Dining Out for Sandwiches on the Rise

Consumers are embracing the sandwich, a $27.7 billion category, according to Technomic data.

May 07, 2013

NEW YORK – Data from Technomic reveals nearly half of sandwiches consumed last year were bought at restaurants instead of made at home, Advertising Age reports. Key destinations included Subway, Jimmy John’s, McAlister's Deli, Jersey Mike's and even McDonald's and Panera. 

Technomic estimated the value of the sandwich category at $27.7 billion annually, with sales up 4.8% since 2010, according to its Sandwich Consumer Trend Report. Nearly half — 49% — of sandwiches consumed in 2012 were purchased at restaurants or other foodservice locations, up from 44% in 2010.

Millennials are propelling the category’s growth.

"Subway was just another chain until it started marketing [its food] as healthy," said Joel Cohen, a restaurant-marketing consultant. Subway's U.S. systemwide sales were up 6.1% to $12.1 billion in 2012, according to Technomic, while unit count was up 3.3% to 25,549.

Customization is by far more important to consumers than any other factor when it comes to sandwiches, according to Technomic.

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