Food Trends: Innovations in Foodservice Formats and Offerings
Foodservice operators are constantly evolving to meet consumer demands and capture their interest through innovative formats, seasonal launches, and limited-time offerings. Let’s take a look at some recent developments in the industry.
Papa Johns Revives Pan Pizza
Atlanta-based Papa Johns is bringing back the nostalgia of pan pizza after over eight years. The revamped pan pizza features Parmesan cheese and Papa Johns’ signature garlic sauce baked into the crust, along with a six-cheese blend. Jenna Bromberg, Chief Marketing Officer of Papa Johns, expressed the company’s excitement about reintroducing this beloved item to their menu.
“After nearly a decade, we’ve reimagined Pan Pizza to bring it back onto our menu,” said Bromberg. “Consumer expectations for flavor and value are higher than ever. And the pan pizza category is crowded, which is why we took a deliberate, consumer-led approach to developing the perfect recipe, and focused on getting every detail right. Pan pizza is nostalgic, indulgent and so beloved, and we saw the chance to elevate a pan-style pizza in a way that feels distinctly Papa Johns.”
Dunkin’ Delights for Valentine’s Day
Dunkin’ has introduced a range of new beverages in time for Valentine’s Day. The lineup includes three strawberry dragonfruit-based refreshers, along with the heart eyes daydream refresher, the chocolate covered strawberry daydream refresher, and the blush spritz refresher. Additionally, Dunkin’ has brought back the popular brownie batter classic donut for the holiday season.
Anthony Epter, Vice President of Menu Innovation at Dunkin’, shared his excitement about the Valentine’s Day offerings. “Brownie batter is the kind of donut our guests mark their calendar for — rich, chocolate-forward and undeniably Dunkin’,” said Epter. “For Valentine’s Day, we built the rest of the lineup to match that same feel-good indulgence, from bold espresso sips to fruit-forward refreshers, plus protein milk-based options that still feel like a treat.”
Jersey Mike’s Limited-Time Hot Italian Sandwich
Sandwich chain Jersey Mike’s has introduced the limited-time Mike’s Hot Italian sandwich, featuring a combination of ham, salami, and pepperoni with melted provolone cheese, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, and chopped pepper relish. This marks the company’s first hot sandwich featuring chopped Italian meats, catering to the preferences of their customers.
These innovative offerings and formats showcase the ever-evolving landscape of the foodservice industry, with brands constantly striving to meet consumer demands and preferences. Whether it’s revisiting nostalgic favorites or introducing limited-time specials, foodservice operators are committed to providing unique and exciting options for their customers.