The lemonade and crepe products mirror the growing acceptance of nutraceutical foods. The waffle product plays into the increased demand for handheld foods for consumers on the run. The trend toward craft beers and microbrews is going strong, according to statistics from the National Restaurant Association. Sales of craft brews in 1995 grew 51 percent, and 287 new brewpub concepts were opened. Six out of 10 men and 5 out of 10 women say they order microbrews at restaurants.
Younger consumers are particularly loyal to the category.
Seventy percent of consumers under 34 say they purchase specialty brews, compared to only 40 percent of consumers over age 55. Now, however, Elvis foods are about to take on a more literal meaning. The King is getting his own restaurant. By comparison, only 11.6 percent of products introduced by companies outside the top 20 survive. The research indicates the continuing need by foodservice professionals to target their marketing efforts toward minorities.