Ready to eat is here to stay

Consumers have long been finding their way to supermarkets and specialty shops for a hot pizza baguette, a tasty sausage roll and other snacks. But more and more players in food retail are starting to offer full-fledged, nutritious, ready-to-eat meals.

Today, ready-to-eat is still largely dominated by snacks. But why not look beyond the typical sausage roll? Think roast meatballs, fresh pizzas and steaming stews, for instance. The perfect way to keep these dishes at the right temperature and present them attractively at the same time is a warming cabinet.

D’Heldt is an official distributor of Fri-Jado warming cabinets in various versions. Discover all about ready-to-eat below and how you can capitalise on this trend to serve more customers and increase your turnover.

How ready-to-eat is becoming increasingly popular

Consumers have less and less time and inspiration to get behind the cooker every evening. Moreover, people living alone are increasingly the norm in Belgium. They are less inclined to spend hours in the kitchen to prepare a meal for one. Supermarkets and specialist shops are therefore providing more space to offer ready-made meals. The return to offices after the coronal shockdowns has further accelerated that evolution.

Graph showing the evolution of the percentage proportions of household types in Belgium over the past 30 years

The evolution of the percentage distribution of Belgian household types over the past 30 years, based on figures from Statbel.

According to US-based McKinsey & Company, which advises companies strategically, the share of ‘food to go’ will continue to grow by 8% annually until 2029, compared to only 3% for the rest of the food market. With that, the agency counted ‘ready to eat’ as one of the four most important trend for 2024. One that food retail does need to adapt to in order to keep up.

Appealing presentation of ready-made meals

People eat with many more senses than just their taste buds. Your sense of smell leads you inexorably to deliciously smelling delicacies and your eyes immediately spot your favourite dish. You convince customers not only with the taste, but also with the presentation of your dishes. And that is where a warming cabinet plays a crucial role.

D’Heldt is an official distributor of the warming cabinets of the Dutch brand Fri-Jado. It offers a wide range with countless options. Think, for example, of three different widths, a number of levels from 2 to 5, and various options for rear wall, placement and operation.

So you can always be sure that there is a warming cabinet that fits your business perfectly. If you run a gas station, you may be better served with a smaller model. A floor model is ideal for retailers. A served warming cabinet fits perfectly with the concept and look of a specialty store, while in a supermarket, self-service warming cabinets work more conveniently. And will you go for a freestanding counter or a built-in model? Choose a warming cabinet that fits your needs and the needs of your customers.

Fri Jado warming cabinet for ready to eat

5 tips to capitalize on ready to eat

Ready to capitalize 100% on the ever-growing trend of ready-to-eat? With these 5 tips, you’ll see your ready-to-eat meals fly over the counter in no time.

  1. A variety of offerings: provide a mix of popular items such as grilled chicken, pizzas and sandwiches. Also consider healthy options, such as vegetable dishes and whole-grain wraps. That way you appeal to different audiences.
  2. Timing is everything: strategically replenish the warming cabinets at peak times, such as lunch or evening rush hour, when customers take a quick meal after work.
  3. Quality over quantity: always keep your preparations fresh and appealing. This is less obvious in a fully loaded warming cabinet.
  4. Ready to eat in the spotlight: make your offerings and prices clearly visible. Emphasize the freshness and convenience of your products. The ideal way to promote impulse purchases.
  5. Keep up with the time of year: offer seasonal dishes, such as winter stews or summer pizzas. And follow food trends, such as vegan or vegetarian meals.

With everything only having to go faster, consumers are increasingly demanding ready-to-eat preparations. The days when you only found sausage rolls and paninis in warming cabinets are long gone. As a retailer, choose a D’Heldt warming cabinet and respond to this increasingly popular trend with a divers and fresh range of ready-to-eat meals.

Buy your warming cabinet at D’Heldt

Are you looking for a high-quality warming cabinet? Then you’ve come to the right place at D’Heldt. Here you will find a wide range of professional food machines. Each one meets the highest standards of quality and durability. Whether you run a bakery, restaurant, or industrial kitchen, we have the perfect solution for you.

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