The line also achieved a Buy Shares score of 72%, meaning nearly three-quarters of respondents said they would buy shares in the idea. The score places the range among the top 15% of comparable innovations in System1’s database of more than 60,000 tested ideas.

The range also received an Emotion-into-Action score of 77, classified as “Good.” This metric combines the type and intensity of consumers’ emotional responses, giving greater weight to emotions most likely to translate into action.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of consumers expressed a positive emotional response, comprising happiness (52%) and surprise (11%). By contrast, just 6% expressed negative emotions. Convenience and variety in particular emerged as spontaneous drivers of happiness, with consumers welcoming the opportunity to enjoy Toby Carvery favorites at home and the breadth of dishes available.

The concept also demonstrated strong brand alignment, with 92% of respondents agreeing that it fitted with the Toby Carvery brand, while 94% considered the range recognizable.

The findings come as restaurant brands increasingly look beyond their traditional dining locations to establish a presence in UK supermarkets. Brands including Pizza Express, Nando’s and Itsu have already expanded into the retail sector, tapping into consumer demand for familiar restaurant experiences at home.

Tristan Findlay, Innovation at System1’s chief growth officer, commented: “Toby Carvery has done the unexpected, bringing the Sunday roast straight into people’s homes with a ready-to-eat range. It may not be one for me personally, but I’m clearly not speaking for UK consumers, who rated it a strong 4.2 Stars, a sign it’s set to drive trial.”

He added: ”Hats off to the team. It’s a move nobody saw coming, and the timing is spot on, with hearty British comfort food landing just as the colder months set in. Whether shoppers stick with the freezer aisle or head back to their local carvery will come down to product quality, but in the short term, this one is set to sell.”

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Leading the rollout are offerings including Crispy Salmon Bites, Salmon Wellington with Cheddar, Lemon and Spinach, and Pan-Seared Pacific Cod varieties. The products are designed to take the work and intimidation out of preparing seafood while delivering the flavor and quality people expect from a great meal.

“Consumers are hungry for more seafood, but too often, convenience and routine keep them reaching for the same meals,” said CEO Daryl Gormley. “We’re flipping that script. These new products are designed to make seafood easier, more exciting and more craveable than ever, bringing bold flavors and effortless convenience to the everyday meal. We want to give consumers a reason to rethink what seafood can be and make it something they’re genuinely excited to put on the table.”

In support of the retail launch, Aquamar is taking direct aim at “Big Chicken,” one of the most entrenched proteins in the American dinner routine. Developed through a partnership with ONE23WEST, the company’s new “Chickensanity” campaign extends that challenger mindset beyond the package and into a provocative, entertainment-driven advertising initiative. The campaign is grounded in a simple insight: Americans eat a lot of chicken, and too often settle for another uninspiring dinner because it’s familiar and easy.

Inspired by the horror movie genre, “Chickensanity” turns the monotony of repetitive chicken dinners into something darker. The campaign’s original longer-form films pushed the premise so far that versions were deemed too intense for mainstream viewership before 7 PM, leading to the creation of edited versions for broader audiences. And Aquamar isn’t limiting the fight to the screen.

An accompanying out-of-home promotion will take the message directly to “Big Chicken’s” doorstep, with placements in close proximity to fast food chicken restaurants. Provocative creative including “Give Chicken the Bird” will confront consumers at the very moment they’re about to make chicken their default choice yet again.

“Big Chicken has spent decades making itself the easy answer to what’s for dinner?,” said Gormley. “We’re here to give people a more interesting answer. ‘Chickensanity’ is deliberately provocative because breaking the entrenched chicken habit requires more than another beautiful picture of seafood. It requires a reason to stop, rethink the routine and get excited about what’s on the plate.”

The campaign represents a sharp departure from traditional seafood advertising. Instead of oceans, fishing boats and pristine seafood plates, Aquamar is borrowing from horror, entertainment, and challenger-brand culture to compete for attention, and ultimately occasions, against the much larger protein establishment.

Chickensanity brings to life the “Big Fish Energy” attitude introduced as part of Aquamar’s 2026 brand refresh, which included a new logo, vibrant packaging, expanded portfolio and “fuss-free seafood” positioning.

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Kidfresh was created to help parents win more mealtimes without trading nutrition for convenience. The single-serve entrées deliver more than 9 grams of protein per serving, contain no artificial ingredients or preservatives, and boast vegetables children won’t notice — from Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese and Spaghetti Loops with Meat Sauce to Cheese Pizza Wagon Wheels and more.

“Parents are actively looking for mealtime solutions that don’t force a trade-off between convenience and nutrition,” said Michael Allen, chief executive officer of New York-based Kidfresh. “It’s exciting to see the category resonating with families here. To grow from our initial launch to more than 300 stores in just two years is incredibly exciting, and we’re just getting started.”

The full Kidfresh lineup is made and packaged in Canada, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to bringing better-for-you options for youngsters to grocery store frozen aisles.

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Now launching into more than 1,000 Iceland supermarkets and Food Warehouse outlets across Britain, the range includes: All Day Breakfast Yorkshire Pudding, Sausage & Mash Filled Yorkshire, Pulled Beef & Cheese Filled Yorkshire Pudding, Chicken Roast Dinner Filled Yorkshire Pudding, Little Pigs in Yorkies, Carvery Pigs in Blankets Mac & Cheese, Loaded Carvery Mac & Cheese, Roast Potato Topped Cottage Pie, Mini Steak & Gravy Pies, and Mini Battered Pigs in Blankets.

“For generations, Toby Carvery has been bringing families and friends together over a great roast, so we’re incredibly excited to bring that same much-loved experience into people’s homes in a completely new way,” said Eleanor Leacroft, head of brand marketing at Birmingham, England-headquartered Toby Carvery. “Working with Food Brands Now and Iceland has allowed us to create a range that’s unmistakably Toby Carvery – from our iconic Yorkshire puddings to the comforting flavors our guests know and love – while also introducing some fun new twists for the frozen aisle.”

Oliver Gilding, sales and licensing director at Swindon-based Food Brands Now, remarked: “Toby Carvery is one of the UK’s most recognizable and trusted restaurant brands, with genuine authority within the roast dinner category. The fact that this represents the brand’s first-ever licensing program made it an incredibly exciting opportunity for everyone involved. Our ambition was to create a range that remained authentic to Toby Carvery whilst bringing genuine innovation and fun to the frozen aisle that celebrates Britain’s love of the roast.”

The new product rollouts are priced at £4.75 per pack or two for £8.50.

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Together, the two launches will broaden the Northallerton, North Yorkshire, England-headquartered company’s presence in the UK frozen food sector, with the move into ready meals opening a significant new growth opportunity for the brand beyond its core sausage offering.

According to Circana figures, Richmond is the number one sausage chilled and frozen frozen sausage maker in Britain, generating more than £149 million in retail value sales and reaching more than 5.6 million buyers during the 52-week period ending on July 11, 2026.

The brand’s six new frozen ready meals are: Sausage & Mash, Toad in the Hole, Sausage Pasta Bake, Cottage Pie, Sausage Casserole and Sausage Mac & Cheese. They are set to roll out in Iceland, Sainsbury’s, Farmfoods and Morrisons in September and October.

The non-HFSS range has been developed to bring home cooked-style dishes to the freezer, combining classic comfort foods and family favorites with the convenience of a ready-prepared meal. The products were developed and tested with consumers to ensure they met expectations on taste and quality.

The launch responds to growing demand for convenient meal solutions, particularly among older shoppers. British meals already account for 25% of the frozen ready meals category, creating an opportunity for Richmond to bring a well-known brand into the category.

Frozen Sausage Range Extension
Alongside its entry into frozen ready meals, Richmond has expanded its frozen sausage range with three additional offerings including Cumberland Pork Sausages, Dinky Caramelized Onion Sausages and Pigs in Blankets.

The new products are designed to bring greater variety and occasion-led choice to frozen sausage, where around 73% of SKUs are currently Plain Pork or Irish, compared with around 29% in chilled. Nearly half (46%) of frozen sausage shoppers also buy chilled flavored sausages, suggesting an appetite for a broader range of flavors within the frozen sector.

Richmond Cumberland Pork Sausages bring a familiar flavor option to everyday family meals, while Dinky Caramelized Onion Sausages combine a sweeter flavor with a bite-sized format suited to sharing, entertaining and informal gatherings.

Pigs in Blankets extends the brand into frozen party food, offering a convenient format for festive occasions, celebrations and sharing.

Richmond Cumberland Pork Sausages will be available in Sainsbury’s and Iceland, and Dinky Caramelized Onion Sausages will debut in Iceland, while Pigs in Blankets will be exclusive to Iceland.

“As the market leader and the nation’s favorite sausage brand, we’re focused on providing our consumers with high-quality, tasty products that they can depend on to meet their evolving needs,” said Lauren Pizey, head of brand for Richmond products at Pilgrim’s Europe. “Our new frozen meals bring the comfort and quality of home-cooked British favorites into a convenient, no-fuss format.”

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“Asian food is a major and very well-established part of the UK food market, with cuisines including Indian, Chinese, Korean, Thai all popular with large numbers of retail shoppers and foodservice customers,” said Rupert Ashby, chief executive of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF). “There is also strong growth in other Southeast Asian and Japanese options.”

JK Foods UK, a Nottingham, England-based importer, wholesaler and distributor of Pan-Asian frozen and non-frozen food products sourced from suppliers across the Orient and Indian subcontinent, has been serving retail and foodservice customers throughout Britain and further afield for more than 50 years. Its extensive assortment of more than 900 SKUs runs the gamut from Tiger Tiger brand Duck & Hoisin Sauce Gyoza (pictured above) and Desi-style Masala Raj Samosas to Dine-In Pan-Asian Tapas and Chicken with Kimchi Bao Buns.

Mark Johal, founder and chief executive officer of the company, still travels the world, dealing personally with food producers and discussing innovative new product ideas.

Market Expansion
According to Mintel, traditional British ready meals face volume declines, whereas international cuisine options including Asian dishes drive retail growth through convenient frozen and chilled formats.

“The opportunity for frozen food is significant, as consumers increasingly use the freezer to explore different global flavors, and enjoy restaurant-style food at home,” said Ashby.

As noodles, frozen and kids’ meals attract new product development, an increasing number of launches aim to bring the restaurant experience and world flavors into people’s homes. Furthermore, a greater focus on health has resulted in an increase in pulse and vegetable-led formats to target specific consumer needs, according Mintel’s 2026 UK Attitudes Towards World Cuisines Report.

“Authentic but healthy products, ones that facilitate tailoring of spiciness and positioning towards breakfast and social occasions will win favor,” commented Amy Bishop, a UK Food & Drink Reports analyst at Mintel.

International flavors are increasingly popular with consumers looking for authentic and affordable eating experiences, making frozen ready meals in this segment a top choice.

Lumina data shows that trusted and recognizable brands are in favor, with trending food choices featuring cuisines such as Punjab, Korean and Chinese adding a point of difference to meal options in freezers and encouraging greater spend. It’s the 25-to-34-year-old demographic which typically drives growth as its members are experimental in their food choices and may have slightly more disposable income.

“Chinese and Indian remain the two most popular Asian cuisines,” said Ashby.  “YouGov research in 2025 found that 45% of Britons had eaten Chinese food at a restaurant, takeaway or from a delivery service in the previous three months, compared with 39% for Indian food.”

Japanese, Thai and Korean food are also becoming more mainstream. The popularity of Korean cuisine in particular has benefitted from the influence of K-pop, social media and Korean television. Meanwhile, Japanese dishes like katsu, gyoza and ramen are becoming more familiar to British consumers.

“The most popular products tend to combine familiar formats with Asian flavors, including curries, chow mein, katsu, teriyaki chicken and noodles,” said Ashby. “Gyoza and bao buns are also seeing growing demand.”

Recent Trends
Convenience remains a key driver of sales in the frozen ready meal segment, with consumers looking for restaurant-standard global flavors that can be enjoyed at home at a fraction of the cost of traditional takeaways. There is also growing interest in healthier Asian-inspired meals, in addition to products that offer truly authentic flavors.

“Korean, Japanese, Malaysian and Vietnamese cuisines are benefiting from this appetite for discovery,” said Ashby. “Street-food inspired formats such as bao buns, gyoza and Korean fried chicken are driving the popularity of Asian foods for sharing and snacking.”

Rising popularity has resulted in new product development, combining other world flavors, creating Pan Asian cuisine. From Korean BBQ tacos to classic burgers elevated with Gochujang mayo, or Mediterranean flatbreads topped with Asian marinades – the amalgamation of flavors is notable. In fact, according to Mintel’s 2025 UK Attitudes Towards World Cuisines Consumer Report, 32% of consumers are more excited by emerging cuisines, with novelty and discovery key purchase drivers.

New Products
Frozen food producers have accelerated new product development in the Asian cuisine sector, with a focus on health and nutrition. For example, Birds Eye has expanded its Steamfresh range with Korean Style Noodles, Malaysian Laksa Style Noodles and Asian Rice, designed to provide a convenient, vegetable-rich and high-protein options.

In addition to meeting consumer demand for convenience, these products also tap into key purchase drivers, such as health and interest in world cuisines. The meal include at least one portion of the recommended five servings of fruit and vegetables per day and are also classified as non HFSS. Furthermore, the microwave steaming technology used preserves nutrients while delivering consistent results.

Steamfresh Korean Style Noodles and Asian Rice can be found in Tesco freezer aisles, while gochujang and Mexican Rice can be purchased at ASDA, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Iceland stores.

The British Frozen Food Federation’s 2026 Frozen Food Awards highlighted a number of examples of NPD in this area. Tesco’s Laksa Coconut Snow Baos with Curried Vegetables and Simply Food Solutions’ Sticky Gochujang Korean Style Chicken both received recognition, showing the growing influence of Southeast Asian and Korean flavors.

Aldi has also developed products in the segment, with its Oriental Noodle Meals that can be cooked from frozen. These offerings feature a mix of noodle nests, chicken and vegetables in an Oriental-style sauce, priced at £2.69. The discount grocery chain has also added Asian flavors into its Protein range of frozen ready meals, tapping into the trends for health and global cuisines. Dishes include Chilli Chicken Miso Ramen, Chicken Katsu Curry and rice, offering 33 grams of protein, and Teriyaki Noodles Protein Pot, with 32 grams of protein. All products in this range cost £1.75.

“There’s an exciting breadth of Asian flavors now reaching the mainstream,” said Ashby. “Consumers are becoming more adventurous, and frozen food gives them an easy, affordable way to explore new cuisines at home.”

Asian-inspired frozen ready meals are clearly moving from occasional backup options to everyday staples, driven by consumers’ appetites for authentic flavors, healthier choices and convenient formats that still feel restaurant-quality. With retailers doubling down on innovation, brands elevating familiar dishes with Korean, Japanese and Southeast Asian influences, and younger shoppers pushing for novelty and discovery, the category is evolving fast. As global flavors become embedded in UK eating habits, frozen Asian meals are perfectly placed to deliver the balance consumers want: bold taste, trusted nutrition, and effortless convenience.

– Reported by Sarah Welsh

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• Reported Revenue decreased 3.1% to €724 million; Organic revenue fell 2.9% with a volume decline of 5.9% and a positive price-mix contribution of 3.0%

• Gross margin increased 130 bps; Adjusted gross margin rose 110 bps

• Profit for the period decreased 15% to €49 million[ Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4.3% to €124 million

• Reported Diluted EPS decreased 5.0% to €0.35; Adjusted EPS decreased 2.5% to €0.39

“The second quarter marked an important step forward for Nomad Foods,” said Dominic Brisby, chief executive officer of the Woking, England-headquartered company . “We secured our price increase, expanded gross margins, restored momentum with key retail partners, and continued to strengthen our organization. Our iconic brands participate in attractive and growing categories, and we are increasing our focus on innovation, renovation, and commercial excellence to better capture that opportunity. While there is more work to do, I am encouraged by the progress we are making and excited about the significant value creation opportunities ahead as we unlock the full value of our brands, supply chain, and pan-European platform. I remain confident in our ability to drive improved performance and create meaningful shareholder value.”

Noam Gottesman, co-chairman and founder of Nomad Foods, added: “The board is encouraged by the progress made during the quarter as the company continues to strengthen its foundation and advance strategic priorities. We are particularly pleased with the actions taken to enhance the leadership team, improve operational efficiency, and restore momentum with key customers.”

Second Quarter 2026 Results Compared to Q2 2025
• Revenue decreased 3.1% to €724 million. Organic revenue fell by 2.9% and was driven by a volume decline of 5.9% partly offset with an improvement in price-mix of 3.0%.

• Adjusted gross profit edged up 0.7% to €209 million. Adjusted gross margin increased 110 basis points to 28.9% due to positive price contribution and continued supply chain productivity.

• Adjusted operating expenses increased 7.8% to €111 million due to the rebuild of the company’s employee performance incentive scheme.

• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4.3% to €124 million due to the aforementioned factors and Adjusted Profit for the period declined 9% to €55 million.

• Adjusted EPS decreased €0.01 to €0.39 with the decrease in Adjusted Profit for the period offset in part by fewer shares outstanding. Reported Diluted EPS decreased €0.02 to €0.35.

First Six Months of 2026 results Compared to the First Half of 2025
• Revenue decreased 4.5% to €1,439 million. Organic revenue fell by 4.1% and was driven by a volume decline of 5.1% and an improvement in price/mix of 1.0%.

• Adjusted gross profit declined 6.3% to €393 million. Adjusted gross margin decreased 50 basis points to 27.3%, due to supply chain inflation headwinds, partially offset by pricing and supply chain productivity.

• Adjusted operating expenses advanced 3.6% to €227 million due to the rebuild of the company’s employee performance incentive scheme partly offset with a reduction in advertising and promotion expenses.

• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 13.3% to €216 million due to the aforementioned factors. Adjusted Profit for the period declined 23.2% to €88 million.

• Adjusted EPS decreased by €0.12 to €0.62 reflecting the decrease in Adjusted Profit for the period and fewer shares outstanding. Reported Diluted EPS decreased €0.03 to €0.55.

2026 Guidance
In line with previous guidance, for the full year the company continues to expect organic revenue to decline by 2%-5% and Adjusted EBITDA to decline by 5%-10%. Adjusted EPS is now expected to be €1.38-€1.53, versus prior guidance of €1.47-€1.62, due to higher interest expense associated with Nomad Foods’ recently completed refinancing activity and higher variable interest rates. Based on USD/EUR exchange rate as of August 6, 2026, this translates into 2026 Adjusted EPS of $1.59-$1.76. The company also continues to expect full year Adjusted Free Cash Flow conversion of 90% or greater.

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Offering 16 grams of protein per serving of two 60g patties, the fully cooked frozen sliders feature beef and cheese between vibrantly colored buns. They contain no seed oils and are distributed in 298g five-packs designed for quick preparation straight from the freezer. Priced at $9.99, each box contains a collectible Sugar Factory rubber duck, with rare editions featuring world heavy weight boxing champion, actor and entrepreneur Mike Tyson.

The launch reflects continued momentum around restaurant brands moving into grocery stores, as well as increasing emphasis on visual merchandising and novelty-driven products to stand out in retail freezer aisles. The sliders are positioned as both a convenience item and a branded extension aimed at capturing consumer attention at shelf.

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“Chunky has always stood for bold flavor and real satisfaction in a soup that eats like a meal. With Chunky Frozen Bowls, we’re bringing that same fill-you-up promise to the freezer aisle, delivering 20 to 28 grams of protein in hearty, craveable varieties. As more consumers turn to frozen for everyday meals, we saw an opportunity to raise the bar by offering convenient, satisfying meals that actually fill you up,” said Gunner Siverly, the Camden, New Jersey-headquartered company’s frozen brand manager for Chunky products.

Priced at $5.49 each, eight flavors make up the range:

• Chili Mac – Beef, pork, pasta and beans in a chili tomato sauce.

• Beefy Pasta & Stroganoff Sauce – pasta with beef and mushrooms in a creamy sauce.

• Chicken & Mashed Potatoes – crispy chicken over mashed potatoes and gravy with corn.

• Buffalo-Style Chicken Mac & Cheese – crispy chicken and pasta in a buffalo cheese sauce.

• Bacon Cheeseburger Mac & Cheese Bowl – beef pork, jalapeños, bacon and pasta in cheese sauce.

• Meat Lovers’ Lasagna Bowl – pasta, beef and pork with ricotta and mozzarella in marinara sauce.

• Cheesy Loaded Potato – potatoes, steak and bacon in a cheese sauce.

• Philly Cheesesteak Mac & Cheese – beef, elbow macaroni, and green peppers in a cheese sauce.

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Burke Raine will assume the role of executive vice president and chief growth officer where he will oversee foodservice, international and R&D efforts in addition to leading growth initiatives across the organization. Tom McGough, executive vice president and chief operating officer, will retire effective September 4 of this year, after nearly two decades of service. Upon his departure, the COO role will be eliminated.

“Being close to our customers and the consumer is vital as we simplify Conagra and position the company for profitable growth,” said Brase. “Noelle, Jill, and Burke are outstanding leaders and the opportunity to work directly with them will enable us to improve efficiency as we execute our strategy.”

He continued, “On behalf of the board and all of us at Conagra, I want to thank Tom for his many contributions over nearly two decades. He has been particularly helpful to me as I immerse myself in the business and I look forward to benefiting from his expertise until he begins his well-deserved retirement in the fall.”

Serving both retail and foodservice markets, Conagra is one of North America’s leading diversified food companies. Among its household name frozen product brands are Birds Eye, Healthy Choice, Marie Callender’s, Banquet and gardein. The company generated fiscal 2026 net sales of over $11 billion.

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