In a recent issue of Entrepreneur Magazine (December 2005), they have a “Hot List” of the trends and best business ideas for 2006. They start off with none other than the food industry. The five hot business ideas they list are good news for foodies.
According to the magazine, these are the businesses that are growing like wildfire, so you should see the manifestations of the products soon near you. Here is their list, which should warm the hearts and bellies of food lovers everywhere.
1. Tea
The 6.8 billion dollar tea industry is one of the strongest beverage markets, on track to reach 10 billion dollars by 2010. Green, white and specialty teas are where health-conscious consumers are spending their money, so bottled versions of these are on the rise. Also, expect to see more tea shops opening in densely populated areas. Teabucks anyone?
2. Online Specialty Foods
Do you have a hankering for black truffles, saffron or exotic jams? Online specialty food store businesses are booming, according to Entrepreneur, so whatever your special craving is, you should be able to find it online soon.
3. Do-It-Yourself Meal Preparation
DIY meal preparation is all the rage now, where it barely existed a few years ago. Dinner by Design and Dream Dinners are two of the biggies spurring growth. No kidding. Two new places where consumers can assemble their own dinners to freeze and use later have popped up in my Sacramento suburb in the last few months, and they seem to be popular with the target market: overworked, stressed-out parents.
4. One-Product Restaurants
St. Paul Minnesota is home to a one-product restaurant, and this one is a bit nutty. P.B. Loco specializes in all things peanut butter. Other up-and-coming one-product restaurants specialize in cream puffs, soup or cereal. Which leads to our next, and final trend….
5. Chocolate Cafes.
‘Nuff said. But indulge me to say a little more. Watch chocolatiers work while you sip your gourmet hot chocolate, eat a masterpiece of a pastry and maybe take home some ultra premium hand-dipped chocolates. When can I move in?