Sponsored by Lamb Weston
Limited-Time Offers (LTOs) offer excitement for consumers and multiple benefits for operators, including building purchase frequency, growing check size, and attracting new customers.
They drive traffic into restaurants in part due to their short window of availability, prompting consumers to act quickly to avoid missing out on new flavor experiences. 77% of consumers order LTOs and seasonal offerings at least occasionally, and 30% say they are attracted to LTOs because they won’t be around long.1
For existing customers, LTOs create incentives for additional visits, while they also attract new customers by providing items that differentiate a restaurant from its competition. LTOs can also feature premium pricing, helping to boost operators’ sales and profits.
Often these items can incorporate seasonal flavors and ingredients to enhance their timeliness, or they can be associated with holidays and other events, and readily promoted with hashtags on social media.
Loaded fries are versatile
National French Fry Day, July 13, is one example that presents such an opportunity for restaurant operators of all types. Topped & loaded fries make a great option for consumers seeking special dishes for this celebration of one of their favorite foods, and they also make sense for the operators that offer them. Fries provide a versatile, low-cost base for a range of toppings.
In addition, topped & loaded fries make a great side dish or shared appetizer, or, topped with a protein, cheese, and a sauce, can easily be the main course.
Chef Ford Fry, founder of Ford Fry Restaurants, says operators should look for French fry dishes that fit well with their concept, whether they are operating a casual restaurant or a high-end steakhouse. For example, caviar can be served as a high-end topping, or a simple melted cheese topping can be used to create a great flavor profile. At Fry's Mexican restaurant, he has topped fries with Mexican queso and added sour cream to create a satisfying, comfort-food dish.
Other ideas Chef Fry has executed at his restaurants include topping fries with chowder, which includes potatoes, veggies and smoked fish. He has also featured raclette fries, a dish made with a melted variety of Swiss cheese—also called raclette—that is similar to a fondue, which is melted in a copper pan and then poured over the fries.
Ford says operators need to pay close attention to every ingredient when they are creating a new French fry dish. The crispiness and crunch of the fries are critical, which is why Fry chooses fries from Lamb Weston, he says.
“Whether it’s a side item, the sauce, or the main component, treat each component of a dish like it’s equally 100% important,” he says.
Making fries stand out
One way he makes his fries stand out is by tossing cooked fries in brisket fat, which he obtains from a local barbecue restaurant and then renders himself in-house. The flavor from the brisket imbues the fries with a unique, classic taste, he explains.
Other options to consider when creating French fry dishes include sprinkling them with high-quality garnishes and seasonings, such as finely chopped Italian parsley, micro-shaved garlic or fine sea salt.
“Think about all of the textures and make sure the fries are crispy and flavorful,” Fry says. “Really think through all the different ingredients and ask yourself whether they're adding to the dish or not. If something’s not adding to the dish, then don't put it in there.”
Operators also need to consider how they promote a French fry dish they are creating for an LTO, whether tied to National French Fry Day or not. Fry suggests a video capturing a close up of fries being salted and tossed in a stainless-steel bowl to create a mouth-watering visual and audio stimulus that’s sure to drive traffic.
Lamb Weston offers a variety of on-trend recipe suggestions for flavorful loaded French fry LTOs that restaurants can promote on July 13, or anytime. Consider options such as Mango Habanero Crispy Chicken Fries, Smoky Carne Asada Fries, Rib Tip BBQ Fries, or Taco Loaded Fries.
For more menu inspiration and creative French fry solutions, visit https://www.lambweston.com/
1 Datassential Menu Development Keynote Report and FoodBytes