Most UK diners would eat out to mark Thanksgiving if a pub, bar or restaurant presented the opportunity to do so, according to research by Moy Park Foodservice.
Its poll of 300 people revealed that 60% would dine out to celebrate the event which this year falls on November 24, boosted by the popularity of American cuisine and US-themed casual dining in the UK.
Moy Park’s research also found that 51% of respondents would like to see more pubs, bars and restaurants actively putting on Thanksgiving celebrations.
Frannie Santos-Mawdsley, senior customer marketing manager for European foodservice at Moy Park, said: “Diversification is key if pubs and restaurants are to keep profits ticking over, and incremental occasions like Thanksgiving are a great way to entice people through the doors.
“You need only look at how something like Halloween has come into prominence as a key calendar event – Thanksgiving may currently be the preserve of our friends across the Pond, but with the popularity of American dining soaring and a growing consumer curiosity, now is the time to take advantage.”
Moy Park’s new chef-inspired casual dining range of chicken products allows operators to quickly and simply take advantage of US Thanksgiving dining, from Buttermilk Wings (pictured) and Smoky BBQ Chicken Drum Shanks to a Southern Spiced Chicken Thigh Burger and Nacho Cheese Steaks.
Frannie added: “Turkey may be a Thanksgiving staple but delve deeper and it’s all celebration and doing different with your dishes. Sides and sharers also play a large part in proceedings, giving sites licence to play with menus. Moy Park has the product range to help pubs and restaurants to seize the opportunity and profit in the process. Truly a reason to give thanks.”
