Bite-Size Goes Big-Time

Hand-held foods are approaching $2 billion in annual sales and are the fastest-growing segment of the traditional food industry. Last year, according to the 1999 Chain Account Menu Survey, 280 new portable hand-held meals were introduced into the nation’s chain restaurants. Even McDonald’s is testing a hand-held-only concept—Chipotle’s Mexican Grill—while Autobistro serves California commuters fresh hand-held fare from three-lane toll booths.

With strong trends toward “eatertainment,” interactive…