There is a growing opportunity for restaurants to provide guests with healthy menu items that can be eaten regularly. Since snacking has essentially created its own day part, and more people are also focusing on adapting more active and healthy lifestyles, it is beneficial for operators to provide the guest with healthy grab and go snacking options with good nutritional value. A market research firm called The Hartman Group showed in their 2013 “Modern Eating: Cultural Roots, Daily Behaviors” report that snacking represents half of all eating occasions.

Alex Blair, franchise owner of Chicago’s fast casual concept, “Freshii” notices there is an increased rush of guests mid morning and after lunch for healthy snacks and fresh juices and smoothies. As more people try to incorporate fresh juices and vegetables in their diet, Blair has noticed an increase in sales for fresh juices. “Post-gym, people come to us for our smoothies,” Blair says. “There’s a huge following for recovery foods, and lots of customers are big on small, healthy meals. Often, we see the same customer several times a day.” This has led Freshii to partner with big name gyms such as Equinox and place their stores in the gym.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 72 percent of consumers are more likely to visit a restaurant with healthy items on the menu. Being that the snacking day part continues to grow at the same rate that people are making healthier eating habits, it is a great time to add healthy fast food snacks as menu items. To read more about incorporating healthy grab and go items, click here