NEW YORK — The sandwich market is worth $121 billion and there is room to grow, according to U.S. Foodservice and Retail Market and Trends from Packaged Facts.
Packaged Facts projects the sandwich market will continue to grow exponentially, riding partly on the major success of sandwich chains, which have successfully risen beyond hoagie heaven to reach new realms of sandwich bliss. Adding fresh hearth-baked artisan breads grilled into panini, filled with other-worldly creations often inspired by well-known chefs, the business of sandwiches is booming.
As varied as the sandwiches themselves are, the outlets where they are purchased are even more diverse. From retail outlets and warehouse clubs to convenience stores, restaurants and institutions, sandwiches continue to be a dominant force, making up 25 percent of the total U.S. foodservice sales.
Sandwich chains, while trumped in overall sandwich sales by burger joints (which accounted for 45 percent of the sandwich market), realized the greatest revenue growth from 2003 to 2005, while at the same time adding units faster than any other sandwich segment.
"With the introduction of panini and international flavor profiles, the opportunity to raise sandwiches to a new art form has taken place as even local delis and convenience stores have begun to upscale and add health-infused ingredients to their sandwich arsenals," said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. "Sales in retail outlets now surpass sandwich chains, and restaurants sales, which dominate the market with more than half of sandwich revenues, show now signs of slowing up."
