Glendale Foods, awarded third place in the frozen foods category of The Grocer Branded Suppliers Survey, one of few smaller brands to be recognised, has launched a premium version of its home takeaway snacks range, under the name Glendale Classics. With an RRP of �1.59 and presented in distinctive, upscale packaging, the range offers flavours and portion sizes that are close to a takeaway experience, with the added convenience of being frozen for freshness and microwaveable in just 3-5 minutes. Varieties Doner Kebab, Chicken Tikka & Doner Kebab, Chicken Tikka and 100% Scotch Beef Cheeseburger reflect established fast food favourites and proven Glendale volume sellers.

Frozen food has been much in the news of late, industry figures indicating that sales have jumped 4.2% to �4.7 billion, the national press reporting that cash-conscious homeowners are seeking out frozen food to cut grocery bills, and warnings about food wastage highlighting the benefits of selecting from the freezer cabinet. Unlike chilled foods, which are often subsequently frozen in ordinary domestic freezers, when approaching the �use by� date, commercial brands like Glendale Classics are quick frozen within seconds in nitrogen tunnels, retaining all their nutritional goodness, flavour and freshness.

Furthermore, Glendale�s standing in the frozen foods sector was confirmed recently, when placing third in The Grocer survey, which recognises the best suppliers across the industry, voted for by supermarkets, wholesalers and independent buying groups on factors like category management, NPD and reliability.

Glendale Classics is a new product development that the company believes will lure aspirational consumers away from the chiller, back to the freezer cabinet. By setting the recommended retail price at �1.59, sixty per cent above the typical 99p price point, it is able to invest in prime ingredients and a bigger fill, with retailers additionally benefiting from improved margins and more appealing frozen product.

�The credit crunch and rising food and fuel bills mean that a lot of customers are coming back to frozen foods,� says Glendale Foods MD, Paul Burkitt. �We have definitely seen a resurgence in retail sales in recent months and are currently reporting record monthly figures. Glendale Foods, alongside other frozen food producers, is also ploughing investment into product development, to attract shoppers to the freezer aisle, and we believe that Glendale Classics is the equal to anything similar in the chiller cabinet, as regards taste, value and freshness.�

For the Classics range, Glendale�s development kitchen has created an improved naan bread wrap for the kebab varieties, with a softer, mouth-filling texture and no hard edges after reheating, which replaces the previous pitta bread for a bigger eat. Chicken Tikka & Doner Kebab (245g) unusually combines two confirmed takeaway favourites in an appetising, spicy mix, complete with shredded cabbage, onion and chilli sauce; while Glendale is the acknowledged master of Doner Kebab (250g) and Chicken Tikka (215g) frozen snack food.

Glendale Classics Cheeseburger sees the introduction of prime 100% Scotch Beef in a generous 200g (7oz) serving, with mature Cheddar cheese topping and a soft-textured sesame seeded bun that�s been especially baked for microwave reheating. Hot from the oven, it offers a taste that rivals high street halfpounders, yet the handiness of grabbing from the freezer and slamming in the microwave, in a clear, heatproof sachet.

The Glendale Classics range is now available from frozen food wholesalers, cash & carry outlets or, for volume orders, direct from Glendale Foods at Cobden Street, Pendleton, Salford, M6 6LX, telephone 0161 743 4100, email info@glendalefoods.com

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Press Contact: David Gent 01706 220388 david@davidgent.com