Millennials and Gen Z are taking over the dining scene, driving shareable plates across the country. From casual eateries to upscale restaurants, shareable plates have become a culinary staple, shifting towards communal dining experiences and innovative flavor combinations.

Dare to Share

The trend towards shareable plates can be attributed to several factors that resonate with millennials and Gen Z. These generations generally value experiences over goods, and dining is no exception. Shareable plates foster a sense of community, encouraging diners to engage, interact, and savor a variety of flavors together. This communal approach aligns perfectly with the social nature of younger diners who often document their culinary adventures on social media.

Small plates, appetizers, and other shareable dishes offer a practical solution for patrons who crave diversity in their meals. Rather than committing to a single entrée, diners can sample multiple dishes, finding fun ways to try new flavors and ingredients. Added value: This option can accommodate a variety of dining occasions, including between-meal snacks, happy hours, holiday parties, along with traditional brunches and other dayparts.

Fry Movement

Oh my, fries — the golden, crispy wonders that have long captured our hearts. Whether you call them fries, chips, tots, or wedges, they are a cornerstone of the shareable plate’s movement. Their universal appeal, versatility, and limitless possibilities for innovation make fries a perfect canvas for culinary creativity. From waffle and curly to the wedge-shaped and shoestring, there are a range of fun designs to play with.

With deep-v ridges, perfect for dunking, the crinkle-cut fry is one of the fastest-growing segments of fry styles. Studies show that a third of all fries sold in the South Atlantic region of the U.S. are crinkle-cut, with popularity growing in the Midwest, from Minnesota down into the heart of Texas. Inspired by the summer road trip highway that connects these states, West Creek® Highway 40 French Fries are made from premium golden potatoes and crinkle-cut to perfection. They offer a boosted crunch from the added batter, which is seasoned with the combined colors and flavors of jalapeño and red bell pepper, onion, garlic, and paprika. Level up this side-captain as one of the most popular trends today and offer them as a shareable plate-loaded fry option.

Go for a Dip

A shareable’s best friend is the dipping sauce, and these besties are ready to take on the world. From classic ketchup to Sriracha mayo, tzatziki, and specialty dips — dips are like a choose-your-own-adventure book, but tastier.

The edible equivalent of a fireworks display — loaded fries take regular fries and add an array of toppings for an explosion of flavor. Picture this: a mountain of fries buried under layers of melted cheese, bacon bits, green onions, and a dollop of sour cream. Or if you’re feeling fancy, go for fries topped with truffle oil and Parmesan, or go Greek with Greek seasoning, red onion, feta cheese, dill, and parsley, partnered with Simplot® Harvest Fresh® Cucumber Tzatziki Flavored Avocado Spread, perfect for dipping. These loaded creations cater to the desire for bold and diverse flavors, making them a hit among younger diners.

Avocado Advantage

There’s an added emphasis on developing new LTO ideas that connect with consumers without blowing up food costs or slowing down operations. Look to time- and labor-saving products like ready-made spreads and sauces and partner them with shareable dishes.

Known for championing avocado toast, this generation supports a variety of avocado options on menus. Despite the popularity of this green dream, avocados are only featured on 46.8% of menus today, suggesting significant demand is still being unmet. Moreover, when consumers come across avocados at restaurants, they’re often willing to pay a premium for them. LTOs featuring avocado command a 14% higher price than LTOs without avocados. Even more so, sandwiches with avocados command a $2 higher price point on average.

According to research, guacamole has grown 8.6% as a topping or spread for fries over the past four years. Items, such as Simplot® Harvest Fresh® Flavored Avocado Spreads, can be one-of-a-kind mashups of Mexican avocados and chef-inspired ingredients. By leveraging the extraordinary popularity of avocado and on-trend flavors, these spreads add menu appeal, perceived value, and double as tasty dippable options for sides, and small plates. With flavors like Dill Pickle and Cucumber Tzatziki, these scrumptious spreads are great additions to shareable boards and will jazz up any appetizer.

 

Content provided in collaboration with Simplot.