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Summer is on its way and customers want refreshing, ice cold beverages. Frozen beverage and gelato machines are easy to use, easy to clean, and most importantly, an easy way to add a variety of beverages they may not be able to get elsewhere.
Frozen beverages have been a convenience store staple for the last 60 years. High margin products, LTO flavors, and seasonal favorites are a few reasons these beverages remain on every convenience store menu.
What drives frozen beverage sales? According to NACS, Staying Power, July 2018, there are a several factors that drive sales: Innovative flavors, variety, healthier options, and customization opportunities.
Innovative flavors: Millennials and Gen Z are the influencers of the beverage flavor trends. When it comes to frozen beverages, they like coffee, dessert flavors, candy flavors, ethic flavors, nostalgic flavors such as root beer float, and adding spices to fruit flavors such as chili mango and habanero raspberry.
Variety: Coca-Cola research indicates that for 61% of teens, a wide selection of flavors is an important factor when deciding to purchase a frozen beverage. However, 40% of frozen dispensed beverage (FDB) drinkers aged 55 and older tell researchers that variety is an important purchase motivator for them, as well. Appeal to teens and those over 55 by offering multiple choices so they can choose their favorites or experiment with new creations.
Healthier options: Frozen beverages with natural fruit juices, natural sugars instead of high fructose corn syrup, protein infusions, and less sugar in general are in high demand.
Customization opportunities: Brightly colored beverages options are the most popular. They also provide an Instagram-worthy moment that can create excitement (and traffic) to your location.
Adding gelato to frozen beverages allows you to create signature, innovative beverages that provide variety and customization opportunities without adding a lot of sku’s. By selecting frozen beverage recipes with natural fruit juices and proteins infusions, you can offer the healthier choices customers are looking for all year long.
Affogato Taken Up A Notch
An affogato is a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a shot of hot espresso that can be served as a beverage or a dessert. It is sometimes referred to as an affogato al café meaning “drowned in coffee”.
Take this classic favorite up a notch by layering gelato with frozen cold brew latte from a frozen beverage machine and topping it with a shot of hot espresso. Want even more? Top with whipped cream and a chocolate or caramel drizzle.
Layered Frozen Beverages
31% of Millennials and Gen Z 31% more likely to add a flavor shot (Restaurant Business, Beverage Trends Report, 6 Trends Shaking Up Business Sales, Patricia Cobe, 2016). Create a neutral slushie base (sugar and water) and encourage guests to create their own custom flavor by adding flavor shots. Layering colors and flavors allows Millennials and Gen Zers to create interesting taste fusions. When handcrafting frozen beverages, it is important to check the sugar content prior to adding the mixture to the hopper to ensure it freezes properly. Refer to the service manual for sugar content guidelines.
Gelato topped with a Frozen Beverage
This takes layering to new heights! Simply add gelato to one, two, three or more flavors of frozen beverage to create a tasty sensation that is sure to grab everyone’s attention. Visual stunning and yummy treat in one!
Want to keep it simple? Add gelato to orange frozen beverage for a creamy, nostalgic orange dreamsicle flavor that is sure to be a summertime or anytime favorite.
