Top Trends in Franchising for 2011
Jolly Backer, CEO of Fresh Healthy Vending “weighs in” on new franchise trends that he foresees for this year and beyond.
“As part of our research prior to the launch of Fresh Healthy Vending in 2010 we did substantial research into the trends most likely to impact the franchise industry in the years ahead and the following is a ‘snapshot’ of what we found” notes Backer. Key franchising trends that we indentified fell into several categories but we see these three particular ones enjoying 7-10 years of robust growth before we start seeing any market saturation.
Innovative healthy food offerings
“Green” products and services
Health and wellness businesses
Healthy Kids Diets Makes for Better Learning in Schools
Sure it takes some good effort for parents to prepare packed meals for their children, and it even takes a lot more to ensure that kids are eating healthy in school when they miss the time to send nutritious lunches and snacks to their kids. With the frenetic and busy schedules of working families, the kids’ health is at times taking the backseat. And unfortunately, it leads to childhood obesity and poor performance in schools.
So, what options are we looking at for our kids’ healthy diet? How do we make them perform well in school and stay alert all throughout the day?
Vending Machines: Consumer Perceptions Are Changing
When we think of a typical vending machine, we conjure up images of salty chips, sweetened sodas and fruit juices, candies and chocolate bars, and ice cream—the kinds of food that give us excess fat that are just so hard to burn and impacts the increasing obesity rate and health care industry of America. But the good news is more and more people are starting to become aware of their health and know that junk foods are killing children’s lifestyle choices. Hence, the clamor for fresh healthy vending machines is increasing, too—much to the positive interest of both the vending machine franchise owners and the consumers who are looking for healthier alternatives.
In the recent findings of the Centers for Disease Control as many as two-thirds of adults in the U.S. are overweight or obese. This translates to the fact that almost 200 million overweight or obese people, and the number is expected to increase because the number of overweight and obese children 6 to 19 years old has tripled over the past 25 years. For this reason, President Obama, at the onset of his administration, vehemently called for the overhauling of vending machines in school campuses to include more nutritious products and replace junk foods.
Corporate Wellness Programs Including Healthy Vending to Lower Insurance Rates
Sedentary lifestyles, junk food vending machines, greasy fast food ala cart menu, and unhealthy school and workplace cafeteria meals; these are some of the frequently-mentioned contributing factors to the soaring rate of obesity in the country. And often said, continue to hurt the nation’s health care cost due the number of illnesses associated with uncontrollable weight gain.
In South Dakota, obesity rate has soared from 13 percent to more than 30 percent since 1995, making the state the ninth worst in the country in terms of highest obesity rate. According to Dr. Stephanie Broderson, the loss of farm labor, which used to be a good activity to keep youth in top shape, is partly seen to impact the self-reported obesity rate among its residents. Meanwhile, a CDC (Centers for Disease Control) report discloses that South Dakotans eat the least amount of vegetables in the nation, which somehow help explains the increased obesity cases compared to its neighboring states.
Office Vending Machines Need to get Healthier
Injecting fun in the workplace and motivating employees to perform harder do not always involve monetary incentives. A simple pat on the back when an employee gives an outstanding performance or a piece of certificate acknowledging a person’s productivity output are sometimes enough to boost employee morale. However, there is a new buzz that’s going around the workplace nowadays, and it doesn’t only recognize employees’ performance, but also pushes for a healthy lifestyle.
Right, wellness campaign has extended its influence in several workplaces in America and is proving to be very effective in reducing sick leaves among employees. And with the decreasing rate of employees calling in sick to work, the cost in insurance claims of the work force has seen a significant reduction, too.
Junk Foods in School Vending Machines Causing Childhood Obesity
As schools are removing unhealthy foods out of the popular vending machines, studies have been conducted in order to find out what vended foods and beverages can do towards the human body. Among these studies is from the University of Michigan. Based on this study, the researchers found out that vended foods and beverages may be linked to obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease.
UM Medical School’s research study further stated that school children who are consuming foods that they purchased from junk food vending machines will likely develop a poor diet quality. Consequently, these children will become overweight or obese. Plus, they are at greater risks for chronic health problems like diabetes and coronary artery disease.
Childhood Obesity Rates Reduced by Fresh Vending Machines
There are some good things happening as the pressure for the Childhood Obesity campaign intensifies. One, many school districts are already overhauling some of the food choices in their ala carte menu to supply children with more nutritious foods. Then, there’s also a considerable makeover in some museums frequented by kids and parents to include healthier options in their in-house vending machines. Even restaurants and cafes in the metropolis are experimenting on new dishes that will satisfy the appetite of health-enthusiasts; likewise, health clubs are also up to speed in upgrading their services to promote healthy lifestyle through their top of the line equipment and healthy food choices.
But the fight for ending childhood obesity doesn’t stop there. Because schools are just as enthusiastic to do more, this time, they are welcoming the arrival of more fresh vending machines in their campus. Time to toss Doritos and M&Ms because more veggies, fruits, milk, 100% fresh juices are replacing some of the old-favorites. To date, 42 states have already passed regulations forbidding the high-calorie and high-sodium items that were marketed in traditional vending machines—good news to all parents who have always wished their kids are eating healthy even away from home.
Healthy Snacks and Drinks for Field Trips
If going to the museum with your kids proved to be too tasking as you need to prep for some healthy lunches or snacks for your group, fret no more, because healthy lunches has now reached the museums for kids’ and parents’ to devour.
Used to be a place with four blank walls coated in beige where visitors can grab some snacks through their well used vending machines, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, has officially transformed their lunchroom into an enjoyable and healthy place where families or school groups can eat their packed lunches.
Healthy Vending and Lunches for Schools This Year
Schools continue to move up a gear in promoting good nutrition and take control of the foods being served to students in their cafeterias by removing junk foods in their ala carte menu. Some of the widely popular choices that were replaced with healthier versions are ice cream and chocolate chip cookie—and counting.
This move is in strict compliance to the Healthy Kids Act to be fully implemented this fall at schools throughout the state. Marshalltown High School is one to say goodbye to nachos, ice cream, and brownies and welcomed the addition of yogurt, cheese crackers, and graham crackers among the latest 100-calorie snack packs introduced in its campus cafeteria. Healthy snack ideas should be introduced through school vending programs and there are now companies with fresh vending menus for middle and high schools that are making an impact in the U.S.
Hello Fresh Vending Goodbye Junk Foods
- How wonderful can it get to see more and more individuals munching on carrot sticks and dip, chicken sandwiches, turkey wraps, cold fruit juices and bottled water, green salads with chicken chunks, and other healthy snacks as opposed to coca-cola sodas, Lays, or Kit-Kats?
The concept of healthy vending machines is truly changing as the nation heightens its call for a healthier lifestyle. In fact, this campaign has also reached other countries like Canada, whose obesity rate has also tripled in recent years, which is why, the trend for fresh vending is soaring high to help reduce obesity rate among children and adults alike.