By Flavor & The Menu
May 6, 2021

Quinn Adkins

It’s easy to see why the Pretzel Bites at Culver’s are now a part of this regional burger chain’s core menu. Introduced in the fall of 2018 as a limited-time offering, fans quickly showed how much they loved this snack, with sales outpacing forecasted numbers. The LTO returned in both 2019 and 2020, demonstrating double-digit incremental sales each time. “We heard our guests loud and clear, and we added these to our menu permanently on April 5, 2021,” says Quinn Adkins, Director of Menu Development.

A warm pretzel isn’t a new concept, so why the clamoring for Culver’s version? He says both the texture and flavor of the pretzel give it that crave factor. “The unexpected lightly crisp exterior—while also delivering 100 percent on the authentic pretzel flavor—really sets these apart from similar offerings,” says Adkins. The signature move, though, is the premium Wisconsin cheddar cheese sauce. “It’s something special, very different from most cheese sauces. We based it on a Mornay; it’s thickened with real roux and features one-year-old sharp Wisconsin cheddar.” Details like these not only give this menu item a bankable flavor profile built on quality, they also continue the story of Wisconsin pride that is such an important part of the Culver’s brand. “The Pretzel Bites truly capture some of the best flavors of our home state and reinforce our commitment to quality and authenticity,” says Adkins.