Of all the things Americans miss about life prior to the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, it may be hard to believe that commuting to work ranks high on the list. According to results from a recent OnePoll survey commissioned by the Atlanta, Georgia-headquartered Jamba chain of smoothie and juice outlets, three in four Americans can’t wait to get back to their daily commute. And in hindsight, 64% say they used to take aspects of their pre-pandemic morning routine for granted – with grabbing breakfast being one of the things they miss most.
With this renewed appreciation for the hustle and bustle of the morning grind, Jamba is debuting new menu items with in-store and delivery options. Launching nationwide on April 13 and available all day long, the products include two Handwiches – Jamba’s take on the classic breakfast sandwich designed to pack flavor into a small package to fit in one hand for eating on-the-go – and a Veggie Egg Bake. Descriptions of the offerings follow:
• Impossible Handwich (SRP $3.79). Featuring Impossible Foods’ plant-based faux sausage, it’s made for consumers who like meat, while serving up fewer calories and less fat than real sausage. Each Handwich is layered with melted white cheddar cheese between toasted sprouted grain buns, boasting 12 grams of protein and only 220 calories.
• Classic Sausage, Egg & Cheese Handwich (SRP $3.49). This is the real deal, made with all-natural pork sausage, egg, and melted white cheddar cheese layered between toasted sprouted grain buns. Positioned as the “perfect size for a grab-and-go breakfast, whether at home or on the move,” the Handwich pairs well with a smoothie or juice. It’s packed with 12 grams of protein and contains 320 calories.
• Spring Veggie Egg Bake (SRP $3.99). This offering is light, fluffy and bursting with red bell peppers, spring leeks, and artichoke hearts. Serving up under 200 calories and free of gluten ingredients, it’s a good source of protein and calcium.
“We pride ourselves in offering guests a wide selection of menu items that meet all lifestyles,” said Danielle Fisher, Jamba’s vice president of marketing. “For years we’ve been a go-to morning stop with our blended smoothies, juices and bowls. Now, the Impossible Handwich, featuring delicious sausage made from plants, along with our Classic Handwich and Egg Bake, deliver guests flavor-packed, hand-held options that bring even more variety as they kickstart their day.”
In addition to uncovering how Americans really feel about their current “commute,” Jamba set out to discover insights around how more than a year of working and schooling-from-home impacted breakfast habits. Here are the findings:
•64% of respondent in the survey sampling of 1,000 consumers said they still don’t have time for breakfast even though they’re staying home, and her half skip breakfast four days or more in a typical week.
•More than 80% feel less productive on days they’ve skipped breakfast, and 71% say it’s important to have a fulfilling breakfast before a big meeting or test.
•61% are bored with all of their home-made breakfast options, with 44% having cereal on a typical day.
•Two in three wish they could get delivery from their go-to breakfast spots they used to frequent while commuting, and 44% look forward to buying breakfast sandwiches once they commute again.
