back to articles & news
bd's Mongolian Grill Responds to National Consumer Dining Trends With "Fun, Fresh Food" Promotion
Jan 11, 2010
bd's Home Office, Press Release
bd's Mongolian Grill Responds to National Consumer Dining Trends
Promotion provides Healthy
Dining menu options to start the New Year and
American Heart Association
Editor's note: Additional information on consumer and
restaurant industry trends is included at the end of the release.
"bd's is known for providing a fun dining experience with healthy and flavorful food options 365 days a year, and we're taking that commitment to the next level with the Fun. Fresh. Food. promotion by responding to today's consumer demands," said Denise Head, Vice President of Marketing for bd's Mongolian Grill. "We are excited to go beyond our restaurant walls to share our commitment by partnering with HEALTHY DINING and raising awareness and contributions for the American Heart Association."
During the promotion, guests at bd's Mongolian Grill may try several new recipes including Sweet Lean Pork, Chicken and Spinach Pasta, Cajun Spiced Chicken and Broccoli, and Totally Fun Stir-Fry. These recipes incorporate bold flavors and better-for you ingredients, including whole wheat pasta, spinach, cabbage and olive oil, reflecting trends identified in a December 2009 NPD Group report and recent Mintel research that consumers desire stronger flavor profiles and inherently healthful items. Top 2010 trends identified by food industry trend consulting firm Technomics reference freshness, customizable meals and seasonal vegetables, all of which are emphasized during the Fun, Fresh Foods promotion and are part of bd's year-round commitment to providing HEALTHY DINING options.
Nutrition:
bd's provides food choices for those with special dietary preferences such as gluten-free, low sodium, and vegetarian. Specific options include:
- Nearly 20 fresh vegetables for guests to include as part of a balanced bowl.
- An array of lean meats and seafood.
- All sauces and desserts are trans fat-free and cholesterol free.
- Five flavorful sauces are gluten-free.
- Thirteen savory sauces are vegetarian.
- Four sauces are gluten-free and vegetarian.
- Caloric, carbohydrate, fat and vegetarian and gluten content for all sauces are displayed in the market area.
Community Giving:
As part of bd's pledge to raise $10,000 for the American Heart Association (AHA), guests may contribute individual donations in the restaurants. For each dollar donated, guests may sign a paper heart which will be displayed around the grill. In addition, bd's offers a special "Guest Griller" fundraising program for non-profit organizations. Any interested group should contact local general managers for more information. Contact information can be found here.
Restaurant Concept:
bd's Mongolian Grill is a leader in the "Asian Grill" dining segment, recognized in recent restaurant industry trends as a popular niche appealing to young families. The restaurant provides a casual dining experience in an energetic atmosphere where guests choose their ingredients from a large variety of meats and seafood, fresh vegetables and flavorful sauces to create their own unique stir-fry. After guests gather their food, they watch their creation being grilled to perfection Mongolian style on bd's signature 6-foot diameter flat grill. bd's provides healthy food choices for those with special dietary needs such as gluten-free, low sodium, vegetarian and allergy-free requirements.
About bd's Mongolian Grill:
The first bd's opened in 1992 in Royal Oak, Mich. The chain has grown to 36 restaurants. Thirty-five locations are based domestically in 13 states, including 12 company-owned restaurants and 23 franchises. There is one franchise location in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. bd's offers multi-unit franchise opportunities specifically targeted in the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. To learn more about bd's Mongolian Grill, visit www.GoMongo.com or call (952) 288-2300.
About HEALTHY DINING
HEALTHY DINING has worked with hundreds of restaurants and analyzed thousands of menu items for nutritional content. Restaurant menu entrees may be posted on HealthyDiningFinder.com only if they contain a fruit or vegetable, a lean protein or have 100 percent whole grains, and contain fewer than 750 calories, 25 grams of fat and 8 grams of saturated fat, or less. For more information including tips for healthier eating in all restaurants, visit www.HealthyDiningFinder.com.
Consumer and Restaurant Trends
bd's Mongolian Grill is pleased to share the following trends and data on consumer dining preferences. For more information, please visit the web sites listed below.
Flavor Preferences
A recent article in Nation's Restaurant News (NRN) cited research by Mintel, a global supplier of consumer, media and market research, reporting that nine out of 10 Americans recognize the importance of eating healthful meals, but six in 10 say it is difficult to do when dining in restaurants due to limited availability of healthful items. Mintel also predicts that consumers will sample more regional ethnic flavors.
Another NRN article highlighted a report from NPD Group, a leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information, finding that consumers are in search of stronger flavor profiles such as ethnic and spicy tastes. The increased interest in these flavors is not limited by age group.
Technomics, a provider of food and foodservice industry data, released last week the Top 2010 Trends referencing freshness, customizable meals and seasonal vegetables as additional relevant areas to consumers.
back to articles & news