Snacks and desserts from churros to elote, empanadas and shaved ice reflect opportunities for innovation.
Global Street Foods Offer Portable Culinary Experiences
Topics: Family Restaurant, Global, Quick Service Restaurant, Casual Dining Restaurant, Fine Dining, Food Trucks, Dessert, Snack, NILLA Wafers, OREO, RITZ
Asian Flavors & Formats Feed Dessert Inspiration
U.S. restaurants incorporating flavors found in cuisine served in Southeast Asia is predicted to be one of the top 10 menu trends this year.1 A number of stateside chefs have already begun including elements from the region in desserts, according to Melissa Abbott, vice president at the Hartman Group food and beverage research agency—which might benefit patrons who are looking for somewhat lighter options.
Topics: Millennials, Global, Custards/Cheesecakes, Beverages, Ice Cream Desserts, Dessert, Gen Z, OREO, Dessert Ingredients, Creative Inspiration, Recipes, Culinary, Flavor Profiles
Food plays an integral role in a number of fall and winter celebrations—Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa are the top holidays consumers associate with special dishes, flavors and eating occasions.1
Topics: Promotions, Marketing & Communications, Takeout, Meal Kits, Dessert, Holidays, Seasonal, NILLA Wafers, NABISCO GRAHAMS, Customer Experience, Menu Strategy, Limited Time Offers (LTOs)
Beverages that include OREO cookies and cheesecake, cotton candy and other indulgent ingredients have played a dual role on menus in recent years, often serving as both drink and dessert options.
Topics: Snacking, Pies/Tarts, Beverage, Custards/Cheesecakes, Donuts/Pancakes/Waffles, Cookies/Bars/Snacks, Beverages, Ice Cream Desserts, Cakes/Cupcakes, Dessert, Chocolate, CHIPS AHOY!, OREO, Cocktails, Cookies, Dessert Ingredients, Creative Inspiration, Recipes, Brownies, Culinary, Branded Ingredients, Mashups, Flavor Profiles, Consumer Behavior, Indulgence, Foodservice, Sweet, Shakes/Smoothies/Frozen Beverages, Coffee
In fall, as the weather begins to cool, consumers’ appetite for desserts that include warm, toasty flavors starts to heat up.
Restaurants may find customers are seeking sweets such as pies and souffles, featuring autumnal ingredients like cinnamon, ginger, nuts and apples, according to Clarice Lam, Mondelēz Foodservice brand ambassador, contributor to Epicurious and Spruce Eats, and founder of The Baking Bean, a Brooklyn direct-to-consumer bakery specializing in all-natural seasonal sweets.
“Consumers want warm and cozy dishes for the fall—flavors that remind them of the holidays and family,” Lam said in an interview with marketing agency The Food Group.
In fact, more than half (53%) of consumers say they’re interested in seasonally influenced desserts.1
The ingredients, trendiness and other aspects, though, can affect how new menu items are received. To ensure any fall desserts you introduce are a sales success, consider weaving in some of the following features.
Topics: Promotions, Pies/Tarts, Custards/Cheesecakes, Beverages, Ice Cream Desserts, Dessert, Holidays, Seasonal, OREO, SOUR PATCH KIDS, Dessert Ingredients, Creative Inspiration, Branded Ingredients, Flavor Profiles, Limited Time Offers (LTOs), Nostalgia, Foodservice, Shakes/Smoothies/Frozen Beverages, Comfort