Cinco de Mayo
The holiday of Cinco de Mayo may draw its origins from Mexican culture, but it has firmly established its roots in the American restaurant scene. Operators across the country are gearing up for the fiesta on May 5 with celebratory food, drink and other activities.
Financing
A warm bed for winter produce
In November, the risotto featured mushrooms, wild scallions and artichokes, but now it’s transitioning into a cozy vehicle for roasted root vegetables.
The dining public is saving lots of room for dessert. According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2006 Tableservice Restaurant Trends report, 30 percent of fine-dining operators, 27 percent of casual dining places and 32 percent of family restaurants say their customers are ordering more dessert now than they did two years ago. And data from NPD/CREST reveals that 12 percent of consumers order dessert at restaurants. So what should you be purchasing to satisfy these sweet cravings?
Tempting customers to buy dessert is a surefire way to boost dinner and lunch checks. But that means offering an irresistible and varied selection that hits every diner’s sweet spot. Suppliers have stepped up to the dessert plate with ingredients and products for operators at every level—from QSR grab-and-go treats to comforting family-dining pies and ice creams, to the speed-scratch cakes, pastries and mousses that differentiate casual menus.