Frozen foods figure more often in consumers’ meal plans as inflation continues to pressure shopper spending for foods. Research by Circana and 210 Analytics found that the number of frozen food purchases is on the rebound after declining throughout 2023. Frozen food trips increased 1.2% in May.

“In the new MULO+ universe, frozen food sales for the year totaled $84.2 billion, whereas the five May weeks generated $8.2 billion,” according to data from 210 Analytics, Circana and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI). “Meals and desserts were the largest sellers in May. More and more categories are growing unit sales in the shorter-term view, including robust gains for processed meat. In the 52-week (ending Dec. 31, 2023) view, only two categories grew units year-on-year, processed meat and baked goods.”

Frozen meat and poultry accounted for $667 million in sales for May 2024, an increase of 0.3% compared to the same year-ago period. Processed meat totaled $655 million in dollar sales for May, which was an increase of 5.7% compared to May 2023.

Summer food and fun

Heading into the “dog days of summer,” vacations, holidays and family gatherings present food manufacturers the opportunity to be part of memorable occasions — of which there will be plenty.

The Circana, 210 Analytics and AFFI research found that 65% of consumers surveyed said they plan to do a cookout or barbecue this summer and 63% plan to host friends and family.

“Four in 10 consumers, 43%, are planning to entertain as much or more this summer, with parties or small gatherings,” the report said. “Many sporting events, including the Summer Olympics, and summer holidays provide a great opportunity to get consumers to splurge a little more.”

For the Fourth of July, 62% of consumers surveyed said they plan to do something special with getting together with friends and family, cookouts and going to watch fireworks and/or a parade topping their things to-do list.

White Castle is able to manufacture multiple frozen slider offerings featuring beef and chicken with three production plants dedicated to retail demand. 

| Source: White Castle

Bust out the burgers

Fresh ground beef is the go-to product for consumers looking for an easy meal to throw on the grill. But pricing is driving more shoppers to the frozen case for burgers. Once there, shoppers are spoiled for choice; frozen burger manufacturers have been flexing their innovation muscles.

Jensen Meat Co., Otay Mesa, Calif., a co-packer of ground beef for foodservice and retail customers, offers a line of fresh and individually quick frozen patties (IQF) in different shapes, sizes and lean-to-fat ratios. The company is a Certified Angus Beef (CAB) brand with a branded patty product line that includes bacon and cheddar patties, jalapeño patties, Swiss and mushroom patties, chipotle and Monterey patties.

White Castle, with headquarters in Columbus, Ohio, runs three frozen retail plants in Covington and Louisville, Ky., in addition to one in Vandalia, Ohio. With this processing capacity, the company is able to manufacture offerings such as the White Castle Original Sliders, Classic Cheese Sliders, Chicken Breast Sliders, Chicken & Cheese Sliders and Jalapeño Cheese Sliders for the frozen foods aisle.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based BUBBA Foods LLC specializes in manufacturing frozen burgers for retailers. The company’s BUBBA Burger line grew with two new product introductions this year.

The Smashed BUBBA burger is the brand’s 14th beef variety patty, joining a product portfolio with options like Angus Swiss, Jalapeño Cheddar, Sweet Onion, Bacon Cheddar, Wagyu and Grass-Fed.

The new burger offers a ¼ lb of protein in a smashed patty which is made using 100% USDA Choice beef chuck. A thinner, smashed format creates more surface area to develop a crispy crust when cooked on the grill or in a skillet, the company said. The product contains no fillers, no artificial ingredients and no preservatives, and goes from box to bun in about six minutes.

Source: BUBBA Burgers

“We couldn’t be more excited to introduce our Smashed BUBBA burger,” said Elizabeth Rice, brand manager for BUBBA Foods LLC. “Our team developed a method to smash our premium quality 100% USDA Choice beef chuck, resulting in a juicy, craveable burger that requires minimal prep from the comfort of home. It’s the ideal solution for retailers, especially when consumers are looking for more quick and easy options in-store.”

Additionally, BUBBA burger offers chicken, turkey and veggie burger varieties. The chicken BUBBA burger debuted in March at the Annual Meat Conference in Nashville and launched on the market in May.

The chicken burger is made from 100% all-natural chicken and can go from box to bun in 12 minutes or less for a convenient protein solution for time-crunched consumers.

“We were trying to find new and innovative ways to continue to add some innovation and expand the burger market (and) have some new offerings,” said Jamie Sakin, vice president of Business Development at Bubba Foods. “So, we know that with consumers now trying to find value, whether it’s on the beef side or on the pork side, just to do their entire grocery trip, having an additional item to help to satisfy those meal occasions and have a wholesome product for families is something we wanted to chase after.

“And we identified there’s not really a big national brand on the frozen, ready to cook chicken burger,” He added. “So, the opportunity for it is kind of an untapped market to where instead of just being a turkey burger category it can now be a poultry burger category.”

Frozen burgers can check a lot of boxes for consumers who are looking for a satisfying eating experience without sacrificing flavor or nutrition. Poultry burgers also can be a less expensive option for consumers on a budget but desiring a flavor adventure.

“When I go to the store, my husband likes to pick up the jalapeno cheddar and I like to pick up the turkey and, once the chicken (patties) are out, I’ll be picking that up,” Rice said during the Meat Conference. “You can have a bunch at home and grill them all at the same time and have a different variety. So, we really like the consumer being able to come to the case and have that choice.“

Source: Juicy Lucy Burgers

Twin Cities star

The co-founders of Juicy Lucy Burgers set out to introduce a Minnesota classic to a broader audience. Launched in 2023 and exhibited at the Meat Conference, the cook-from-frozen burgers are stuffed with cheese.

The burger originated in the Midwest, but a version of the Juicy Lucy is served at Barney’s Beanery, a full-service restaurant and bar in West Hollywood, Calif., where it is a best seller. Chefs and founders worked to capture the flavor of the Juicy Lucy in a format fit for wide distribution.

“The Juicy Lucy burger has been our bestseller for years,” said AJ Sacher, co-founder of Juicy Lucy. “We’ve had customers from near and far rave about it. Our mission has always been to serve exceptional food, and with Juicy Lucy Burgers, we’re taking it to the next level.”

Juicy Lucy Burgers come in three varieties — BBQ Bacon Cheddar, Jalapeño Cheddar, and the Three Cheese Stuffed Classic, and packed in a box of six. The burgers contain the equivalent of two slices of cheese, and each patty is 6.3 oz.

“Our goal is to share a Juicy Lucy burger with people everywhere,” Sacher said. “We’ve poured our heart and soul into perfecting this burger, and we can’t wait for others to enjoy it as much as we do.”