Alison Head of Projects
Good for business, and your profits
Gluten free… dairy free… wheat free… nut free… these are phrases we are hearing more and more, and food businesses are starting to take note that catering for people with special dietary requirements is good for their profits – and their reputation.
Dishes that cater for people with special dietary requirements are widely available now, what a difference to ten years ago when it was virtually unheard of to warn about nuts in dishes, or to offer gluten/wheat free alternatives. Advancements in nutrition and an awareness of foods that can affect us has seen the number of people with food allergies rise quite quickly here in the UK with over one million adults indicating allergies or intolerances to certain foods. Yet, so many fast food businesses are still losing out on profits – an estimated £1m a year – from the gluten free market alone, even though adopting a ‘special dietary requirements’ area for your fast food business is easier than you think. People with special dietary requirements are fed up with having to hunt around for food they can eat, they want to feel catered for – and included. Being aware of allergies and intolerances, catering for them, and putting the right procedures in place, will enhance your reputation as a forward thinking food business that cares about the different dietary requirements of its customers.
Sounds interesting, but not sure where and how to start? Talk to us. Here at Eat Marketing, we can help you put together a range of allergy friendly options for your menu, as well as discuss which allergens you could concentrate on that would fit in with your business and the foods that you offer. The long-term benefits will ensure that any initial investment you make is worthwhile and the changes do not have to be vast. Just three or four items on your menu can make all the difference, and allergy checklist sheets, a little staff training and letting people know about these exciting new additions complete the process. You may even want to go further and create a whole new gluten free menu, vegetarian specials or nut free specials, etc.
If you would like to know more about catering for different dietary requirements, contact us today for a no obligation chat, you’ll be surprised at just how easy it is to do – and what a difference it can make. We look forward to hearing from you.
