Burger Consumption Rises, Shifts Toward Premium Varieties

Americans are eating more burgers and better burgers, according to a new report from food industry consulting firm Technomic. Half of Americans now eat burgers at least once a week--up from 38% in 2009. And many are squeezing more burgers even into non-meal times: 20% say they regularly eat a burger as a mid-afternoon snack, and 10% say they sometimes nosh on a late-nite burger.

The report also indicated that consumers are increasingly interested in new varieties of burger. It recommended that burger vendors try swapping out "standard ground beef" for Angus beef, turkey and vegetables to meet consumer demand for those sectors. Technomic also noted that Americans are becoming more open to "exotic" toppings and flavors: guacamole, chipotle, pineapple, herbs.

One factor that may be driving both these trends is consumers' willingness to pay more for their burgers. The surveyed burger-eaters put taste and convenience before price when they ranked the influential factors in their choice of burger. This bodes well for made-to-order burger chains like Shake Shack and Five Guys. Indeed, the survey noted that these sorts of restaurants are quickly gaining market share previously held by McDonald's, Burger King and Wendy's.

The most surprising takeaway, though, may have been the overwhelming prevalence of burger consumption. Ninety-nine percent of consumers surveyed said they occasionally eat some kind of burger.

Comments

[WaveRhydr]

03:28 PM on 07/11/2011

You guys should really check this out

Yummy! Am monia-Treated Pink Sli me Now in Most U.S. Ground Beef
http://www.alternet.org/environment/144904/yummy!_ammonia-treated_pink_slime_now_in_most_u.s._ground_beef/

[shanghaislim]

04:28 PM on 07/11/2011

I trim my own beef and add Prime Rib Eye Fat and grind daily for freshness.

Nothing beats a burger done right.

Anything done wrong, well..........

[WaveRhydr]

03:23 PM on 07/11/2011

If some of you are clueless as to why others of us are going to "better burger" places, you really need to check out this article:

Yummy! Ammonia-Treated Pink Slime Now in Most U.S. Ground Beef

http://www.alternet.org/environment/144904/yummy!_ammonia-treated_pink_slime_now_in_most_u.s._ground_beef/

[susankhbelen]

11:47 PM on 07/08/2011

Best dang burger is a New Mexico Chile Cheese burger.
Wanna know how to make it ? Go to my food blog....http://hubpages.com/profile/NMLady
All NM All Good!!

[NavyGuyGray]

05:55 AM on 07/09/2011

Just saw it the other day on TV

[susankhbelen]

10:30 AM on 07/09/2011

It is soooo popular here that even McDonald's has one on their menu. Be sure to get NM Hatch Chile....in the little cans in the Mexican aisle. It may be a bit more but the taste is so much better than the imported from China and canned here ones!

[ProudMilVet]

09:32 PM on 07/08/2011

This is why Americans are such Fat Bas*ards. Go with Veggie Burgers !

[Styxtap]

03:27 PM on 07/08/2011

Yea I noticed this. "Five Guys" are popping up everywhere, and other trendy pseudo-classy burger joints like "SmashBurger" Its funny that people are finally catching on that burgers are not a good idea, ever. But instead of giving them up, lets fall for some bogus advertising for a "new" burger. These burgers are not much better for you than McDonalds or Wendys. Sorry.

[susankhbelen]

11:48 PM on 07/08/2011

I was very impressed with Five Guys when I went there. The burger was good, the fries were 'da bomb and all those wonderful sodas!

[WaveRhydr]

03:29 PM on 07/11/2011

Hey, its REAL meat, NO fillers, and the fries are cut fresh, etc. Its a class act, in my book, and well worth the extra

[WaveRhydr]

03:18 PM on 07/11/2011

5 guys is a class act. There are absolutely reasons to eat there. Like REAL meat (go ogle red slime, which can be added to meat up to 15% w/no disclosure), and frech cut fries.

[LadyGiGi 25]

02:23 PM on 07/08/2011

See, this is why I'm seriously considering becoming a pescetarian. I haven't gone to a McDonald's in over six months. The last time I had a Big Mac, I nearly threw up. I'm definitely making healthier choice when it comes to what foods to put in my body.

[Styxtap]

03:30 PM on 07/08/2011

I recommend eating a good piece of meat maybe twice a week. Maybe a Bison Burger or a quality steak. I have read many times that very rarely eating meat is the healthiest way, even better for you than vegetarianism.

Eat fish daily though! :D

[Philip Schneider]

08:49 PM on 07/08/2011

You know that your insides are healthier when you try to eat bad foods you once enjoyed and you can barely stomach it. I stopped drinking soda for a few years and when I had one again I felt horrible.

[jsarets]

03:24 AM on 07/08/2011

In my view, burgers larger than 4oz aren't worth eating beyond an internal temperature of 145F (I prefer 140F), and any establishment fine enough to trust cooking a burger below 155F has finer things on their menu that I can't replicate at home as well as I can a proper burger.

If I want a thick burger cooked to my preferred doneness from quality meat prepared in sanitary conditions, I'll do it at home, thank you very much. Otherwise a thin fast-food patty cooked to 155F will do in a pinch. There is no middle ground in my book. I don't trust a fast-casual joint (e.g. Fridays) to do an 8oz burger correctly, and I'm not ordering a burger at a reputable steakhouse.

[shanghaislim]

04:36 PM on 07/11/2011

My restaurant has won many awards for it's burger.

My customers are from all over the world. The French eat'em Rare and Blue. Many Americans in the know, order Medium Rare. The Brits...Well Done. We grind fresh daily and specially trim our beef and fat.

A Blue Cheese Bacon Burger Medium Rare piled high with Onion Strings with juice dripping down your chin............

......give it a try?

:-)

[baxtron]

05:45 PM on 07/07/2011

Colon Cancer doctors get ready for unlimited business.

[1kant2]

06:33 PM on 07/07/2011

Eating more meat does not increase your risk of colon cancer. Please stop spreading uniformed false information. You would be better off using your energy to convince people of smoking less; that at least does tie significantly to cancers (including colon).

[HappyBrit]

01:28 PM on 07/09/2011

Harvard Medical School:

"The U.S. study added important information about the effects of long-term meat consumption. The subjects were 148,610 people between the ages of 50 and 74. A high consumption of red and processed meats was linked with a substantial increase in the risk of cancer in the lower colon and rectum. Conversely, the long-term consumption of large amounts of fish and poultry appeared protective."

[Michael Barshack]

05:42 PM on 07/07/2011

I'm not in the least bit a food snob, but I have to say the most vile I thing I have ever eaten is a Big Mac.That gray mystery thing called a burger doesn't even look like meat. I love a good pub burger even more than a steak, so when I get the urge I make it myself, or I go to restaurants or bars that make real burgers,

[TomP100]

05:06 PM on 07/07/2011

Ted's Montana Grill - best burger there is. Especially made with buffalo.

[shanghaislim]

04:38 PM on 07/11/2011

.......is that Cocker's place?

[CRedfield]

04:45 PM on 07/07/2011

I think the nutritionists of America just collectively shuddered at the mention of a "mid-afternoon snack burger". I love a good burger, but I try to keep it a luxury more than the standard for my weight. I hope more folks try bison burgers, they're great.

[Styxtap]

03:32 PM on 07/08/2011

Right on! I try to eat red meat only twice a week... and I have Bison Burgers in my freezer for just such an occasion. :)

[LittleRedEngine]

04:34 PM on 07/07/2011

I was craving Umami burger just yesterday! Quite a change because I never used to crave burgers..

I wonder if the recession has also had a hand in this. Wanting to go out and have an enjoyable meal but not wanting to spend a couple hundred bucks as often as we used to.

[shanghaislim]

04:39 PM on 07/11/2011

Bingo.

I called it 3+ years ago.

[Phxgwen]

04:01 PM on 07/07/2011

I gave up meat/meat products recently for a raw vegan diet.. I have never felt better or looked better..

BUT when I get a craving (that I am forced to resist..) it is a 5 Guys burger with everything and cajun fries that call to me like sirens.. not any pathetic Carl's JR or Wendy's or even In and Out.. only you 5 Guys.. only you!!!

[winniecooper]

05:53 PM on 07/07/2011

I don't eat meat anymore either, but I miss that 5 Guys as well - double with bacon and jalapenos. *drool*

[Phxgwen]

01:45 PM on 07/12/2011

I will tell you though when I want to be bad.. Native Foods as an animal free Oklahoma Bacon Cheeseburger that tastes like the real thing without being the real thing! Love that place!!! It's vegetarian comfort food!

[ckinsobe]

12:36 PM on 07/08/2011

I allow myself a Five Guys fix every 5-6 months, Makes it taste better when you don't have them so often.

[The Revolving Diet]

01:42 PM on 07/07/2011

Plus - fresh made ready to order burgers taste so much better than the same processed flavors you get from McDonald's, Burger King and the like.....

That burger in the picture has me wanting one now!

[Brer Orabbit]

01:18 PM on 07/07/2011

Too much beef. Don't forget to eat your greens.

[Dalm]

02:41 PM on 07/07/2011

I like pickle on my burgers... That's green right?

[Brer Orabbit]

05:05 PM on 07/07/2011

Yes, pickles are delicious but they are very high in salt and have no food value. How about some mustard greens on that burger?

[CRedfield]

04:43 PM on 07/07/2011

The cow already did it for me.