Be part of new game day meal rituals

Sponsored by: Stonefire® Authentic Flatbread

In a time when fans are ready to celebrate more than ever, restaurants and bars have a unique opportunity to position themselves as part of new game day food rituals. While Americans still feel most comfortable watching the game at home¹, watching sports this season will be about so much more than a few hours of distraction. This year, game day will be an event with sports fans pre-planning, pre-shopping, and pre-ordering as they attempt to re-create the game day experience with special meals and game-time snacks.

Win Big with Tailgating

Tailgating has become a cultural mainstay in America and, while the world might look different, we still crave being a part of something big. Whether you host it on your patio, deliver it, or prepare it for pickup, there are lots of ways to recreate the tailgate experience for your guests.

While this may sound daunting, it’s really just small-scale catering and your current inventory likely has everything you need to make this work! First, review your current menu and determine if any of your signature dishes can be turned into a tailgate offering. A signature bourbon chicken, for example, can easily become a bourbon chicken flatbread using in-stock sauces and other toppings. Easily translated into multiple menu items, a quality flatbread will resonate with guests while helping to streamline operations.

Next, consider sports-themed menu items. According to a recent study by Datassential, most fans express interest in sports-themed meals and promotions from restaurants and bars². Fans are craving comfort food and this is a great opportunity to create upscale twists on traditional stadium dishes. Reimagine nachos into naanchos, premiumize hotdogs with a naan bun and all the fixings, or complement a hearty chili with buttery naan to dip and scoop.

Once you have developed a few tailgate items, a good rule of thumb is to bundle 4-5 items, serving 6-10 people. Incorporate customization by allowing guests to mix-and-match from your menu with a ‘build-your-own tailgate party’ option.

Move Over Pizza, Flatbread Commands More

Pizza has been a bright spot over the past few months, with many operators experiencing double-digit growth in their pizza programs. Critical to any game-day offering, pizza has earned its place on every take-out and delivery menu.

But… Did you know that guests perceive flatbread to be premium³, better-for-you⁴, and more flavor-forward⁴ than traditional pizza? Did you know that, according to Datassential, flatbread typically commands over $2.50 more⁵ than pizza on American menus? It’s true! Complement your game-day pizza program with flatbread options to broaden appeal and drive higher check averages.

“The great thing about flatbread is that they provide a blank canvas,” says Sabrina Tessier, Director of Marketing for FGF Brands. “Whatever your culinary style or the ingredients you have on hand, you can create a fast and delicious flatbread. Plus, flatbread fulfills so many guest requirements - an artisan flair, a healthier perception, comfort-food deliciousness, and a customizable format.”

Clean label and baked directly on stone at blisteringly high heat, Stonefire® authentic flatbreads provide speed scratch efficiency to your operation, without sacrificing the quality, taste and texture that your guests expect.

Sports-Themed Meal Kits

As families cook at home and cut back on grocery runs, meal kits have been experiencing a resurgence and have proven an incremental stream of income for many restaurant operators. When it comes to game day, kits are a great way for foodie fans to treat themselves to restaurant food while also being involved in the celebration!

Just as with the tailgating program, your current inventory likely includes the majority of the items you will need to bring this to life. As a bonus, the meal kit format enables you to offer popular dishes that do not otherwise hold well through take-out and delivery, providing a value-add to your normal off-premise menu.

Start by reviewing your current menu and focusing on guest favorites and signature dishes. Next consider popular game-day foods that you can make your own – such as a reimaging of tacos al pastor using grilled pineapple, your signature spice blend, and a mini naan carrier.

Once you have a few candidates in mind, determine which among them can be adapted for the home chef. The best dishes will be aspirational but achievable and prepared in no more than 30-45 minutes. Proteins can be sent raw or cooked depending on the technique and time required. Avoid dishes that require intricate knife work and ones that have many steps and/or complicated techniques.

As in everything we do, ingredient quality is key. Be sure to select versatile, high-quality ingredients and bases that work across multiple kits and recipes. For example, Naan Dippers® can be used as one of the building blocks in a dip flight, in cheesy garlic pull-aparts (title image), and in cinnamon-sugar dusted sopapillas with caramel sauce. All are quick to prepare and perfect for cheering on your team!

Treat your kit like a “cook by numbers” - labelling the recipe directions and each ingredient accordingly. Consider packaging carefully, heat sealing and using pre-packaged ingredients where possible. Finally, have a few beta testers (friends, family, team members) re-test the recipe in their home kitchens to mimic the guest experience. Finally, when it comes to kits, don’t forget about cocktails and mocktails.

Marketing Your Fan-tastic Menu

Small scale catering is nothing new, but marketing your new tailgate packages, premium stadium foods and game day meal kits will help to expand your brand and create buzz! By focusing on signature dishes-turned-flatbread, game time platters, and build-your-own, it’s an easy jump from a “family meal” to a game day party either on-premise or off-premise.

Marketing is critical, so don’t be afraid to test the market! Advertise your game day offerings on your social media accounts, on your website, and on outdoor signage to see how customers respond. Adjust if necessary and continue to promote. When speaking about your promotions, be sure to share your safety protocol in order to build diner trust.

Stonefire® is here to help! From dine-in to take-out, Stonefire’s portfolio of naan, flatbread, and pizza crust earns its place across the menu and provides a unique twist to the familiar foods your guests crave. For recipe inspiration, samples, or culinary support from chef Alison Jarvest, please visit Stonefire.com/foodservice.

All Stonefire® products are made in BRC-certified facilities (AA rating) with the highest levels of safety and sanitation.

Sources:

1. Datassential. “Back in the Game” Report 34, 9/18/2020.

2. Datassential. “Back in the Game” Report 34, 9/18/2020.

3. Datassential Foodbytes: Pizza.

4. Nations Restaurant News. “Flatbreads rise to the challenge.” May 3, 2019.

5. Datassential MenuTrends, 2020.