With the changing seasons and cooler weather, some QSRs are adding comfort foods to the menu that feature cheese as a main ingredient. Cheese is a craveable ingredient for consumers, with 60 per cent of restaurant operators saying it helps sell menu items. Research also shows that simply adding cheese to a menu description increases the perceived value of a dish, impacting the price by an average of 69 per cent. But rather than sjust adding cheese to an existing menu, operators are getting more creative, offering innovative dishes with cheese as the star.
KFC Canada has partnered with Cheetos Flamin’ Hot to create a menu that blends two top trends, turning up the heat on comfort foods. The menu introduces the Flamin’ Hot Chicken Sandwich, Flamin’ Hot Fries, Flamin’ Hot Dip Cup, and the Cheetos Dirty Soda that’s topped with crunchy Cheetos Flamin’ Hot. The menu also includes themed merchandise and is available for a limited time across Canada.
Applebee’s has added a new menu item, the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger joins the existing menu favourite, the O-M-Cheese Burger. “Guests can’t get enough of our viral O-M-Cheese Burger, so we’re bringing that same indulgent, cheese-loaded experience to one of our most iconic menu items, the Quesadilla Burger,” said Michelle Chin, chief marketing officer at Applebee’s. “Part burger, part quesadilla, served extra cheesy with a mound of chips ready for dipping, our latest menu mashup takes our iconic Quesadilla Burger and gives it the delicious O-M-Cheese twist.”
Taco Bell recently debuted a new menu item, The Quesarito, available at participating Taco Bell Canada locations starting September 3, for a limited time. The cheesy new feature is a burrito wrapped inside a grilled quesadilla, with seasoned beef, seasoned rice, creamy chipotle sauce, reduced-fat sour cream, cheddar cheese, and nacho cheese sauce.
As comfort foods continue to trend, operators can make them their own by making some of the classics their own, or getting trendy with some simple tweaks like adding hot honey drizzle to pizza, or incorporating a curry mac and cheese to the menu. But it doesn’t just have to focus on cheese! Comfort food is always going to be a consumer favourite, so work on developing your own versions to address diner demand and stand out from the competition.
