Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods Barista Blend - skyscraper - both - 04.17

Chef-mate We Can Better - skyscraper - both - 06.23

Dan's Prize Corned Beef Pastrami - Simple, Tender - banner - both - 04.20

V8 - Power Profits with Refreshing Steady Energy - both - 01.24  - 12.31.24

Cargill - Truvia Serve Americas Best Selling Stevia Sweetener - banner - both - 03.19

Simply Potatoes Low Sodium Mashed Potatoes - skyscraper - both - 09.23

Jennie-O Take Burgers Over the Top with Turkey - skyscraper - both - 03.20

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Resources - Lean on Us - banner - both - 05.20

Performance Dairy: Our Products Work Hard So You Don't Have To - skyscraper - both - 11.01 - 11.30.24

Performance Dairy Extra Melt - banner - both - 04.24

Ready to Eat Frozen Vegetables - banner - both - 03.23

Jennie-O No Basic Burger Here - banner - both - 03.20

Tyson - Hillshire Farm - Legendary Brand - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - banner - both - 01.20

Sunny Fresh Bacon and Cheese EggStravaganza - banner - both - 03.23

Banner Ad - 1 - MM - Recipes - Operator - supersized

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - banner - both - 04.20

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Hormel - Bacon 1 - You've Never Seen Bacon Like This - banner - both - 02.20

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - banner - both - 01.20

Culinary Canvas - skyscraper - OE - 09.30 - 12.29.24

Custom Solutions Just for You - banner - 11.01 - 11.30.24

Certified Cage-Free Egg Bites - Portable, Protein-Packed Breakfast - banner - both - 09.23

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - skyscraper - both - 04.18

McCain Free Takeout and Delivery Guide - banner - both - 05.20

Your Partner for Flavor - banner - both - 01.23

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing & Spread - skyscraper - OE - 10.22

Roland Foods - Discover the Roland Foods Pantry - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - both - skyscraper - 04.20

Performance Plus Food Safety - skyscraper - both - 09.21

Basic American Crispy Craveable Operator banner ad - 12.17

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - banner - both - 03.19

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

TNT Burgers - Learn More - banner - both - 03.23

Nestle Stouffer White Mac and Cheese - banner - both - 08.18

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - banner - both - 11.19

Fabri-Kal - Packaging solutions for environmental and off-premise needs - skyscraper - both - 11.19

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

General Mills - Gluten Free Options - banner - both - 03.18

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - banner - both - 11.22

Sunny Fresh Egg Bake Bites - banner - both - 03.23

Cooper Shreds Have Now Arrived - banner - 02.24

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - skyscraper - both - 01.20

McCain - Rebuilding Your Biz - Episode 1 - Hack Your Way Back - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - banner - both - 04.19

Dan's Prize Pot Roast, Prime Rib, Short Ribs Time-Intensive Proteins Made Easy - banner - both - 04.20

Culinary Canvas - banner - OE - 09.30 - 12.29.24

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Cook - Operator

America's Original Seafood Family - skyscraper - both - 02.24

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Customize Creamy Comfort - skyscraper - both - 04.19

America's Original Seafood Family - banner - 02.24

Tyson - Jimmy Dean - Loaded with Flavor - banner - both - 04.21

Wave of Inspiration - banner - both - 05.22

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Products - Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - banner - both - 02.20

Ambrosia Chocolate - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Empress 5-Compartment School Food Tray - 05.22

McCain - We're Here to Help - Learn More - banner - both - 05.20

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocado - banner - both - 01.20

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - skyscraper - both - 04.19

Mini Cinnamon Swirl French Toast - banner - both - 09.23

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Find Fresh Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - Now Serving Flame-Seared Perfection - skyscraper - both - 02.20

TNT Burgers - Learn More - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Grab 'n Go! Anytime. Every Time - banner - both - 07.23

Simplot - Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets banner - both - 05.18

McCain - Takeout and Delivery Menu Ideas - banner - both - 05.20

Simplot GoodGrains - banner - both - 01.20

Seafood is Better - skyscraper - both - 05.21

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - banner - both - 04.20

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - skyscraper - both - 07.18

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Simplot - Delivery Solved - Conquest Fries - skyscraper - both - 08.20

Sugar Food Traina California Dried Fruits - banner - OE - 10.19

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - banner - both - 03.23

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - We Cook It - Operators Take Credit - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Dan's Prize Sliced Meats Convenience - banner - both - 04.20

Performance Dairy Convenience and Consistency - banner - both - 04.24

Nestle - Hot Cocoa Single-Serve Packets - banner - both - 09.21

Durable Safety Edge Foil Lids skyscraper ad - both - 10.17

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocados - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Cargill - Truvia Serve America's Best-Selling Stevia Sweetener - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Fully Cooked Meats Create New Products - skyscraper - both - 11.01 - 11.30.24

Tork One Napkin - banner - OE - 03.17

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner with chef - both - 04.23

Simplot Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - banner - both - 08.20

Butterball - Quality, Versatility, and Consistency - banner - both - 07.19

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - skyscraper - both - 03.23

V8 - Give Customers Steady Energy with the Drink that Drives Sales - both - 01.24 - 12.31.24

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - skyscraper - both - 05.18

Sunny Fresh Bacon and Cheese EggStravanganza - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Tyson - Bonici - Crave Chorizo - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Less Time Less Grease Less Mess - banner - both - 02.20

Shrimp that Brings the Big Picture - skyscraper - both - 11.22

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - skyscraper - both - 02.23

As customers seek unique flavors and ingredients, more restaurants differentiate their offerings by expanding side dishes to include global flavors.
By the Numbers
Elote and dumplings are two growing global side dishes, according to Datassential&rsquo;s &ldquo;Menu Trends&rdquo; year-end quarter one 2024 report:
Elote &ndash; Up 58% over the past four years; on 1.3% of side menus. Elote is a Mexican-influenced grilled corn on the cob topped with mayo sauce, chili powder, cheese, and lime.
Dumplings &ndash; Up 36% over the past four years; on 1.3% of side menus. Specifically, the report refers to dumplings with eastern European or Asian influences.
Cuisine Attitudes
A few of the responses from consumers when asked &ldquo;Which of the following statements do you agree with?&rdquo; offers some clues to how consumers connect with regional and international cuisine.*
<ul>
<li>46% agreed that eating international cuisine helps them experience different cultures.</li>
<li>37% said they are more interested in authentic dishes than fusion dishes.</li>
<li>27% said they have been trying more new international cuisines in the past year.</li>
</ul>
* Kantar Profiles/Mintel, April 2023
Source: Lisa White, <a href="https://fesmag.com/topics/trends/22168-global-side-dishes" target="_blank">Foodservice Equipment &amp; Supplies</a>

As customers seek unique flavors and ingredients, more restaurants differentiate their offerings by expanding side dishes to include global flavors.

Global Side Dishes

Discover the latest trends that turn mainstay macaroni into patron-favorite gourmet mac and cheese. Try the signature mac and cheese recipes below!
Make Gourmet Mac and Cheese a Signature Dish 
Macaroni and cheese has been around for a long, long time. Instructions for pasta and cheese casseroles were recorded as early as the 14th century in Italy! Even its first modern recipe was in the 1770 cookery book The Experienced English Housekeeper.
Yet its popularity is still growing. According to Datassential, 30.6% of all restaurant menus featured macaroni and cheese over the last ten years. And maybe even more notable: restaurants offered, on average, 2.7 different mac and cheese options.
That gives this perennial favorite lots of room for creative interpretation. Datassential even tracks variations on gourmet mac and cheese recipes. These range from cheese types (Gruyere, Fontina, cheddar) to additions (peas, bacon, truffle, lobster).
Gourmet Mac and Cheese Recipes: A Starting Place 
Macaroni and cheese is one of those craveable, widely popular foods &mdash; beloved by kids and adults alike &mdash; that can be turned into a signature mac and cheese dish your customers will visit you specifically to order.
Here are ways to craft gourmet mac and cheese as a calling card:
Play with the Basics 
Don&rsquo;t feel tied to elbow pasta: almost any pasta shape is appropriate for mac and cheese. Try ziti, orecchiette, shells, ditalini, or even a small, delicate pasta such as orzo.
As far as cheese goes, switching up the flavor profile can create a big impact. In particular, try specialty cheeses such as goat cheese, feta, blue cheese, smoked mozzarella, pepper Jack, or a branded or locally sourced product. Or experiment with multiple cheeses, like an all-Italian mix of fontina, Parmesan, and Asiago.
Add Mix-ins 
<ul>
<li>Stir in vegetables such as broccoli or cauliflower, peas, asparagus tips, spinach or Swiss chard, diced roasted vegetables, or tomatoes (This is also a great way to sneak in some nutrition for kids!)</li>
<li>Go upscale with wild mushrooms, lobster or crab, or smoked chicken</li>
<li>Stir in a flavor enhancement such as pesto or salsa</li>
<li>Top with seasoned or buttered bread or cracker crumbs, then bake or broil to create an extra-crispy crust.</li>
<li>Enrich with sour cream, pur&eacute;ed butternut squash, or Alfredo sauce</li>
<li>Create a mac-and-cheese menu or station where customers can choose their own mix-ins and additions</li>
</ul>
Make It a Kids&rsquo; Menu Fixture 
Many children love macaroni and cheese &mdash; and it&rsquo;s also a protein-rich menu item that many parents can feel good about them ordering.
<ul>
<li>Pair with a side of veggie sticks and a better-for-you beverage such as juice, reduced-fat skim milk, or lemonade for a combo meal</li>
<li>Use whole-grain pasta and/or a whole-grain crumb topping</li>
<li>Accompany with a lean protein option, such as turkey hot dogs, shrimp, or grilled chicken breast or tenders</li>
<li>Slip veggies into the recipe, as mentioned above, for added produce portions</li>
<li>Provide mix-ins for a menu option that lets kids take charge</li>
</ul>
Use Mac &amp; Cheese as an Ingredient 
Gourmet mac and cheese is perfect as a side dish or entr&eacute;e, but it can also be used as a component in other specialties.
<ul>
<li>Top a burger or slider with mac and cheese instead of a slice of cheese</li>
<li>Form prepared macaroni and cheese into balls or oval shapes, roll in crumbs and fry for a bite-size appetizer or side</li>
<li>Enclose between two slices of bread and bake or fry for a variation on the grilled cheese sandwich</li>
<li>Heat with stock, shredded chicken, and a chile flavor boost for a distinctive Mexicali Mac-and-Cheese Soup</li>
<li>Bake into muffin tins for Macaroni and Cheese Cupcakes</li>
</ul>
Content courtesy of Nestle Professional
Sources: Datassential, &ldquo;Mac and Cheese,&rdquo; March 2024

Discover the latest trends that turn mainstay macaroni into patron-favorite gourmet mac and cheese. Try these signature mac and cheese recipes!

Gourmet Mac and Cheese on Your Menu

The better burger trend continues and expands with new protein and flavor options, with twists on bun/bread and condiment choices. Discover how to make the classic burger exciting and new.
Arby&rsquo;s surprising announcement that it is testing a venison burger(!) in a small number of locations is proof that there&rsquo;s still plenty of mileage left in the old better burger trend. Built from a steak sourced from farm-raised deer and topped with frizzled onions and a sweet-tart berry sauce reminiscent of the Cumberland sauce that&rsquo;s traditionally served with game, the new specialty&mdash;whether it&rsquo;s widely accepted by mainstream consumers or not&mdash;also suggests the many ways in which foodservice operators can build their own signature burger specialties.
Did You Know? Three out of four consumers enjoy a burger. It&rsquo;s all in pursuit of a sum that&rsquo;s greater than its assorted parts.
The Carrier
Many burgermeisters insist that the bun or bread is crucial to a great burger&mdash;in fact, almost as important as the patty itself.
And there&rsquo;s plenty of room for improvement beyond the generic hamburger roll:
<ul>
<li>Housemade bun</li>
<li>Sliced sturdy bread, including rye and multigrain, whether plain or toasted</li>
<li>English muffin</li>
<li>Ciabatta</li>
<li>Brioche</li>
<li>Flavored or specialty-grain roll (such as jalape&ntilde;o or spelt)</li>
<li>Gluten-free breadstuff</li>
<li>Lettuce (for a carb-free alternative)</li>
<li>For sliders, &ldquo;mini&rdquo; carriers such as biscuits</li>
<li>Pretzel roll</li>
<li>Waffles</li>
</ul>
The Patty
In addition to size (standard versus slider), there are numerous ways in which variety can be introduced to a burger menu with various proteins and other ingredients. Many customers, in fact, are <a href="http://restaurant-hospitality.com/consumer-trends/millennials-seeking-alternatives-traditional-burgers" target="_blank">seeking alternative burgers</a>.
<ul>
<li>Premium beef (Angus, custom blend, grass-fed)</li>
<li>Turkey</li>
<li>Chicken</li>
<li>Pork</li>
<li>Lamb</li>
<li>Bison or buffalo</li>
<li>Seafood (including tuna, salmon, and shrimp or scallops)</li>
<li>Meatless (bean- and/or grain-based), for vegetarians and vegans</li>
<li>Portabello mushroom cap</li>
<li>The Blend (meat blended with mushrooms)</li>
</ul>
Additional Proteins
Many burger builders pride themselves on over-the-top combinations that pair a patty with even more protein&mdash;cheese and bacon being obvious choices, but there&rsquo;s so much more to it:
<ul>
<li>Specialty cheeses (such as Asiago or Gorgonzola)</li>
<li>Premium bacon (applewood smoked, locally sourced)</li>
<li>Pork belly</li>
<li>A fried egg</li>
<li>Other cured meats (ham, prosciutto, pepperoni)</li>
<li>Sliced roast beef, brisket, or smoked turkey</li>
<li>Pulled pork or chicken</li>
<li>Chili</li>
</ul>
Signature Toppings
This flexible category of burger additions is where signatures are born, creating one-of-a-kind uniqueness by adding an item that&rsquo;s crave-worthy on its own to a burger build.
<ul>
<li>Cheese spread (pimento cheese, Boursin, cream cheese)</li>
<li>Kimchi</li>
<li>Onion rings or frizzled onions</li>
<li>Traditional or upgraded slaw (such as broccoli or Asian)</li>
<li>Potato chips or fries right on the burger, rather than on the side</li>
<li>Refried beans</li>
<li>Olives</li>
<li>Specialty pickles (bread-and-butter, quick-pickled red onions)</li>
<li>Macaroni and cheese</li>
</ul>
Vegetable Love
Lettuce and tomato are standard accessories to a burger, providing both flavor and texture, but growing interest in vegetables provides a good excuse for exploring other options.
<ul>
<li>Saut&eacute;ed mushrooms</li>
<li>Sliced avocado or guacamole</li>
<li>Sliced cucumber</li>
<li>Caramelized onions or grilled scallions</li>
<li>Lettuce-and-tomato alternatives (arugula, spinach, shredded Romaine, sundried tomato, fried green tomatoes)</li>
<li>Sliced pineapple</li>
<li>Fresh herbs (cilantro, chives, basil)</li>
<li>Sprouts</li>
</ul>
Condiments and Sauces
<ul>
<li>Spicy (habanero relish, Sriracha, chipotles en adobo)</li>
<li>Global (harissa, Korean gochujang, hoisin)</li>
<li>Artisanal (housemade ketchup, beer-infused mustard, roasted-garlic mayo)</li>
<li>Sophisticated (aioli, pesto)</li>
<li>Barbecue sauce</li>
<li>Sweet chile garlic sauce</li>
<li>Savory jam</li>
<li>Tzatziki</li>
<li>Hummus</li>
<li>Green Goddess or Ranch dressing</li>
</ul>
Content courtesy of Nestle Professional

Discover how to make the classic burger exciting and new.

Classics: How to Build a Better Burger

Archives

About the Menu

Global Side Dishes

Gourmet Mac and Cheese on Your Menu

Classics: How to Build a Better Burger