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5 Snack Opportunities to Meet Consumer Demand & Boost Sales

The line between meals and snacks is increasingly blurred, with no signs of slowing down. Consumers seek elevated, craveable, functional snacks that fill them up quickly and conveniently. Foodservice operators who understand this trend and provide aligned menu solutions will attract new traffic and boost profits.

WHY DO WE SNACK, AND HOW CAN YOU SATISFY?

Functional & Better-For-You Snacking

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Snacking motivations go beyond cravings. Consumers are looking to fuel up with protein, energize, caffeinate, improve gut health, or check off a better-for-you portion in their diet. Feed the need(s) with high-protein, filling snacks that deliver flavor and functionality.

Plant-Based Power Ups

Delicious pizza crusts, pinsa, pita & flatbreads made with 20%+ cauliflower

Indulgent Snacking

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“Little treat” culture still runs the snacking world. While ambitions may be to eat healthier snacks, consumers still opt for indulgence more than half the time. Create ‘treat myself’ moments with baked, beverage, and savory temptations.

BELOVED BRANDS WITH A TWIST

Ready-to-serve specialty cheesecakes and dessert slices

On-The-Go Snacking

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Busy schedules are another primary motivator for replacing meals with a snack. Handhelds that can be prepared quickly and eaten in the car can meet that “I’ll grab something on the way,” need.

Snacks To Start the Day

Though the most common on-the-go meal occasion, 20% of operators don’t offer snack items during Breakfast (Datassential)

STRETCH THE DEFINITION OF SNACKING

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Don’t just think of snacks as apps and desserts. Anything can be a snack if it is portioned properly! Drinks are becoming increasingly popular as a snack option: More than half of Gen-Z is likely to order a blended beverage as a snack (Datassential).

SNACKS YOU CAN DRINK

Milkshakes, smoothies, blended coffees and more at the touch of a button with the f’real B7 Foodservice Blender (Datassential)

LATE NIGHT SNACKING

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It’s late, much of your team has gone home, but your consumers’ cravings are peaking. Late night snacking menus can deliver lucrative efficiency with classic and craved-for offerings easy and quick for a smaller team to execute consistently.

Stars of the Late Show

Freezer-to-oven easy mozz sticks, jalapeño and cornbread poppers, cheesy flatbread and more

Limited Service Restaurant Business Solution

CRAVING MORE SNACKING TIPS AND SOLUTIONS?

Explore our Limited Service Restaurants page, packed with insight and inspiration for snackifying every daypart.

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How Employee Engagement Can Drive More Traffic and Sales

Traffic-driving strategies go beyond your menu and the value you provide. An engaged, content, and well-trained workforce can lead directly to the food and guest experiences that fuel loyalty and growth. Let’s break down a few tactics and priorities proven to pay off. 

TRAINING & RETENTION TACTICS

EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT 

CULTIVATE YOUR CULTURE

Beyond fair compensation, benefits and work-life flexibility, a strong culture means lower turnover. Define your mission, vision and values; propose it to the broader team for input to create ownership. 

EMPOWER EMPLOYEES

Trust your team with new responsibilities, listen to their ideas, and help them set and reach personal goals. 

CELEBRATE SUCCESS

From a simple team text, to announcements in meetings, or shared rewards for hitting goals, recognizing achievements boosts employee satisfaction and fosters a sense of shared accomplishment.  

INNOVATIVE TRAINING

CROSS-TRAINING STAFF

By instilling new skills in workers, you boost flexibility and eliminate the need for overtime while alleviating staffing shortages or absenteeism. 

LEVERAGE YOUR SUPPLIERS

Quality suppliers support their products. Rich’s industry-leading team of Culinarians ready to provide on-site training and troubleshooting to ensure our products and your team always perform at their best. 

RICH’S ACADEMY

Rich’s free, on-demand training platform provides skills training, expert instruction and menu innovation — ideal for a digitally-savvy workforce. 

SIMPLIFYING PROCESSES 

SCRATCH REPLACEMENT

Eliminating and simplifying prep by adding with speed scratch items results in consistent performance that drives consumer loyalty. 

PARTNERSHIP BEYOND PRODUCTS

At Rich’s, we stay by your side with innovative menu items, handling help and strategies that enhance customer engagement and boost traffic — all at no extra cost. to you. 

RICH’S FURTHER FINISHED SOLUTIONS 

Limited Service Restaurant Business Solution

Hungry for more innovation?

Explore our Limited Service Restaurants page, packed with insight and inspiration for every daypart.

Subscribe to the LSR Newsletter!

Explore data and insight that will inspire successful evolutions for your Quick Service or Fast Casual operation. Sign up today to never miss an issue of our Limited Service Restaurant Newsletter!

 

Take me back to the Resource Center!