<p>A new analysis has exposed some updated trends for restaurant salads: consumers want more choices, customization, and premium options. Kale salads are also trending. Technomic Blog has released its latest Left Side of the Menu: Soup & Salad Consumer Trend Report, according to a press release.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><img src="https://cdn.andnowuknow.com/legacyWriterImages/technomic_salads_jan_2014_Body_01.jpg" alt="Cropped Images January 30th 2014" /><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">According to a written Technomic post, consumers want choices of portion sizes, as well as the ability to bundle salads with other items like sandwiches. They also want a variety of dressing options and 90% were willing to pay more to add meat or seafood to a salad that doesn't already contain it. 53% of those surveyed say they generally prefer to build their own salad, rather than ordering selections from a menu.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Only 40% of the consumers who were polled said that restaurants they visit do a good job of offering a wide variety of salads. Customizability counts, with 60% saying this is an important factor in their selection of a restaurant salad. Swapping ingredients, adding or removing meat, eggs, cheese or gluten-containing ingredients, is important for many.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Although the word "premium" is open to interpretation, it is interesting to note that more than 33% of consumers said they would buy and are willing to pay more for a salad labeled premium.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">23% said they would consider a kale restaurant salad.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The analysis is based on an exclusive Technomic survey of 1,500 consumers. Comparison data from Technomic's 2009 and 2012 reports reveal shifts in consumer preference and behavior. Restaurant menu trends for soup and salad are also discussed.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">A representative for Technomic tells AndNowUKnow that the report is part of a monthly series which examines consumer and menu trends for the food service industry. Studies are repeated every 2 years, in order to distinguish trends from fads and determine how things are shifting. The latest soup and salad report and other food service studies are available for sale from Technomic.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="https://www.technomic.com/Reports_and_Newsletters/Consumer_Trend_Reports/dyn_PubLoad.php?pID=71" target="_new"> Left Side of the Menu: Soup & Salad Consumer Trend Report </a><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="https://blogs.technomic.com/what-consumers-are-looking-for-in-salads/" target="_new"> Technomic Blog </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
