If you’re like most operators, you’ve reduced your menu to better cope with increased food costs, supply chain disruptions, and labor shortages. Adding in unique limited-time offers (LTOs) can help infuse life into pared-down menus. These specials not only create a buzz, but they also provide an opportunity to stimulate traffic and sales.
Over half (54%) of restaurant operators say that LTOs are a central part of their business1, and many (43%) launch an LTO anywhere from every month to every three months.2 Look for ways to improve LTO visibility while boosting profitability with these four tips. Click here to read the full article. 

When the weather gets colder, food gets hotter. There’s a whole world of hot, spicy dishes—but some of them are just starting to get attention on U.S. menus.
 
Today’s diners have an appetite for international cuisine and heat. Datassential found that one-third of consumers want to try new global foods, and 42 percent seek out spice. Restaurants can vary their winter menus by experimenting with emerging global stars that bring the heat. Click here to read the full article. 

Pickles have been around for thousands of years, yet they appear to be as popular as ever. Whether as a side or as a burger topping, pickles have become a true staple at restaurants, especially in 2022.
In fact, 43.9% of restaurant menus mentioned pickled ingredients in the second quarter of this year, according to Technomic data. That represents a rise in popularity for pickles during the last couple years. Click here to read the full article. 

Nothing says summer like ice cream! You're sure to find the perfect summer treat to serve. Find novelty treats, new flavors, cones and more! Click here to view the guide.

Why should operators care about mastering limited-time offers (LTOs)?

• ½ of consumers ordered an LTO in the past two weeks
• After consumers experience an enjoyable LTO
  • 82% will return to order it again
  • 75% will tell other people about it
  • 65% will return to order something else
• LTOs drove restaurant visits for more than 50% of consumers in the past month

Use this e-book from Simplot for tips on creating the next great LTO for your operation.

Learn how to profit from the strong demand for ethnic cuisines. Millennials and Boomers seek out exciting new and different global flavors. Discover why promoting these foods is smart business.
When was the last time you thought of Italian food as ethnic? Blinked twice to see potstickers on the menu at a casual theme restaurant? Exactly: Ethnic food is a mainstream phenomenon.
According to the Emerging Global Cuisines: Culinary Trend Mapping Report, released by the Center for Culinary Development and Packaged Facts: “Emerging global cuisines are literally opening up a whole new world of culinary experiences to American consumers of all ages, due to the nearly infinite range of ingredients, forms, and flavors they offer.” The report goes on to cite the fact that well-traveled Baby Boomers and adventurous Millennials alike are drawn to the emerging flavors and specialties of such countries as Peru, Morocco, Korea, and Japan.

Pick up any menu these days, and you’re sure to find global flavors in abundance. Simply put, borders no longer exist when it comes to taste. And as operators look to attract new diners, they’re turning to these worldly inspired cuisines to capitalize on the demand. So, what’s driving this desire for diversity? Here are a few reasons for the continuing trend:

• Younger diners, who were likely introduced to worldly flavors at a younger age, tend to have more adventurous palates.
• With travel curtailed during the pandemic, there is pent-up demand for new and diverse experiences.
• The easier access to a wider range of foods has broadened the tastes of consumers.
• The general population is becoming more diverse1. The growth of people entering the country has surpassed the number of people born here. And Generation Alpha, or those born after 2010, is the most racially diverse generation in our country’s history. Culinary preferences, therefore, are shifting to mirror this change.

According to Datassential, tots menu growth is predicted to outperform all food and beverage over the next 4 years! Arm your operators with this incredible growth opportunity with Basic American Foods Potato Tot Mix.

Perfect for any day or menu! Your customers will profit by using Basic American Foods Tot Mix for sandwich toppers, appetizers, sides, breakfast potato cakes and more. Click here for recipe ideas! ​

The morning meal is in the spotlight as school nutrition programs across the country celebrate National School Breakfast Week, held March 7-11.

In honor of the week, Chartwells K12 Vice President of Culinary Peter Gilhooly spoke with FSD about the special dishes that will appear on Chartwells K12 menus as well as what’s trending in school breakfast. Click here to read the full article from Foodservice Director.

A study by the World Resources Institute has found that simple changes to the language of restaurant menus can help consumers make the change from animal- to plant-based proteins, according to a blog post that explains the research.

Ventura Foods shared five foodservice tends to watch for 2022! Click here to view the trends. 

Heinz Soups are frozen at the peak of freshness, preserving flavor integrity and nutrition ingredients. Heinz soups present menu solutions that specifically meet the demands of the foodservice kitchen and consumers. With a vast range of classic and on-trend varieties, our portfolio makes it possible to serve up a quality culinary experience in every bowl. With Heinz ​frozen soups, you have more time to focus on presentation and customization. Ingredients are frozen at the peak of freshness. These frozen soups also deliver significant quality benefits over both scratch-prepared and refrigerated soups. 

Click the links below for more information on Heinz Soups:
​A Soup for Every Occasion That Satisfies Every Taste
​The Fresh Advantage of Frozen 

Source: www.kraftheinz-foodservice.com/resources

Make your establishment the place to be this summer! View IFD's Ice Cream Guide and pick out your favorite Kemps flavors. Click here to view the guide.