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A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

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Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#11

Post by 4ad »

throwaway66920 wrote: post #3
grawprog wrote: post #2

>When the proportion of meatless options doubled from one to two of four choices, overall sales remained about constant. But sales of meat-containing meals dropped, and sales of vegetarian meals, such as “wild mushroom, roasted butternut squash and sun blushed tomato risotto with parmesan”, rose 40–80%. So they cut the available meat options and doubled the available vegetarian options and find it surprising they sol…

I don’t think it’s as obvious as you imply. If a menu goes from 80% meat to 20% meat, I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that either the same proportion of customers still chose a meat option; or that fewer customers ordered anything to begin with

If a menu switches from 80% meat to 20% meat, I (as a meat eater) would find somewhere else to eat. On the other hand vegetarians might start to come to this place. This place might sell more vegetarian food, yet nobody will have to convert to vegetarianism.

Similarly, this is about cafeterias. Sometimes food runs out. Hell, the meat option always runs out on airplanes until food gets to me. If they reduce the meat even more, no wonder that more people will eat vegetarian dishes. There's no meat left.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#12

Post by grawprog »

mikepurvis wrote: post #10
grawprog wrote: post #2

>When the proportion of meatless options doubled from one to two of four choices, overall sales remained about constant. But sales of meat-containing meals dropped, and sales of vegetarian meals, such as “wild mushroom, roasted butternut squash and sun blushed tomato risotto with parmesan”, rose 40–80%. So they cut the available meat options and doubled the available vegetarian options and find it surprising they sol…

I often choose the vegetarian option when eating out simply because I know how to grill a steak or roast some chicken at home— I can make those meals just as well as they can, and for half the cost or less. When I see multiple vegetarian meal options, that's a signal that the chef isn't just doing a low effort protein swap-out but is actually offering something tasty and interesting, and I'm interested to try it.

Yeah, that's the difference I don't think they really looked at. if the quality of the vegetarian food is better than the meat offerings, that would definitely help drive sales.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#14

Post by danShumway »

There's never been a better (ie. easier) time to be a vegetarian.

I switched a little while ago, and was expecting restaurant meals to be a huge pain. In actuality I rarely have to worry about it, and even though I'm a picky eater most decent restaurants now have enough options that I can find something that I like.

On top of that, the increased diversity of vegetarian options that restaurants are offering has been really helpful in expanding my pallet in general. It's more likely when eating out that something I've never tried before catches my eye and I discover that I really like it when prepared a certain way. Eating out more (within reason) can be an effective way to get yourself to try new foods -- there are a lot of vegetables that I've gotten accustomed to that I used to heavily avoid.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#15

Post by _Microft »

_Microft wrote: post #8

The dish mentioned sounds far better than what is usually served as vegetarian food at canteens and restaurants. Quite often they offer just a compilation of side-dishes to have something vegetarian on their menu. (Dumblings with red cabbage and - wait for it - gravy from roasting meat is a widespread menu offer for vegetarians in southern Germany. Not sure if it counts as vegetarian option though). Once people notic…

Anecdote: a friend (vegetarian) studied abroad and had a scholarship that included housing and food at the canteen. Being a vegetarian made it pretty lacking in variety because the lunchs consisted of a bowl of rice or pasta, depending on which of these was the side-dish to meat that day. There was different fruit yoghurts for dessert at least ;)

(Edit: removed country to not blame anyone for their cuisine)

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#17

Post by traditionmatte »

The first vegetarian meal I've had where I didn't feel hungry afterwards was in an Indian vegetarian restaurant. It also tasted amazingly good.

Parts of India are vegetarian, so they have had plenty of time to refine the offering and see what works together.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#18

Post by throwaway66920 »

SketchySeaBeast wrote: post #9
throwaway66920 wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don’t think it’s as obvious as you imply. If a menu goes from 80% meat to 20% meat, I wouldn’t have been surprised to learn that either the same proportion of customers still chose a meat option; or that fewer customers ordered anything to begin with

I don't think that most people go "I want meat!", they just want something that sounds good, and that's what the results are reflecting. As eating meat is the default option, it's largely done without thought - you don't internalize "I eat meat", so it has no value if you do or don't in a particular meal.

Idk. I think most people read the menu and decide what sounds best, with meat options rated fairly high.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#19

Post by aloisdg »

elektor wrote: post #13

Speaking from personal experience, I've been eating a lot more plant-based meals now that Beyond and Impossible Beef are available in grocery stores. I wouldn't say I'm completely vegetarian but I'm 60% there.

You can describe this as a semi-vegetarianism or flexitarian diet.

Re: A rise in vegetarian options leads customers to embrace meat-free meals

#20

Post by A4ET8a8uTh0 »

I always found vegan movement oddly close to religion. At my work, guy drives a car that has a custom VEGAN plate. I am not sure why I should know his dietary restrictions. I don't like liver. Do I add bumper indicating my dislike for liver consumption? Can someone rationalize it for me? Is it like sub-culture?
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