Foodservice Operators Innovate with Handheld Formats, Beverage Offerings, and Value Platforms
Foodservice operators are constantly looking for new ways to capture consumer attention, and recent trends show a focus on handheld formats, beverage innovations, and value platforms.
Sweetgreen Introduces Protein-Packed Wraps to Menu
Sweetgreen, known for its bowls, salads, and plated meals, has expanded its menu with a new line of wraps. Each wrap features an extra virgin olive oil tortilla and boasts over 40 grams of protein. Options include classic chicken Caesar, chicken jalapeño ranch, Cali chicken club, and Korean barbecue chicken.
“We put a lot of effort into developing this new platform, from creating a new tortilla to sourcing top-quality ingredients like white cheddar and bacon. Our goal was to maintain the fresh, flavorful experience our customers expect from us,” said Jonathan Neman, co-founder and CEO of Sweetgreen.
McDonald’s Unveils Specialty Beverage Line
McDonald’s has recently launched a range of specialty drinks, including three refreshers and three crafted sodas. The refreshers feature freeze-dried fruit and popping boba in flavors like strawberry watermelon, mango pineapple, and blackberry passion fruit. The crafted sodas come with flavor mixers and cold foam toppings, offering unique options such as Sprite berry blast, orange dream, and Dirty Dr Pepper.
“Our customers have a real passion for beverages, viewing them as more than just a drink. With our new lineup, we aim to make our beverages a key reason for visiting McDonald’s,” said Alyssa Buetikofer, chief marketing and customer experience officer for McDonald’s USA.
Subway Launches Fresh Value Menu
Subway has rolled out its Fresh Value Menu, featuring 15 entrees priced under $5. New additions to the menu include the spicy pepperoni sandwich, loaded with aged pepperoni, pepper jack cheese, Roma tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, jalapeños, and sriracha, as well as the ham and salami sandwich, packed with Black Forest ham, Genoa salami, bologna, provolone cheese, Roma tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, and mayonnaise.
This value platform marks Subway’s first foray into offering budget-friendly options, providing customers with affordable yet delicious choices.
By incorporating these innovative offerings, foodservice operators are staying ahead of the curve and meeting the evolving demands of today’s consumers.