When it comes to menu optimization, offering customers opportunities to customize their meals is likely one of the best strategies for keeping satisfied customers coming back for more.
Boosting variety on the menu doesn’t necessarily mean increasing the number of recipes employees have to learn, the amount of time devoted to prep work or the number of ingredients in the kitchen inventory, however. With timesaving solutions to switch up the flavor profile on consumers’ favorite dishes, such as prepared dressings and dipping sauces in fan-favorite flavors, customization can happen in no time.
Digitally driven trends
The pandemic caused many operators to focus more on digital platforms, and having more control over their orders is one of diners’ favorite aspects of ordering online. According to Technomic’s 2020 Technology Consumer Trend Report, 66% of consumers say they expect to be able to customize menu items when ordering on a website or mobile app, and about one-third said that if the platform doesn’t allow them to customize, they’ll order elsewhere.
Opportunities to customize meals help promote consumer retention in other capacities, too. For example, a diner is less likely to continue returning to a certain restaurant if they’ve grown tired of the offerings; if they have a chance to change things up with a fresh flavor or different topping, they’ll be more likely to stay interested in the restaurant. And prepared sauces and dressings are a great low-labor way to do it.
Dressings and sauces in high demand
Dressings and dipping sauces offer one of the easiest ways to let diners customize their meal, and single-serve portions, in particular, can be as appealing to customers as they are to operators. As safety remains a top concern, single-serving dressing packets and cups, such as those offered by Ken’s, provide an easy workaround for a high-touch condiment station in the restaurant, and pre-portioned containers mean employees don’t have to take an extra step to serve sauces—just add it to the order and go.
When building out a selection of sauces and dressings, operators can prioritize the flavors their consumers love most. According to Technomic menu data, ranch dressing is far and away the fan favorite, ranking No. 1 among dressings in terms of menu penetration. Other classics also rank high in popularity, such as balsamic vinaigrette, Italian dressing and Caesar dressing, as well as extra-dippable dressings such as bleu cheese and honey mustard—and Ken’s is a one-stop shop for all of these flavors and more.
Across menu parts, dayparts and cuisine types, diners want options—and offering an array of craveable dressings and sauces is one of the most margin-friendly ways restaurant operators can deliver. Turning to a trusted name with a wide range of recipes, such as Ken’s, is a great strategy. With consumer-favorite dressings as well as lite varieties and innovative flavors—available in single-serve packets and cups for maximum convenience—Ken’s can help operators offer the variety their consumers crave.
To learn more about products from Ken’s, visit kensfoodservice.com.
This post is sponsored by Ken's Foods Inc.