The influx of bacon included within Fast Food menu items is not a coincidence, but the result of an all-time low cost for Pork in nearly a decade. This drop in price has QSRs not only taking advantage in terms of product inclusions, but rather competing to showcase they have the best bacon items in market. The price of Pork in 2019 can be attributed to the 2018 tariffs on Chinese imports. With US hog producers now lowering their prices to move more of their products domestically, Fast Food chains have swooped right in at the opportunity to purchase Pork in bulk.
While some QSRs chains allege the price of Pork has nothing to do with their new bacon menus, it’s an easy conclusion to attribute it to the recent politics in domestic and foreign tariffs. Outside sources as well. Other products have also contributed to the surge in products such as Cheese. This is a challenge for QSRs given that many external factors can tend to influence products and thus QSRs themselves, whether political, environmental, financial etc. Understanding the future implications, both from a potential advantage or challenge in determining LTO’s and existing item planning for Jack is important. But furthermore, if the competitive marketplace is facing the same external contributing factors, how are we pivoting or wordsmithing differently from the competition to differentiate ourselves?
Jack's Snack Bites 