CHICAGO — Technomic, a research and consulting firm here, has found that restaurant sales of soup and salad are climbing as consumers are increasingly making healthful choices and choosing lighter fare.
Whether it’s a cup or bowl, side or entrée, 62% of consumers now order soup at least occasionally during restaurant visits, up from 43% just two years ago, a Technomic reports shows. Salads have also increased, with 76% of consumers now occasionally purchasing salad away from home compared to 66% earlier.
“Healthy options and portion variety are driving factors in today’s soup and salad menu positioning,” Technomic Director of Consumer Research Sara Monnette said in a news release. “Operators are revamping their menus in response to consumer demand for soup and salad as a stand-alone entrée, side substitution, an appetizer, or a component of a combo meal. There are many menu variations in which soups/salads are now offered.”