Dining Trends to Watch this Winter

Capitalize on Seasonal Flavors & LTOs

Let’s talk about what your customers crave and how to meet their expectations.  It’s about understanding what they like about the trends and bringing them to life on your menu.

While 57% of consumers associate winter with special menus, and Christmas remains a popular holiday for consumers engaging with LTOs, the interest in special menus surrounding the Super Bowl has increased significantly— especially among Millennials and Gen Z.

If you’re looking to spice up your game day wing menu, we suggest finding a new way to prep the wings (think brining, smoking, etc.) as well as adding a flavor like lemon-pepper, which has seen a 71% jump in menu appearances in the past four years!

Limited time offers entice customers with the promise of something unique and, when done correctly, lead to an increase in food traffic and sales.

Think beyond traditional winter flavors this season.  Gingerbread and Peppermint may be expected but, consider how churros (up 27% on menus) can make a cozy new addition.

Winter menu items can be flavors.  For instance, sugar cookie could be a source of flavor inspiration for everything from milkshakes to cozy cocktails.

Operators can appeal to consumers seeking LTOs around Hanukah by using latkes as the bread in a special sandwich, or a seasonal jam to fill various holiday cookies!

Pistachios are loved or liked by 71% of consumers but, move over Ambrosia Salad! Today’s pistachio lovers are looking to add crunch to salads, crust to their salmon, and indulging in crispy, creamy “Dubai” chocolate desserts!

Utilize these critical insights to effectively tailor your LTO menus.  For example, seafood tends to dominate menus during the holiday season, aligning with Lent traditions and preferences.  Why not jump on the fried fish sandwich trend? Banh mi can be an innovative sandwich style to execute; mostly consisting of ingredients that would already be available to operators.  How does a shrimp banh mi with pickled veggies and a sriracha aioli sound?

Everything you need to create your best winter dishes can be found in our catalogue, and you can find more inspiration from Schenck Foods in our quarterly, CRUNCH!