According to Technomic’s 2019 Dessert Consumer Trend Report, about a quarter of consumers (24%) say they eat dessert about 4.5 times per week on average. For restaurants, means many opportunities to capture dessert dollars.
But with the variety of desserts currently on the market, encouraging diners to order a sweet treat can seem like an uphill battle. However, there are a few ways to increase the likelihood of consumers getting dessert. Premium toppings, which offer craveable familiarity, are a perfect way to entice diners to indulge. Here are a few ways these toppings can boost dessert sales.
1) Customization
By offering premium toppings, such as Butterfinger pieces and other candy bits, restaurants can serve a few standard desserts, such as plain cheesecake or an ice cream sundae, with the customer’s choice of mix-ins. According to Technomic, 56% of consumers say it’s important that desserts contain a favorite ingredient. By making premium toppings available, operators make sure consumers will be able to find something that appeals to them.
2) Familiarity
Many consumers gravitate toward treats that feature brand-name ingredients. Technomic finds, in fact, that nearly half (46%) of consumers ages 18- to 34-years old say that at restaurants, they like to purchase desserts made with name-brand ingredients. Operators should highlight these where possible. Dessert toppings from Ferrero USA, including Butterfinger pieces, Buncha Crunch candy bits and miniature Baby Ruth candy bars all offer the familiar, recognizable indulgence these diners want.
3) Over-the-top indulgence
Finally, desserts that pair more than one sweet—such as mashup desserts like cookie dough cake or a s’mores cake—and desserts with an interactive element, such as “dip your own” or “top your own” options can help boost sales. Consumers—particularly younger diners—enjoy these over-the-top desserts. What’s more, younger consumers are more likely to post pictures of their desserts on social media, so by offering over-the-top desserts that feature brand-name ingredients consumers love, operators may also enjoy a bit of a social media boost. Top brownies with candy bits and ice cream, or add a donut, candy bits and marshmallows to a milkshake, for instance.
Find out more about premium dessert toppings from Ferrero USA at ferreronorthamerica.com/.
This post is sponsored by Ferrero