Sponsored by McCain Foodservice Solutions
The restaurant industry is constantly evolving. As businesses continue to rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, many currently face a slew of new challenges, including food price increases and mounting competition from their industry counterparts. Amid these challenges, one thing is certain: consumers are craving memorable and shareable dining experiences. That’s why differentiation is key for any operator who wants to succeed within today’s competitive landscape.
As many operators restructure their business strategies and slim down menus to offset the impact of rising food costs, offering new and unique food options can help deliver memorable dining experiences that differentiate your business and drive profitability. Rest assured, expanding your menu doesn’t have to be a heavy lift. In fact, adding a single item can drive sales-boosting traffic to your restaurant — and few food products can attract consumers more effectively than french fries.
The average American eats approximately 40 pounds of french fries each year (UC-Davis). However, all Americans don’t love the same type of fry. That’s why adding a second fry option to your menu can increase customer satisfaction and positively impact your profitability.
Why a Specialty Fry Should Be Your Second Fry
If you’re wondering which products can appeal to consumer preferences, enhance the dining experience and garner additional purchases, look no further than specialty cut fries. From waffles to spirals, each variation embodies all that’s great about fried potato products. But they do so with a unique flair that appeals to the eyes and tastebuds of consumers who view them as differentiated.
“When you eat a waffle fry, you want to slow down and enjoy the exterior crunch and the interior creaminess,” said Mark Sultzky, Director of Culinary at McCain Foods. “And when you pair them with toppings, you don’t lose the potato flavor.”
As chef Slutzky indicates, specialty fries deliver all that diners crave in taste and texture, but their compatibility with countless sauces and toppings is what unlocks new menu opportunities for today’s operators.
“Spiral fries also delight the senses. Their crispy exterior makes them another great choice for topping, and their shape is primed for dipping.”
While specialty fries are great on their own, they also can serve as the base of a unique dish consumers can seldom find elsewhere. Their unique shapes also help portion sizes appear abundant on the plate, which can lower food costs and increase customer satisfaction. However, these benefits are only realized if you market your specialty fry offerings effectively, and few marketing strategies are as impactful as a limited-time offer (LTO).
The Power of the LTO
An LTO featuring specialty fries can generate buzz and excitement around your menu. By capitalizing on everything from hot trends and seasonal flavors to local festivities and the latest in pop culture, this approach to marketing short-term menu offerings is a fun and impactful way to attract new customers and steal a larger market share.
For instance, LTOs are a great fit for the Big Game and other prominent sporting events. You also can align these offerings with new movie releases or national holidays to add a flavorful twist to the celebration. Instead of offering a quesadilla for Cinco de Mayo, crank things up a notch with Papa’dillas featuring McCain® Redstone Canyon® Skin-On Waffle Fries. Similarly, SXSW Brisket Nachos featuring McCain® SureCrisp® Skin-On Waffle Fries are a great fit for the fourth of July or summertime barbecue themes.
LTOs also can be more than a one-day activation. Why wait for National Beer Day to offer Late Night Craft Beer Nachos with Brew City® Wide-Mouth Waffle Fries? Who says your diners won’t crave them every Friday night? Regardless of how and when you introduce your LTO, incorporating waffles, spirals or other specialty fries can be the key to delivering memorable experiences that keep customers coming back for more.
It’s Time to Elevate Your Menu
Delivering memorable experiences to consumers is the key to standing out in today’s foodservice industry. And while your menu offerings play a pivotal role in shaping perception, specialty fries represent a crowd-pleasing addition that can differentiate your business, attract new customers and unlock new opportunities for incremental growth.
To access LTO and inspiration guides, watch chef videos featuring spiral and waffle menu concepts, or simply identify the perfect specialty fry for your operation, visit www.mccainusafoodservice.com/second-fry.
