Compass Group UK & Ireland, the UK’s largest food and support services firm, has launched its first bespoke chilled food-to-go range, ‘Chop Chop’, which includes sandwiches, salads, snack pots, paninis, toasties and fruit pots.
The range was developed by Compass’ in-house food development and nutrition team in partnership with, high profile Chefs, as well as supplier Adelie. Currently being launched across the business, Chop Chop will be available in hospitals, universities and retail outlets. The range includes around 150 items and will be delivered to over 700 UK sites, with expected sales growth of 10% year on year.
The range includes a selection of delicious sandwiches with classics like Egg and Cress and BLT sitting alongside more adventurous flavours like Chicken and Artichoke or Goat’s cheese and mixed pepper on Spianata bread. Several new suppliers have been enlisted to ensure the best quality of ingredients, such as the use of thicker bread and bacon that has reduced salt for an authentic smoky flavour.
Simon Parton, Head of Food & Beverage Innovation, Compass Group UK & Ireland, commented: “In creating Chop Chop we have applied all of our passion and expertise in food to our chilled food to go offer. We have been totally focused on finding the finest ingredients and innovative new breads to create some truly delicious food.”
Louise Pilkington, Marketing Director, Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “Our new food to go range is based on extensive research into the food to go market and consumer needs. As lunchbreaks continue to get shorter sandwiches are seen as a quick and healthy option, so it was important to us to create a high quality range which can make lunchtime something to look forward to.”
Nicky Martin, Head of Nutrition, Compass Group UK & Ireland, said: “By offering a selection of healthier options we’re providing our consumers with choice. All items in this range with a green logo on the packaging are under 350 calories and not high in fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt, plus we also have a healthy meal deal option which is 500 calories or less and includes fruit and water.”
The development of Chop Chop uses many insights from Compass’ ‘Eating Out of Home’ survey, which estimates that the grab and go market is now worth £20.1bn in the UK and has grown by 6% in the last 12 months alone. The research showed that the traditional lunch hour has shrunk to around 35 minutes, and that ‘Sandwiches are King’. The new brand brings a delicious range of food to go to Compass customers across the country.