6 Menu Must-Haves + The Power of Pizza and Pasta

August 17ᵗʰ, 2022
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The needs of today’s menus have changed for many reasons. That means it’s more crucial than ever to find hardworking, low-labor product and ingredient solutions that can be used across your menu. The recipes and insights listed here will help you reduce inventory, increase profit margins and ease back-of-house labor.

Biscuit sandwich with guacamole, bacon, eggs and salsa on a parchment paper

1. Breakfast Sandwiches

Huevos Rancheros Breakfast Sandwiches »

These crowd-pleasers are extremely versatile, and as consumers continue to enjoy breakfast items throughout the day, they make perfect sense for most menus.

45%

of consumers ranked breakfast sandwiches as one of their favorite breakfast items.¹

Waffle-biscuit burgers with melty cheese, chimichurri sauce and chips on the side.

2. Burgers (with alternate protein choices)

Chorizo Chimichurri Waffle Burgers »

There’s nothing like a classic, customizable burger — and having different protein options such as turkey patties or plant-based choices allows you to appeal to more patrons.

79%

of consumers eat burgers away from home at least once a month.²

Pigs in a blanket wrapped with biscuits on a granite counter with chili dipping sauce on the side.

3. Shareable Apps and Sides

Italian Pigs in a Blanket with Calabrian Chili Dipping Sauce »

With safety concerns over sharing food on the decline, diners are ready to pass the plate and try new dishes.

21%

of consumers plan to order more appetizers to share with a group in the wake of the pandemic.³

Salad in a white bowl with greens, apples, cranberries and cornbread croutons sitting next to a napkin with dressing

4. Super Salads

Cornbread Salad with Apple Butter Vinaigrette »

Salads offer many benefits to operators: they use lots of ingredients often already on hand, and they’re seasonal and customizable. Plus, since they can be made with local ingredients, they deliver on the trend of farm-to-table eating.

96%

of consumers say they feel locally-grown and produced food is the freshest, healthiest and most nutritious food available.⁴

Tofu, cheese, tomato and sprouts biscuit sandwich topped with pepper and salt

5. Plant-Based Choices

Tofu Breakfast Sandwiches »

Whether in salads or sandwiches, diners continue to look for and expect plant-forward options on menus.

Plant-based foods in the U.S. are a $7 billion market.⁵

Fettuccini pasta on a white plate with chicken and peppers

6. Pizza and Pasta

Gluten-Free Grilled Chicken Peanut Noodle Salad »

These items deliver on all kinds of consumer demands ranging from comfort classics to customizable choices.

83%

of consumers say they eat pizza at least monthly.⁶

The Power of Pizza and Pasta

To say these categories are popular would be an understatement. A recent survey found 86% of participants eat pasta at least once a week,⁷ and pizza can be found on nearly a third of all entrée menus in the U.S.⁸ Aside from being very well liked, they’re also easily adapted to meet all kinds of dietary needs and consumer preferences. Take a look at how pasta and pizza can help you deliver on these three popular dining trends.

A grouping of recipes including a brunch pizza topped with an egg, a biscuit sandwich with pulled pork and macaroni and cheese, and a chickpea salad

¹QSR Magazine, Sept., 2021
²Datassential Keynote Report: Burgers, 2021
³2021 Starters, Small Plates & Sides Consumer Trend Report
⁴Forager Survey, Oct., 2020
⁵Good Food Institute, 2021
⁶Foodservice Director, March 2022
⁷National Pasta Association, 2022
⁸Pizza Trends, May NAF CMI Monthly Trends

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