Once associated with direct-to-consumer subscription services and supermarket specialty cases, meal kits have become a valuable source of revenue for restaurants and other foodservice establishments.
Healthier Dining Habits Drive Menu Innovation
July 12, 2021Health has never been more important. The world is talking about coronavirus, how to prevent it, how to treat it, and the lifestyle diseases that worsen its effects. These conversations have reignited the need for healthful eating because it is one of the most important ways to improve our overall health and well-being.
Choosing the Perfect Steak Cut
June 29, 2021Technically there is no “red meat season”, but if I had to pull one out of thin air, the kickoff would be July. If you choose wisely, season well and use proper cooking techniques, you will be hitting menu home runs all day long.
Easy DIY Digital Menu Boards for Restaurants & Foodservice
May 27, 2021There are many methods, services, and devices you could use to create digital menu boards, just be sure you try this low-cost do-it-yourself solution first.
How to Satisfy Consumers’ Takeout and Delivery Expectations… with Chicken
May 3, 2021The foodservice pivot from dine-in to takeout and delivery over the past year created unforeseen realities that will change the industry long into the future—for the better.
12 Waste-Cutting Ideas to Control Costs
April 20, 2021Although it’s unclear how much food is wasted in the foodservice industry, a University of Arizona study found that food waste as a percentage of total food used is 9.55% in fast food locations and 3.11% in full-service locations. Every bit of waste avoided is profit to a restaurant’s bottom line.
Takeout and Delivery are More Important Than Ever for Foodservice
March 9, 2021The foodservice industry is in a state of rapid flux. Beginning in 2015, Americans began spending more money at restaurants than they did in grocery stores. Then the pandemic hit and the way those dollars were being spent changed. Now, for many operators, takeout and delivery stand to become even more important. Other trends that will likely accelerate include mobile ordering, mobile pay, and third-party delivery.
7 Dining Trends That Will Matter in 2021
January 28, 2021Few would dispute that 2020 has been a hellacious year for the foodservice industry. While promises of a vaccine offer hope things will turn around, there’s still a long road to recovery…
6 Trends that Reimagine Restaurant Experiences in 2021 and Beyond
January 28, 2021The global public health crisis has dealt the hospitality industry one of its greatest challenges yet. What does it mean for the future of restaurants? Has the restaurant experience we know so well disappeared forever?
Restaurant Menu Strategies for 2021
December 7, 2020As we move forward in the “new normal” menu strategies new and old will converge into the right mix of price points, value, menu items, and differentiation that will appeal to consumers.
5 Restaurant Menu Analysis Tips to Increase Your Restaurant’s Profitability
August 11, 2020A menu is something that says a lot about your restaurant and its specialization, and also plays a significant role in your restaurant’s profitability. Hence, doing a comprehensive restaurant menu analysis is crucial for your restaurant’s success.
Chef’s Pantry: Aji Amarillo
July 7, 2020There’s a big world of flavors out there. Among them is the Peruvian yellow pepper known as the Aji Amarillo.
Chef’s Pantry: Shallots
July 2, 2020In this post you’ll find two delicious approaches for an upscale onion. Pickled shallots are an easy way to give your menu an adventurous look and roasted shallots are a great way to add rich robust quick-fire flavors.
Special Episode – Making the Most of Downtime
April 1, 2020Podcast host Luke LaBree, and 4 other foodservice professionals share ideas and advice to help restaurant owners and operators make the most of their unexpected downtime.
Healthy School Menus, Front and Center
February 17, 2020In a world that showers children with pizza and macaroni and cheese, one thing parents and K–12 school foodservice operators can agree on is the need for better school lunches—meals that are more nutritious and made with cleaner ingredients that are free of artificial flavors, colors and preservatives.
Modern Menu Strategy, in One Word: Focus
December 5, 2019To maximize profitability in a highly competitive marketplace patronized by highly diverse customers, operators should regularly evaluate their menus, item by item, to ensure every offering is still worthy of its place on the menu…
How Menu Design Can Increase Sales and Customer Loyalty
July 3, 2019Think of the menu as a visual representation of your brand. It introduces guests to your offerings and should reflect the overall philosophy and values of your establishment. The psychology of menu design should not be underestimated—in fact, a well-designed menu can consistently increase profits by as much as $1,000 per month, per million dollars in annual revenue…
Foodservice & The Street Food Influence
June 26, 2019Humans have had street food since the dawn of civilization. The ancient Greeks sold fried fish, while the Aztecs peddled tamales. Iconic American street snacks include pizza, hot dogs and funnel cake. Recently, the street food game has become more elevated and restaurants are cashing in on this age-old dining trend…
The 4 Best Ways for Restaurants to Draw in Traffic
March 18, 2019Increasing competition and customer expectations for consistent, quality service at restaurants makes getting people in the door more difficult than ever in today’s market. Competition created by new establishments and constant scrutiny via social media have raised the bar for service standards. Modern restaurateurs must react faster in order to succeed…
Foodservice Trends to Watch in 2019
January 2, 2019It seems that every shift to the restaurant landscape brings with it a list of questions: What is the next hot flavor trend to watch? Which segment truly owns convenience? What is today’s definition of health? What type of technology is up and coming next?
Turn Your Bar into a Star with Global Flavors on Your Fried Foods Menu
December 5, 2018With discretionary incomes rising, consumers are finding more and more ways to spend their dining dollars. Now is the perfect time to take advantage of a number of emerging global flavor and cuisine trends for 2019.
Save the Vegetable Scraps
December 4, 2018Most of us look at carrot ends/peelings, celery pieces, onion tops or the first slice of a tomato as a scrap suitable for the garbage. I however, call them the building blocks of flavor, and when treated properly and managed effectively can save you money.
Reinvent Your Restaurant’s Thanksgiving Leftovers
November 28, 2018Some of the best ingredients for inventive dishes come from the Thanksgiving table. Show your customers that you’re a culinary force during the holidays by highlighting Thanksgiving leftovers.
Spread Some Holiday “Cheers” with Special Food and Beer Pairings
November 25, 2018The craft beer selection can be a major draw for customers at casual dining operations. In fact, in just 4 years craft beer has grown 16% on menus compared to domestic and imported beers that are declining. But beer isn’t all guests are looking for. Seventy-one percent want complementary foods that go with those beers.
Introduction to “Waste not, want not.”
November 21, 2018The reduction of food-waste is a trend that has extended beyond homes and into foodservice, driven by the same consumers calling for local, organic, farm-to-table and eco-friendly offerings. The common thread is a desire for sustainability. By focusing on your food use, specifically what you may not be using, we can improve the profitability and the sustainability of your menu.