Flavor Trends, Strategies and Solutions for Menu Development

Flavored popcorn is a simple and effective appetizer that delivers a compulsive munchable that demands to be shared. Use different butter flavors to market a rotation of special profiles across a week or a month. Here, Black Truffle Flavored Butter from Epicurean Butter lends premium cues.

Credit: Epicurean Butter

Easy Does It

Use flavored butter to transform guest favorites with minimal back-of-house impact

Datassential’s LTO tracking in 2022 showed a majority of operators view LTOs as central to business strategy, running more LTOs year-over-year. More recent research from Technomic affirms the pattern, revealing that LTO launches are surpassing core item initiatives, a trend that’s increased 131 percent in the last five years (Technomic Ignite Menu, 2019-24).

Trend watchers identify a broad spectrum of menu categories commonly used as LTOs, including desserts, beverages, appetizers/shareables, sides and protein sandwich features. Flavored butter can be a key element in the equation in each one, packing either a powerful punch or a nuanced undertone.

“Flavored butter is one of the most versatile tools for a chef who wants to experiment with new flavors,” says Rick Prow, R&D chef/procurement manager, Epicurean Butter. “Flavored butter allows chefs to experiment with bold or seasonal flavors without completely overhauling existing recipes. Whether drizzled, spread, melted or dolloped as a finishing touch, it’s an easy way to differentiate menu items without additional ingredients or labor.”

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