Our Top 5 Flavor Ideas For C-Store Foodservice!
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Chicken Sandwich by the Numbers
September 11, 2020
Each year top menu researcher, Datassential, posts the results from analyzing restaurant menus nationwide. As an operator, the insights can offer an edge over your competition as all of us recover from the pandemic. Here is a look at the Top 5 trending items* within each category with the percentage increase in menu penetration of the item from the last year, and the last four years:
| Top Comfort Food | 1-Year Growth | 4-Year Growth |
|
Chicken & Dumplings |
12% | – 23.4% |
|
Hush Puppy |
5.8% | – 6.9% |
|
Rotisserie Chicken |
4.4% | .7% |
|
Sweet Potato |
4.1% | 12.2% |
|
Grilled Cheese |
3.2% | 8.4% |
| Top Center of The Plate Entree | 1-Year Growth | 4-Year Growth |
|
Burrito |
3.3% | 7.8% |
|
Taco |
2.9% | 11% |
|
Quesadilla |
2.1% | 5.6% |
|
Fried Chicken |
2% | 7% |
|
Fish & Chips |
1.5% | 1.6% |
| Top Appetizers | 1-Year Growth | 4-Year Growth |
|
Kabob |
4.5% | 8.2% |
|
Fries |
3.3% | 10.8% |
|
Hummus |
2.8% | 19.5% |
|
Queso |
2.5% | 24% |
|
Meatball |
1.8% | 14.1% |
| Top Sauces & Flavors | 1-Year Growth | 4-Year Growth |
|
Aioli |
3.1% | 21.1% |
|
Ranch |
2.9% | 7.7% |
|
Vinegar |
2.4% | 8.4% |
|
Vinaigrette |
1.2% | 8.5% |
|
Balsamic |
.9% | 7.7% |
| Top Proteins | 1-Year Growth | 4-Year Growth |
|
Ribeye Steak |
1.9% | 3.8% |
|
Egg |
.9% | 3.9% |
|
Sausage |
.6% | .9% |
|
Meatball |
.6% | .9% |
|
Salmon |
.4% | 4% |
As restaurants address the many challenges of the pandemic, it can be easy to overlook what menu items consumers prefer and enjoy. Flavorful foods served exceptionally well are still key drivers. Use these insights as you craft your menu to increase your operation’s success.
*Datassential, July 2020
