Spring on Seasonal LTOs

March 16, 2022

March is finally here! The long-awaited arrival of spring brings new LTOs to foodservice menus everywhere. Some of this month’s highlights include innovative new flavors in beverages, a spotlight on seafood and the return of some fan favorites. Check out my top picks for must-try limited-time offers that are guaranteed to get you feeling inspired for the season.

Flavorful seafood offerings are filling up menus in honor of the Lenten season. White Castle is reintroducing their Shrimp Nibblers. Tender butterflied shrimp tossed in a buttermilk-flavored batter and fried to perfection. Hurry, these nibblers are only available through April 17th.

Image: WhiteCastle.com

Arby’s is now offering their King’s Hawaiian® Fish Deluxe meal. The meal offers a sandwich made with a crispy fish fillet, topped with cheddar cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato and tartar sauce on a toasted King’s Hawaiian® Roll–– a crunchy, tangy and totally craveworthy combination.

Image: Arbys.com

Operators have taken notice of the ongoing ask for plant-based proteins on menus, and Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar is capitalizing on consumer demand, making their Impossible Burger and Cheeseburger permanent menu items.

In addition to upping their plant-based burger game, the national chain is getting into the St. Patty’s Day spirit with their duo of Saintly Sips cocktails. The Tipsy Leprechaun combines Jamison Irish Whiskey, melon liqueur, blue curacao, sweet-and-sour mix and lemon-lime soda with a gold sugar rim. The Pot O’ Gold Colada is a frozen cocktail with Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum, coconut cream, pineapple, lime juice and a swirl of mango puree––only available until March 27th.

Image: Applebees.com

Image: Applebees.com

Scooter’s Coffee is also introducing some holiday-inspired treats within their LTO list. Their Lucky Leprechaun combines mint flavor with espresso, steamed milk and white chocolate and is then finished with whipped cream and Andes mint chips. Look no further than the Pot O’ Gold Latte if you’re looking for a caramel coffee fix, crafted with espresso, steamed milk, caramel and butterscotch, then topped with whipped cream and an additional drizzle of caramel sauce. Both beverages are offered hot, iced or blended and are available through late March.

Looking for more sweet inspiration? Check out their Butterscotch Cold Foam, Chocolate Mint Chip Cookies and Red Velvet Cake Bites.

Image: Scooter's Coffee Instagram

Image: Scooter's Coffee Instagram

Nothing quite says spring like a fruity, floral and colorful juice refreshment. First Watch introduced their new beverage, The Purple Haze, which combines lemon, cane sugar, butterfly pea flower tea and a hint of lavender resulting in a vibrant purple hue that is truly Instagram worthy.

Image: First Watch Instagram

Chick-fil-A is bringing back a fan favorite, the Smokehouse BBQ Bacon Sandwich. The mouthwatering creation is made with marinated grilled chicken breast, Colby-Jack cheese, green-leaf lettuce, peppered brown sugar bacon and Smokehouse BBQ sauce. The sandwich will be available until April 23rd or while supplies last.

Image: Chick-fil-A Instagram

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is also taking a dip in the LTO pool with a variety of new beverages available through May 15th. The Roscato Moscato Wine and the Roscato Sweet Red Wine offer a chilled, sweet and slightly fizzy option, while the Jack Daniel’s Country Cocktails Lynchburg Lemonade packs a bit more punch with the addition of whiskey. For those looking for a non-alcoholic offer, the Fruit Stand Tea is a tasty combination of peach, apricot and dark cherry flavors that encompass all the sweetness of the season.

Image: nrn.com

LTOs are a fantastic way to innovate menus with new flavors, trends and seasonally relevant offerings. When executed correctly, they create excitement and satisfy consumer needs for new and inspiring dishes that increase revenue for operators.

Create your own profit-boosting LTOs while increasing your thought leadership in 2022 with our innovation worksheets. Contact Sherry Gorsich, Director of Business Development & Strategic Partnerships at CSSI at sherry.gorsich@cssiculinary.com for more details.

Skylar Skidmore
Senior Marketing Manager, Marlin Network

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SUNDAY MORNING SCONES

February 28, 2023

March 1st, 2023 We’re thrilled to introduce the newest addition to our culinary family: Chef Steve Madonna. Formally trained in both Italy and the United States, as well as having worked for Wolfgang Puck, Chef Steve brings an extensive set of connections and culinary knowledge to our already stacked chef roster. Featured in this month’s issue is one of Chef Steve’s favorite recipes for making memories at home with your loved ones.

Chef Austin’s Pumpkin Pie Milk Punch

October 19, 2022

October 19, 2022 Pumpkin pie is a nostalgic menu item and my personal favorite when it comes to fall and winter menus, as it goes hand in hand with a traditional Thanksgiving or Christmas feast. We elevate the nostalgia by turning this must-have holiday dish into a clarified cocktail that leaves your taste buds as curious as your eyes. We get adventurous as we replace expected visual elements with an ice-cold glass of clarified liquors infused with pumpkin pie. This cocktail defies all visual expectations, while leaving your sense of smell and taste immersed in a seasonally nostalgic experience.

The Great Canadian Snack Game

October 19, 2022

October 19, 2022 Canada is well known for many things. Hockey, snow, maple syrup, and a few other stereotypical but somewhat accurate concepts may immediately come to mind. What you may not know, though, is how invested we are in the snacks that we consume. Compared to the U.S., sure, we are no match for the quantity and variety offered in the land of the free, home of the snacks. However, what we know in our hearts is that Canada has a long-standing, tried-and-true, flawed, yet beloved top-notch snack game. I’m talking about comfort foods that have become so integrated and so established that they are classified as cult-favourites—and no, I did not spell favourites incorrectly. You are about to see a lot more of the letter “U” in this article. Sorry! The great Canadian snack game is easy enough to understand. You think of a flavour and either slap it on a potato or pair it with chocolate. Snacking has always been a huge part of Canadian food culture, but it is only going up from here. To put it lightly, the past few years have been tough on everyone around the world, and Canadians have chosen to increase their spending on snacks by 67% as an indulgence or, personally, as a coping mechanism. In no way, shape, or form am I claiming to be a culinary expert somehow employed in the field of Finance, but I have eaten a lot in my life and right now, I’m the best and/or only Canadian guide you’ve got. Let’s get into the details: