According to a new study by the restaurant industry research company Datassentials, pizza continues to rule among a majority of consumers, seeing notable strides in recent years (notable during a challenging time). Here are a few of the key takeaways and ideas for how to implement trends in your own menu.

To-Go and Take & Bake

Not surprisingly, demand for off-site dining was huge for pizza during the pandemic. In addition to delivery and carry out, consumers opted for take & bake options, breathing new life into this category. Translatable to many types of cuisine, take & bake options can be a good way to increase online sales, positioning the option as ‘a meal for now, and a meal for later.’ Identify existing menu items that can you package up with necessary ingredients and prep instructions for the home cook and add a few to your online menu as a test run.

Healthier

While pizza isn’t necessarily known for its dietary benefits, this study showed that consumers are looking for healthier options here as well. Cauliflower crust pizzas and toppings like avocado, kale, and arugula were on the rise. This shows that consumers crave comfort while also looking for some more healthful-seeming options. Look for ways to swap out refined carbs (pasta and bread made with white flour, white rice, etc) for more nutrient-dense grains. These can be options that you available for an additional charge, which helps keep your own food costs in check while providing a benefit to the consumer.

International Influences

Maybe it was the lack of travel, but recent years also saw an increased interest in global flavors in pizza, specifically Mexican and Thai. This highlights a growing sense of adventure among consumers and suggests that it might be the right time to try adding less well-known international ingredients to your own menu, as long as it makes sense for your brand. Fusion dishes can be a fun way to incorporate these ingredients into your existing menu items.

Breakfast All Day

As a daypart, breakfast is making a big comeback. According to the Datassentials report, “Breakfast pizza, currently on 2.9% of menus, is expected to grow 15% in the next four years.” In addition to offering quick and convenient breakfast options during the morning hours, it makes sense to try out some breakfast options throughout the day. With ingredients that are typically lower in cost, breakfast foods can be a good option for menu expansion with a lower investment on your part.