Alex Sadowsky

One of the reasons that the Spicy Meatball Skillet has been a hit for Twin Peaks is its strategic release on the menu. “We had been tracking meatballs since 2019 and planned to launch them then, but we had to put the ideation on pause as COVID slowed down the execution,” says Alex Sadowsky, Director of Culinary, Beverage & Menu Innovation for this sports lodge concept that’s a part of FAT Brands. “Once everything started to open up again, we kept an eye on food trends, waiting patiently for meatballs to trend on bar bite menus.”

Timing was everything for the success of this launch. Sadowsky aimed to find the ideal balance between two key factors: the level of enthusiasm among guests for a new menu item and positioning Twin Peaks as a leader in trend-setting within the casual-dining industry. Cue the release— and an effective rollout. “The Meatball Skillet offered our guests another shareable option, making a big move in our snacking category, as well as offering a hearty, savory option,” he says. “Overall, our Spicy Meatball Skillet did not cannibalize sales of other menu items and gave our guests more flavor-filled choices.”