THREE quarters of Gen Z would be more likely to eat fruit if it was served at their favourite fast-food restaurant.
A poll of 2,000 adults found 42 per cent of 18-29-year-olds want to see more natural sweet treats on the menu at their usual late-night dining establishments.
Rubicon has teamed up with London chicken shop staple Sam’s Chicken Credit: http://www.mikepalmer.photo
The menu has been designed to celebrate fruit served like never before Credit: http://www.mikepalmer.photo
Other unorthodox locations this generation want to see fruit appear in include music venues (23 per cent), pubs and bars (22 per cent), and even nightclubs (12 per cent).
A quarter (24 per cent) reckon this food group needs to be more ‘relevant’ the young people.
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This could include serving it in takeaway packaging (21 per cent), with dips or sauces (11 per cent), or seasoned with flavours like chilli, lime, salt, and spices (13 per cent).
To answer the Gen Z desire for fruit to have a fast-food glow-up, soft drink Rubicon has teamed up with London chicken shop staple Sam’s Chicken, best known as the home of Chicken Shop Dates, which has just announced its final series.
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Together they’re set to open the UK’s first Fast Fruit Shop [C] at the chain’s Harlesden store, open from 3pm–9pm on Friday, September 4 and 1pm–9pm on Saturday, September 5.
The menu has been designed to celebrate fruit served like never before, featuring creations such as Cherry Jerk Mango Tostones Tacos, Tropical Pineapple Loaded Fries, BBQ Watermelon Ribs, and Mango Fruit Churros.
And it’s not just the food that’s getting fruity – the pop up’s soundtrack is being infused with a tropical twist too.
Visitors can make some noise on an interactive keyboard which turns real exotic delicacies into instruments for an unexpected jam session, open to all levels.
Lisa McKenna from Rubicon, which commissioned the research, said: “We think it’s time for fruit to take centre stage.
“Our research shows Gen Z isn’t turning its back on fruit – quite the opposite.
“They love it and are actively looking for healthier choices, but they want fruit to meet them where they are – whether that’s at a chicken shop, in takeaway packaging, or after dark.
“We know they are also looking for new ways to socialise beyond pubs and clubs.
“So, we’ve given their usual night out spot a fruity remix, packed with big, bold flavours.
“Chicken shops are part of the fabric of British food culture, so we thought it was time for these two worlds to collide. We can’t wait for London to get a taste.”
Gen Z are also the most experimental generation, with 55 per cent encountering fruity flavours for the first time through soft drinks, according to the OnePoll.com data.
While others have experienced the taste of fruit in the form a dessert (44 per cent), sweets (49 per cent), or a cocktail (36 per cent) before trying the real thing.
Despite this, 82 per cent have certain fruits they’ve never tried but would like to, such as guava (30 per cent), lychee (33 per cent), and passionfruit (22 per cent).
Over a third (35 per cent) would be even more keen to try these if they were combined with flavours or ingredients they already enjoy or if they were served in an unexpected way (25 per cent).
Niroch Fernando from Sam’s Chicken said: “Chicken shops and fresh fruit might sound like an unlikely combination, but that’s exactly why we loved the idea.
“Takeaway culture is about convenience, fun, and trying something new – and the Fast Fruit Shop brings all three together.
“We’ve loved playing with flavour and putting fruit front and centre, while giving some of our classics a fruity twist.”
