In 2008, we embraced the recycling and conservation movement that was reaching a national tipping point. Today, that collection accounts for one-fifth of our total packaging assortment.
The future trends of packaging will be greatly shaped by how millennials shop. According to Packaging Digest, 79 million millennials, or 25 percent of the U.S. population, have surpassed the Baby Boomers to become the largest generation in U.S. history. Since they tend to buy products that reflect their values and provide a personal connection, it is safe to say that eco-friendly packaging will continue to grow and be important. But affordability will also play a major role as well. Here are some current trends and others we predict for the future of eco-friendly food packaging, as well as some of the products we offer for food service operators.
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Catering Insights
There are many occasions when home-cooked meals just don't cut it and dining out at a restaurant just isn't feasible. Weddings, parties, meetings, conferences, luncheons and holiday gatherings are just some examples of get-togethers that require more than what you can whip up in your kitchen but wouldn't work in a restaurant setting. On these occasions, restaurant catering is a great option. Customers get the high-quality food they expect while being able to control their environment.
If your restaurant doesn't have a catering operation set up, you could be missing out on some lucrative business and customers to competitors. If you're interested in getting started in the catering business by revamping your food service equipment, here are some tips to help you out.
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C-Store Trends
How to Reach the Millennial Grocery Shopper
The millennial generation has long since reached adulthood, and if you’re looking to attract this group to your grocery store, it’s time to revise your food merchandising techniques both inside and outside the store.
Technology has made strides toward convenience and accessibility, and the millennial generation was one of the first to take full advantage of this. According to Vision Critical, a company that provides research consulting services, roughly 60 percent of millennial shoppers buy products via their mobile devices. Additionally, a staggering 80 percent will make impulse purchases.
Use social media:
Attracting millennial shoppers means making your presence known. Social media has become increasingly important, particularly among younger generations, so start there. Create pages for your store and speak to staff members within the millennial age range about what would make the venue interesting to their generation.
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Culinary Essentials: Serve Success - Food Trends
Customer Experience: Tips for Food Truck Operators:
We love food trucks at Superior. As some of the fastest moving people in the food service industry, the food truck owners and operators we’ve met are gifted at creating unique and flavorful menus. They’re also adept at marketing and managing their hectic schedules.
A fast-paced environment can make it tough to take time away from business to focus on business. Getting outside the kitchen, the food truck or the dining room to plan and move the business forward is important. At our Chefs Marketplace training, food service operators to do just that. They understand their customer expects not just to eat, but to have an experience. This is true whether the customer is walking into a brand-new dining facility or stepping up to a food truck window.
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Inside Foodservice
EU Passes Single-Use Disposables Ban
About a year ago, we told you about the European Union’s plan to address the issue of single-use plastics. On April 15, 2019, the EU passed a measure supporting a sweeping single-use disposable ban to go into effect beginning in 2021.
“Plastics poison our seas,” said Belgian legislator FrédériqueRies. “If we do not take action, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans.”
This legislation is notable for a number of reasons. First, it is the largest disposables ban ever. The EU has 28 member countries and the proposal has broad support throughout the region. But perhaps even more impressive is the speed with which this legislation was approved. The initial proposal from the European Commission first proposed the restrictions in May of 2018. And now, less than a year later, the legislation has cleared all hurdles to be approved by the larger governing body.
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Cash or Credit: The Pro's & Cons of Going Cashless
Is going cashless discrimination? Is it ok to charge a fee for using a credit card?
The Benefits of a Cashless Restaurant Business:
You don’t have to dig too deeply to find a whole host of reasons that a restaurant might not want to accept cash. Cash is a pain for restaurants in many ways.
Cash Must Be Deposited:
Unlike credit card transactions, cash collected in your restaurant must be deposited in your bank account. That means a trip to the bank, ATM or dropbox. Every day. Sometimes more than once a day.
Cash Must Be Kept on Hand:
If you accept cash, you are going to have to make change. So, you need to keep a variety of bill denominations and change on the premises at all times. What would you do if you couldn’t make change for a customer?
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