Trends for Spring/Summer 2024
See what’s hot in commercial foodservice and what you need to stay on trend.
Trend #1: Late Night Craveable Snacks
"At the end of a long day, patrons are looking for super-satisfying comfort foods to tame their hunger. Now, operators are finding success by adding popular global flavors to traditional late-night favorites. The results are definitely worth losing sleep over.” — CHEF ZELLER, Corporate Executive Chef, Simplot
Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Caramelized Onion Biscuit Sandwich
A late-night snack that really satisfies that breakfast craving. With crispy bacon, a fried egg, perfectly seasoned caramelized onions, and a tangy tzatziki avocado spread that brings all the flavors together.
Brazilian Churrasco Sandwich
What do meat lovers want for a late-night snack? Answer: This sandwich. With tender strips of seasoned beef, caramelized onions, melted provolone, tomato, creamy avocado and a punchy, bright chimichurri sauce. So good.
Carne Asada Fries Taco
You read that right, we put the fries right in the taco. Every bite has the perfect combination of carne asada, crispy fries, creamy guacamole, pico, and melted queso. Prepare to make a lot of these; they are going to be popular!
Spicy Fried Chicken and Dill Pickle Avocado Sandwich
Why settle for an average chicken sandwich when you can serve up this gem? Top a brioche bun with spicy fried chicken, crunchy coleslaw, and a generous amount of dill pickle avocado spread that really makes this sandwich next-level.
Trend #2: Simple Secret Menu
"Secret menu items offer value for both operators and customers. As sexy as they sound, they don’t have to be complicated. Your regular pantry items plus a couple of new touches are all you need to reward loyal customers for being 'in the know'." — CHEF ZELLER, Corporate Executive Chef, Simplot
Cheesy Guacamole Fries
Nachos? Cheeseburger fries? Delicious! So why not combine them for a secret menu winner? Crispy fries topped with nacho cheese, seasoned ground beef, caramelized onions, dill pickle avocado, tomatoes and finish with a drizzle of fry sauce.
The Onion Lover's Burger
In this case, the name really does say it all. Load up a classic burger with perfectly seasoned caramelized onions, house-made garlic aioli, and Swiss cheese then serve it up with lettuce and tomato. (And napkins, lots of napkins.)
Munchies Chicken & Waffles To Go
These little “munchies” are so good they’ll have a following all their own. Spicy fried chicken bites and crispy bacon sandwiched between Maple City® Waffle Flavored Waffle Fries, finished with a drizzle of hot honey.
Elote Loaded Fries
How about a big plate of delicious loaded fries? Pile up a crispy plate of fries and top with roasted corn in a tangy, spicy sauce and a big dollop of guacamole. Finish them off with cotija and cilantro and watch them disappear.
Trend #3: Boujee Breakfast
“For many people, breakfast has transformed from mere sustenance to a culinary event where each bite offers a complex harmony of flavors. It’s not just about eating; it’s an art form where presentation and taste intertwine to create a memorable morning experience.” — CHEF ZELLER, Corporate Executive Chef, Simplot
Wholesome Breakfast Veggie Bowl
If you have customers looking for healthy, portable breakfast options, this is the one! Packed with ancient grains, roasted sweet potatoes, caramelized onions, avocado, arugula and a poached egg—this bowl really satisfies.
Maple City® Waffle Loaded Breakfast Fries
And you thought loaded fries were just for dinner. Not when you top a plate of Maple City® Waffle-Flavored Waffle Fries with diced fried chicken, crumbled bacon, melted cheese and perfectly poached eggs. Serve these up with a spicy maple-sriracha sauce.
Southwest Corn and Avocado Bowl
Perfect for those who want a healthy, savory breakfast with a spicy little kick. Top a base of cilantro lime rice, fire-roasted corn and black beans with a fried egg, guacamole, salsa, jalapeños and cotija. Serve with cilantro-lime dressing and pumpkin seeds.
Jalapeño Cornmeal Pancake Tacos
How about breakfast tacos with a pancake wrapper shell? Fluffy, golden corn pancakes filled with grilled Andouille sausage, flame-roasted corn and jalapeños, topped off with green onion and warm maple syrup. Yes, please!
Trend #4: Ready-to-Eat Grab & Go
“Ready-to-eat frozen vegetables are revolutionizing the prep of grab-n-go items for operators. They eliminate the cooking and cooking process so operators can simply thaw and serve. They’re great for meal kits, too, creating a new stream of revenue.” — CHEF ZELLER, Corporate Executive Chef, Simplot
Dill-icious Chip & Dip To Go
Simple, different, and really hits the spot when you need a quick snack. Serve up some piping hot sea salt chips tossed in dill pickle seasoning and serve with a side of dill pickle avocado spread for dippin’. Seriously dill-icious!
Chilled Veggie Noodle Bowl
These noodle bowls to go are super convenient and taste every bit as good as they look. Packed with veggies, soba noodles, sliced avocado, and pre-dressed with a house-made soy and honey dressing for convenience—and flavor.
Modern Southwestern Veggie Wrap
Super quick to make (and grab), and super delicious to eat. Flame-roasted corn and black beans, peppers and onions, diced avocado, chipotle-lime dressing and cotija cheese are tucked into a spinach-infused tortilla and wrapped up to go.
Greek Tzatziki Snack Box
When a sandwich or salad won’t quite do, give this Greek-inspired snacker a try. Load up a tray with pita triangles, cucumber, tomatoes, Kalamata olives, feta, dolmas and give em’ hummus and cucumber tzatziki avocado for dipping.
From the blog
Handheld Heroes: Late-Night Cravings Go Global
Did you know that 53% of operators believe late-night menus are a long-term trend? Find out how you can dial up your menu to profit from America’s love for late-night gnosh.
Create the Perfect Secret Menu Item in 6 Smart Steps
Ever thought about creating a secret menu? Now is the perfect time! Read on to discover what works and what your customers will love.
Fancy Eats, Familiar Feels: Boujee Breakfasts Offer Elevated Comfort Food
Boujee breakfast doesn't necessarily have to be all fancy, but it does have to be delicious! We offer ingredients and recipe ideas to help you attract your own boujee breakfast crowd.
Mastering Grab-and-Go Menus with Ready-to-Eat Vegetables
If you aren't offering your customers Grab-and-Go or Ready-to-Eat items, you could be missing out on a potential revenue stream. Read on for more information, recipes and ingredient ideas!