Consumer Research: Hot Dog Insights
In honor of National Hot Dog Day, Brisan Group partnered with Vienna Beef and spoke to consumers to explore current consumption and purchase drivers of hot dogs.
Snapshot
We’ll cover the following:
Hot dog consumption: how often, where and when they’re consumed
Consumers favorite way to cook hot dogs
What the most popular type of hot dog is, according to consumers
The most popular brands of hot dogs purchased by consumers
Favorite hot dog toppings
What new flavors for hot dogs might taste like
The role of a hot dog in recipes
What a better-for-you hot dog should taste like
Hot Dog Consumption: How Often, Where and When They’re Consumed
a dog a week … or more
Over a third of consumers responded eating a hot dog at least once a week or more often. While over half of consumers are eating hot dogs 2-3 times a month.
Surprise, consumers are not eating many hot dogs for breakfast–lunch and dinner are when they are most likely consumed.
Consumer’s Favorite Way to Cook Hot Dogs
the grill wins
Consumers mainly grill and boil their hot dogs with grilling being their favorite way to heat up a hot dog.
Brisan Group Hot Dog Survey 2020
Brisan Group Hot Dog Survey 2020
The Most Popular Type of Hot Dog
Beef is king
All beef hot dogs are the most popular among consumers.
Despite beef being king, consumers are branching out and trying new types of hot dogs including plant-based options.
Among those that have tried plant-based hot dogs, half describe the taste as different and some describe the taste as similar to a regular hot dog. However, some consumers claim the plant-based hot dog tastes better. Brands of plant-based hot dogs typically purchased are MorningStar Farms and Lightlife.
The Most Popular Brands of Hot Dogs Purchased by Consumers
which brand rises above?
In the Chicagoland area, it’s no surprise that consumers rated Vienna as the most popular brand. Vienna and Ball Park are two of the top hot dog brands purchased followed by Oscar Mayer, Nathan's Famous and Hebrew National.
Favorite Hot Dog Toppings
Ketchup takes a back seat
Popular toppings for hot dogs include the following: mustard, onions, relish, pickle and tomato.
When Chicago consumers were asked to name their FAVORITE topping over a third chose mustard. The next favorite and significantly lower was ketchup.
Brisan Group Hot Dog Survey 2020
What New Flavors Might Taste Like, According to Consumers
a shift in cravings
The majority of consumers are interested in a flavored hot dog besides cheese. A few of the top flavor interests include the following: jalapeno-cheddar, sun-dried tomato, cream cheese and caramelized onion.
The Role of Hot Dogs in Recipes
Hot dogs as a main ingredient
Over a third of consumers use hot dogs in other recipes. It might be of interest for hot dog companies to become innovative with recipes and provide new ways on how to incorporate the famous, summer staple, the hot dog, into more and more recipes.
Recipes consumers use are varying but many mention they add hot dogs to mac and cheese, potatoes, casseroles and baked beans.
What a Better-for-You Hot Dog Should Taste Like, According to Consumers
taste as always, is king
As consumers are more worried about their health, it is no surprise that the majority are interested in a better-for-you hot dog with low sodium, low calories, minimal ingredients, and 100% grass-fed beef.
Better-for-you is an interest as long as the taste remains the same as a regular hot dog. More than half of consumers expect the better-for-you hot dog to taste the same. However, with a clean ingredient list, some consumers expect the better-for-you hot dog to taste even better.
“It’s healthier without all the preservatives. I expect it to have a cleaner taste.”
-Jessica J.
“Better, high-quality ingredients would make it taste better.”
-Jeanne M.
Key Industry Takeaways
Consumers are eating hot dogs once a week or more often and most likely for lunch or dinner.
Consumers prefer to grill their hot dogs.
ALL BEEF are the most popular type of hot dog consumed.
Vienna and Ball Park are the most popular brand of hot dog purchased by consumers.
Mustard is the fan-favorite topping for hot dogs, according to Chicago consumers.
Consumers are craving new hot dog flavors like jalapeno-cheddar and sun-dried tomato.
Hot dogs are used as a main ingredient in many summer side dishes.
Consumers are interested in a better-for-you hot dog that is low-sodium, low-calorie and made with minimal ingredients and 100% grass-fed beef.
