Smoothies Continue to Shake Up Menus
The reason why smoothies are so popular isn’t rocket science: they’re quick, versatile, nutritious, and delicious. Smoothies are the perfect food for anyone who wants to make sure that they consume an optimal diet packed with essential nutrients. Even the busiest person can grab a smoothie from their local smoothie shop when they’re on the go. Smoothies also offer endless possibilities for personalization, so each one of your customers can get precisely the combination of ingredients and flavors that they want in their blended meal or snack. If you’re considering adding smoothies to your fast-casual restaurant menu, you should be aware of some current trends.
Starting with the basics
If you intend to sell smoothies, you need to know that there are a couple of “golden rules.” One is to be sure that you offer the option to your patrons to customize their drinks. Being able to create a smoothie just for you is a big part of the appeal. Also, even if your restaurant is a sit-down establishment, you’ll want to offer “boosts” that your customers can choose to add to their smoothies, such as immune booster, protein, energy, or ingredients with other specific functions. Many of your customers will expect this, and it can also add to your profit margin.
Adding international zing
Today’s adventurous consumer seeks out surprising flavors, and adding global culinary trends to your smoothie menu is a great way to satiate them. Tropical smoothies are a great example of this, but there are many other possibilities, such as Horchata, a Spanish drink made of rice, nuts, and almond milk. Lassi is another choice – an Indian yogurt drink that blends delicious fruits and spices and is widely available in juice bars and on smoothie menus.
Replacing meals
Another one of the huge advantages of drinking smoothies for busy (and lazy) people is that it allows them to get the complete nutrition of a meal without the hassle of cooking. Many consumers are also learning more about the harmful effects of fast food and switching to healthier options, even when they’re in a hurry. You can reach more of these consumers by including smoothie options with a variety of nutritious and filling ingredients, such as peanut butter, fruits, oats, and chia seeds. Vegetables often work great in smoothies in the right combinations as well, such as mango and pineapple combined with spinach and kale.
If you would like to create unique and delicious smoothies for your customers, now is the time. Feel free to experiment with our natural flavor ingredients to find your exciting new smoothie offerings.