Technomic’s 2018 Bakery & Coffee Cafe Consumer Trend Report finds that the bakery-café segment, in addition to the coffee café segment, is benefitting from current health and convenience trends.

The industry analyst’s report compiled findings from more than 1,000 consumer responses, as well as industry data, to give a comprehensive look at how foodservice operators and suppliers can identify key areas of opportunity.

According to the report, health trends are pushing consumers toward better-for-you items at the center of bakery-café menus, such as soups and salads. However, these trends are also pushing consumers away from sugary treats and drinks, which is something bakery-cafés will need to adapt to with alternative items.

“Despite some recent headwinds caused by increased competition and shifting consumer demands, bakery- and coffee cafes are still well-positioned for growth,” says Charles Winship, senior research analyst at Technomic. “However, cafes must be willing to evolve with a growing emphasis on functional offerings, new technology that enhances convenience, and operational flexibility to satisfy consumers’ various need states.”

Some of the report’s key findings reveal that 25 percent of consumers visit bakery-cafés at least once a week, 54 percent of bakery-café consumers visit these locations more so for their food or a specific food product, and 25 percent visit these locations more so for their beverages or a particular beverage.