The sandwich is one of the most convenient and beloved food items across age bands. This is perhaps because of the reason that it is completely customizable as per one’s food preference.
It is believed that the first-ever sandwich was created by John Montagu. He ordered his house cook to bring him something he could eat without getting up from his seat. Hence, the sandwich was born. Montagu enjoyed his meat and bread so much that he started eating it constantly. November 3 is now celebrated as World Sandwich Day to commemorate the birth of the world’s first sandwich-maker,
SANDWICHES CREPT ITS WAY TO OUR HEARTS AND MIND
A sandwich was initially perceived as a food item that people shared while gaming and drinking at night. Slowly it began appearing in polite societies as a late-night meal amongst the aristocracy. In later years, sandwich culture was picked up by almost every café outlet. Retail supermarkets or bakeries and in-flight service also started offering ready-to-eat sandwiches. The increasing popularity of sandwiches inspired a 17-year-old Frederick James Matthew DeLuca in 1965 to start a Quick Service Restaurant. The QSR chain that provided a combination of flavours and nutrition through a variety of sandwiches. He founded a submarine sandwich chain called Subway. Subway is presently the world’s largest fast-food chain offering a different type of nutritious and healthy sandwiches.
TYPES OF SANDWICHES
Modern lifestyles, growing demand for convenience food among the working class and the awareness of healthy snacking items amongst health-conscious millennials are few of the factors fuelling the demand for the sandwiches. Anything can go between the bread slices to make a decadent sandwich — veggies, meats, salads, sauces. Further, Mayonnaise, capsicum and lettuce can be added to enhance its taste. But the best part about a sandwich is that it is super quick and easy to make. Some of the highly savoured sandwich flavours in India are club sandwich, vegetable sandwiches, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, hot dog, hamburger sandwich, open sandwich, submarine sandwich, toast sandwich, grilled sandwich and many more types with a fusion of flavours.
THE “BUY ONE GET ONE OFFER”
Among Indian and international QSR brands sandwiches is an important part of the menu. It is mainly because they are pocket-friendly and completely customizable. Popular sandwich brand, Subway India, whose business revolves around different sandwiches, has been leveraging World Sandwich Day. They are contributing towards eradicating hunger among the underprivileged children and offering its guests to savour “Buy One Get One Offer” on World Sandwich Day. Some other brands which are also en-cashing the business opportunity of sandwiches are Blimpie, Charley’s Grilled Subs, Togo’s Sandwiches, Pita Pit etc.
Sandwiches may seem simple, but QSRs are experimenting the sandwiches with different ingredients and tastes to make them acceptable as the main course meal.
SANDWICHES DRIVING BUSINESS
Experts feel that disposable incomes, increased demand for healthy, convenience and tasty food combined with sandwich service without compromising on quality are key growth driving factors for the businesses based on sandwiches.
