Hive to Honey

three in four people think the economy has prompted the average consumer to eat out less often. Yet despite declining visits to restaurants, consumers indicate they are just as loyal (68%), or even more loyal (15%) to the restaurants they frequent.
“In hard times, many consumers crave familiarity and reliability. When choosing to dine out, it’s [...]

Aramark Higher Education has launched Topio’s, a pizza concept designed for college environments that menus old-world style pizza that can be customized with modern flavors and spices. The “old-world trappings” include fresh pressed dough for thin crusts, organic tomatoes and a traditional blend of mozzarella and asiago cheeses. Slices can be customized with a variety [...]

Despite clear signs that the economy is improving, U.S. consumers are still exercising caution with regard to small purchases, according to The Harris Poll of 2,576 adults surveyed online between Jan. 18 and Jan. 25 by New York-based Harris Interactive. For instance, the poll found that nearly two-thirds of U.S. adults (63 percent) said they [...]

General Mills is evoking childhood nostalgia by launching five of its best-selling cereals in retro boxes.
The cereals—which are part of General Mills’ “Big G” moniker—include Trix, Honey Nut Cheerios, Cheerios, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms. The limited edition versions will start appearing on shelves at Target stores this weekend as part of a monthlong [...]

Former super fan Noah Rubin says he has. The 28-year-old Seattle man used to wolf down bacon cheeseburgers three or four nights a week at Burger King, Jack in the Box and local bars. But he and his fiancée started cutting back last year after both were laid off, then found jobs at lower pay.
Now [...]

a lot more separates Colts and Saints fans than team preference in the Super Bowl: They also have differences in wealth, gender, automotive and smart-phone makes, restaurant choices and even soft drinks that might come as a surprise to marketers heading into advertising’s biggest show on earth.
Those are the findings from the ARSgroup’s BrandProfiler, a [...]

Interesting article on regional candy and teh candy business: Wall Street Journal

Shoppers are starting to open their wallets again for brand-name household basics, but it’s taking lower prices, heavy advertising and new products to tempt them.
Procter & Gamble Co. and Colgate-Palmolive Co. sold more of their premium-priced consumer goods at the end of 2009, suggesting that fewer shoppers are basing their purchases on price alone.
Those companies, [...]

U.S.-based store brands are benefiting big time from the current economic downturn. As consumers continue to turn to better prices and value, retailers have clearly stepped up their game by enhancing their brands’ overall product quality and by adding strong marketing muscle behind store-brand initiatives. But a Nielsen review of U.S. department-level price gaps between [...]

After more than 125 years in existence, the brand is spending more than $50 million on its first campaign to extend across all of its meaty products: bacon, hot dogs, premade sandwiches, bologna and sliced packaged meats.
The brand wanted to emphasize its name beyond just a few well-known products, said Sean Marks, director for marketing [...]