It’s no secret that diners love comfort foods—on menus across the country, dishes such as macaroni and cheese, pizza, fried chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers and more appear in abundance. But as more and more consumers show interest in making better choices for themselves and the planet by eating more plant-based food, operators are wise to diversify their menus with these options. In doing so, there’s a clear opportunity to boost the bottom line and build customer loyalty.
Consumer preferences for plant-based options
According to Technomic’s 2023 Vegetarian and Alternative Proteins Consumer Trend Report, 41% of consumers eat vegetarian or vegan meals at least once a week. And when dining out, on average, 26% of the vegetarian or vegan dishes that consumers order include a protein substitute or meat alternative (versus being simply comprised of vegetables, for instance). On top of this, the trend is expected to grow—21% of consumers are eating these dishes more often than they were three months ago, and nearly a quarter (24%) of consumers anticipate they’ll eat vegetarian or vegan dishes more often a year from now. In short, consumer behavior indicates a real need for more plant-based choices. For operators, offering plant-based versions of classic, familiar dishes is an easy way to appeal to a broad range of consumers—including diners who are actively seeking a plant-based option, as well as curious diners who would feel more inclined to branch out if it was presented as a dish they already know and love.
Plant-based comfort food options
Meat from plants – ranging from burgers to hot dogs to chicken nuggets – are a winning way to add plant-based options to the menu. Customers are already familiar with how these dishes look and taste, so swapping in a plant-based protein is a seamless switch. Impossible Beef Hot Dogs, for instance, are one of the latest plant-based innovations to hit menu boards, and they’ve already made a splash. In a blind taste test, 81% of consumers preferred Impossible Hot Dogs over another leading plant-based hot dog, and 75% agree they taste like animal beef hot dogs.1 They offer 16 grams of protein per serving (see nutrition panel for sodium content), as well as half the saturated fat and total fat of a leading animal beef hot dog2, all while being better for the environment—using approximately 77% less water and 83% less land to produce than animal hot dogs.3 Impossible Beef Hot Dogs deliver smoky, savory deliciousness and are fully cooked and quick to prepare, making them an ideal option for busy restaurant kitchens.
Maximizing profit with combo meals and premium ingredients.
Plant-based hot dogs are the perfect summer indulgence, and pair perfectly with classic condiments like mustard, ketchup and relish, but for operators looking to branch out and upsell, adding premium topping offerings can be a boon for the bottom line. For instance, operators can offer regional favorites, such as the Chicago Hot Dog—“dragged through the garden” and topped with tomatoes, mustard, relish, onions, sport peppers, celery salt and a pickle spear. Or, try offering the Carolina Slaw Dog, topped with Impossible chili and a delicious slaw. Other premium ingredients operators can consider adding to hot dogs include premium shredded or sliced cheeses, avocado or guacamole, crispy onions and more.
Plant-based hot dogs go perfectly in combo meals, too. Offer hot dogs as a meal with a side of french fries, sweet potato fries, tater tots or onion rings and a soft drink, for instance, for a convenient option to diners. Consumers are used to seeing combo meals on menus, so when there’s a plant-based option available, more diners may feel inclined to choose that option.
Meeting demand and making money
By offering comfort foods such as hot dogs reimagined with plant-based ingredients, operators can meet the demand of consumers looking for plant-based options on menus without reinventing the wheel. Menuing a specific, branded product like Impossible Beef Hot Dogs offers diners a recognizable brand in a familiar package—a win-win. To learn more about Impossible Beef Hot Dogs and other plant-based proteins, visit https://impossiblefoods.com/sell-hot-dog.
- Based on a blind taste test of 159 hot dog consumers from Deerfield, Illinois in July 2023
- Saturated fat per 64g serving: A leading animal beef hot dog 7g; this product 3.5g.
- Impossible Beef Hot Dogs US LCA (2023)
This post is sponsored by Impossible Foods