New Research Finds America’s Love of Sandwiches Creates a $121 Billion Market

New York, December 18, 2006 — Call them what you will—clubs, gyros, melts, po’boys, muffalettas, wraps, or subs—Americans’ love of sandwiches created a market worth more than $121 billion in 2005, according to Sandwiches in the U.S.: Foodservice and Retail Market and Trends, the latest market research from Packaged Facts.

Packaged Facts projects that the market will continue to grow exponentially, riding partly on the major success of sandwich chains, which have successfully risen beyond hoagie heaven to reach new realms of sandwich bliss. Adding fresh hearth-baked artisan breads grilled into paninis, filled with other-worldly creations often inspired by well-known chefs, the business of sandwiches is booming.

As varied as the sandwiches themselves are, the outlets where they are purchased are even more diverse. From retail outlets and warehouse clubs to convenience stores, restaurants, and institutions, sandwiches continue to be a dominant force, making up 25% of the total U.S. foodservice sales.

Sandwich chains, while trumped in overall sandwich sales by burger joints (which accounted for 45% of the sandwich market), realized the greatest revenue growth from 2003 to 2005, while at the same time adding units faster than any other sandwich segment. Based on such findings, it’s little wonder that Entrepreneur Magazine ranked Subway as the #1 franchise opportunity for 2006.

“With the introduction of paninis and international flavor profiles, the opportunity to raise sandwiches to a new art form has taken place as even local delis and convenience stores have begun to upscale and add health-infused ingredients to their sandwich arsenals,” said Don Montuori, the publisher of Packaged Facts. “Sales in retail outlets now surpass sandwich chains, and restaurants sales, which dominate the market with more than half of sandwich revenues, show now signs of slowing up.”

Sandwiches in the U.S. thoroughly examines the current and future market, detailing the role of sandwiches in retail, commercial, and non-commercial foodservice outlets, and focusing on trends driving sales and sandwich innovation. Priced at $1995, this report is available from Packaged Facts by visiting: http://www.packagedfacts.com/pub/1272014.html. It is also available at MarketResearch.com.

About Packaged Facts
Packaged Facts, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes market intelligence on a wide range of consumer industries, including food and beverage, and demographics. For more information visit www.PackagedFacts.com, or contact Tom Ehart at 240-747-3014, or tehart@marketresearch.com.