There’s a fine line between popular and overdone. With pumpkin spice a guarantee on every menu and grocery shelf from September-November, restauranteurs have the opportunity to delight customers this year by going in a different direction. Spice things up this fall by avoiding the expected. Consumers can get their pumpkin spice fix in everything from coffee creamers, to yogurt, to bathroom soap. They’ll be looking to foodservice operators to put fall on the menu in different ways.
Try the following combinations for fall specials that are inexpensive to create, easy to market, and guaranteed to evoke warm feelings and increased sales.
Remind them of Sunday dinners in the fall
It’s as simple as taking a Bone in Spiral Ham, glazing with ½ cup maple syrup, ½ cup dark brown sugar, 2 T Dijon mustard, ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp nutmeg, baking at 300 for two hours, and plating with sides of mashed sweet potatoes and stewed green beans. Feature it on your menu board as “Autumn Dinner Blue Plate Special” or create a whole seasonal table tent with similar fall entrées.
Evoke the excitement of back to school time
One of the reasons the Pumpkin Spice Latte is Starbucks most popular seasonal beverage has nothing to do with the drink itself. Customers see it as a signifier of fall; an indicator that the season has changed and cozy times are coming. Generate that same nostalgia with dessert specials that will remind customers of back to school excitement. Plate gingersnap cookies with sliced local apples, sharp cheddar cheese, and a steaming mug of apple cider or a stack of warm snickerdoodle cookies with a glass of milk. Feature on dessert menus as “After School Snack” and watch as customers gobble up the nostalgia.
Nourish body and spirit
While summer means outside adventures, and the holidays can bring excessive indulgence, fall often triggers a desire to be cared for and nourished. Warm side dishes with a healthy yet comforting vibe will be just what customers are seeking. Roast sheet pans of sweet potatoes, carrots, Brussel sprouts, and green beans, tossed with olive oil, maple syrup, kosher salt, black pepper, and rosemary, for 15 minutes at 450 degrees. “Maple Roasted Harvest Vegetables” will sound appealing on your menu.
Highlight apples and pears to pick up sales all season long.
The undisputed poster children for fall fruits, apples and pears are as seasonal as it gets. From crumbles, pies, cobblers, and cakes to sauces, savory chutneys, salads, and accompaniments to roasted meats, don’t miss a single opportunity to highlight the popular (and cost effective) orchard bounty.
SGC has everything you need this season. Check out the following products to bring fall to life, with ease.
382909 - Pure Maple Syrup
171009 - Sauer Pumpkin Pie Spice
170092 - Code Ground Cinnamon
171595 - Gold Medal Ground Nutmeg
074260 - Pumpkin Puree
051915 - Domino Brown Sugar
141648 - Azar Fancy Pecans
052001 - Domino Powdered Sugar
139402 - Lyons Caramel Sauce
191742 - Sweet Potatoes
054098 - Grassland Salted Butter
193001 - Large Grade A Eggs
053330 - General Mills All Purpose Flour
195610 - Hiland Whole Milk
055442 - Code Cream Cheese
142896 - Code Whipped Topping
