The $182 billion U.S. foodservice lunch market has been growing at a slugglish rate of less than $1 billion annually since 2000, according to a new report from market research firm Packaged Facts

The $182 billion U.S. foodservice lunch market has been growing at a slugglish rate of less than $1 billion annually since 2000, according to a new report from market research firm Packaged Facts. The report, Revolution in Dayparts: Lunch in the Foodservice Market, notes that more than a third of all foodservice sales takes place at lunchtime, yet with the exception of public-school lunches, market growth has been non-existent, with sales only expected to creep up to slightly more than $187 billion by 2012. In other findings, the report notes that sandwiches still dominate lunchtime fare, with burgers still the leader in the fast-food (QSR) segment. However, burger restaurants are rapidly losing market share to non-burger sandwich chains as well as grab-and-go foods from c-stores, grocery stores and supercenters. "While the market is continually evolving and innovating not only with the foods being prepared but the packaging as well, none of these innovations has necessarily converted new lunchtime customers," notes Packaged Facts Publisher Don Montuori. "We don’t see this changing any time soon, which means growth will lay solely on increased institutional foodservice demands, particularly in schools." For more on the study, go to www.packagedfacts.com/Revolution-Dayparts-Lunch-1351325.