When it comes to poppin’ profit margins, popcorn is hard to beat. It’s crunchy, crave-worthy, fun to eat, and the good news for restaurants is it’s also extremely inexpensive to make.
Snack foods are popping up on menus all over the country, appealing to Gen Z, budget-conscious consumers, and anyone who loves a good nosh. Popcorn is also a blank slate with a neutral flavor that can go sweet or savory, showcasing whatever flavor profiles you choose. Let’s look at a few ideas for including popcorn on your menu.
Trendy Snacks
Popcorn is a great addition to a bar menu or your selection of appetizers. Because it’s a blank slate, popcorn is a good vehicle for working with trending flavors. Choose flavors that are relevant to your menu, including seasonings and spices you already have on-hand for existing menu items to create a sense of cohesiveness with your new popcorn offering.
Some examples of trending flavors include dill pickle, swicy seasonings like FLAVORSMITH® Sweet Heat Hot Honey, salted caramel, tajin, and s’mores. You can also use popcorn to embrace seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice or chocolate and peppermint. (If popcorn becomes a successful category for your restaurant, you could even sell your own seasoning blend for guests to use at home.)
The type of oil you use can make a big difference in the taste and texture of the popcorn, so be sure to choose clean, neutral, supreme options like Brilliance Premium Oils®.
Let’s Get Poppin’
There are tons of ways to add popcorn to your menu beyond just offering it as a tasty snack. Get creative by incorporating popcorn into soups and salads as a crunchy topper or combine popcorn with other corn-forward dishes like cornbread or Mexican street corn.
On the beverage menu, popcorn can provide an exciting garnish for cocktails or milkshakes, and on the dessert menu, popcorn is right at home in crème brûlée, mixed with caramel for a sundae topping, or as part of a tart or cheesecake crust.
Holiday Pops
The holidays are a great time to introduce popcorn as a menu item. To launch the new offering, surprise select guests with a complimentary serving of your new popcorn and encourage them to spread the word. You may also want to invest in some bags you can use to neatly package pre-popped popcorn for a welcome gift with cocktails or an end-of-meal treat to serve with a digestif.
Get festive with your popcorn and embrace the holiday season with mixes made with sweet flavors and holiday-themed sprinkles, candy, and other add-ons as well as holiday-themed packaging. Since it’s gift-giving season, you may also want to consider packing up popcorn as a charming gift option that guests can purchase to-go.
Finally, adding a popcorn option for holiday catering is a wise way to create a fun, memorable experience for a small investment. A gourmet popcorn bar where guests “dress their own” popcorn using a variety of toppings would be especially fun.
Movie & Trivia Night
If you host events like movie screenings or trivia nights, consider adding popcorn to your snack menu or offering it as part of your event, presented on the table as guests arrive. It’s an extra special touch that film fans will appreciate.
There are a couple best-in-class popcorn producers under the Performance umbrella — Preferred Popcorn, out of the Midwest corn belt, offers customizable bulk items; and Great Western Products supply theater-style popcorn, oil, and other supplies for movie or trivia nights. Consult your local sales representative for service in your area.
