Is breakfast no longer a priority?

The importance of the breakfast occasion is shrinking. In 2018, half of consumers agreed breakfast is more important than lunch or dinner, compared to 55% in 2014. Breakfast is no longer a priority for some Americans as they are strapped for time and sometimes skip breakfast altogether.

Eating habits also continue to evolve as mealtimes shift to snack times. Nearly three-quarters of consumers say they snack in the morning, highlighting the need for light and portable foods that can be eaten at the start of the day according to Mintel research on restaurant breakfast and brunch trends. Diners are also interested in eating non-breakfast foods at breakfast and breakfast foods throughout their day, opening opportunity for retailers and restaurant operators alike to appeal to these diverse occasions.

What consumers want

Convenience, indulgence, and health

Nearly six in 10 Americans have dined out for breakfast or brunch in the last three months, opting for the convenience and affordability of fast food and coffee shops during the week, and the social and indulgent experience of full service restaurants on the weekend.

In addition to convenience, diners are looking for healthy breakfast foods that are high in protein, contain fruit and are low in sugar. Dishes featuring high protein and fresh ingredients align with diners’ preference for filling, flavorful and fresh breakfast items.

Variety and portability

Menu variety and quality ingredients are vital to appeal to diners who find breakfast combos and premium or housemade ingredients most appealing on breakfast and brunch menus. In addition, offering seasonal, local and unique ingredients are all ways operators can differentiate themselves from competitors.

Restaurants are the top source of food eaten in transit for breakfast, and a quarter of breakfast eaters want to see more grab-and-go options. Portable options such as customizable breakfast sandwiches, donut sticks and protein-rich smoothies enable diners to fuel up while on the go.

What’s next?

Global influence

Only four in 10 breakfast eaters prefer traditional breakfast foods over trendy options, highlighting the endless opportunities for flavor and format innovation. Diners are increasingly exposed to international cuisines, whether at foodservice or retail, and we are seeing strong growth in these offerings on breakfast and brunch menus. Fusion, Middle Eastern and South American breakfast and brunch dishes grew on US menus from Q4 2015-2018, according to Mintel Menu Insights. Operators are adding an international twist to traditional dishes such as eggs Benedict made with a Colombian arepa, or French toast made with Japanese milk bread.

Indulgent brunches

Diners view brunch as an occasion to socialize with friends or family, treat themselves or to simply relax. As a result, operators are responding with over-the-top indulgent dishes like birthday cake waffles or deep fried French toast, as well as large format boozy brunch punches.

Tasty plant-based options

As interest in plant-based foods continues to grow, operators are proving these alternatives don’t have to feel like a trade-off. Veggie Grill’s All-day Breakfast Burrito features JUST’s scrambled egg made from mung beans, while retail brand Urban Remedy offers a Benedict Brunch Bowl with vegan hollandaise sauce and eggplant “bacon.”

Unique coffees

Two in five diners want to see more flavored coffees, and one-fourth want to see more cold brew coffee options on menus. Additionally, one in seven consumers visits a breakfast restaurant based on the quality of the restaurant’s coffee, highlighting an opportunity for restaurants to set themselves apart. Alfred Coffee in Los Angeles, CA features a Chagaccino with nitro cold brew, almond and cashew milk, and chaga mushrooms, while Never Coffee Lab in Portland, OR offers an Oregon Latte with cascade hops, dulce de leche, and sea salt.

What we think

Promoting the importance of breakfast and focusing on snackable breakfast items will be important to help traditional and innovative breakfast items succeed. Knowing that consumers’ needs differ based on day of the week means operators and manufacturers must balance health with indulgence, and convenience with leisure. Finally, it will remain important to promote breakfast foods beyond the morning hours. Consider offering a varied menu with both traditional and non-traditional items to fit diners’ varying needs throughout the day.