In the restaurant game, it’s always essential to take stock of where you can make your ingredients multi-task. And pizza products are among the most versatile out there!
In fact, a poll published recently by worldmetrics.org found that 93% of Americans eat pizza at least once a month*. So, save on labor and maximize your inventory, all while you rake in the dough with these pizza-centric tips.
Double Up the Dough
A pizza has very little to stand on without a solid crust — and whether that's thin, thick, or gluten-free, it's time to make that dough your guests rave about work double for you.
Making extra dough, or using up leftovers (if you have any!), saves on the cost of buying, space to store, and labor to make other ingredients. From sweet to savory, your dough can work in a multitude of ways.
Having a couple traditional salads — like a Caesar or Panzanella — is a great menu option for easy upsells. Why not make your own croutons and crusted bread for these classics using your homemade dough instead of ordering two separate ingredients? Plus, the perk of touting the word "homemade" on your menu will never go out of style.
Dough So Sweet
Go a completely different route by turning that dough into dessert. Sure, we've all heard of dessert pizza, but in this case going the unconventional route will wow guests and ensure even if they don't have room, they're definitely taking something sweet home.
Try rolling dough super thin to mimic a phyllo dough for something baklava-esque. Or fold cold butter into your dough to create a flakier version that can be rolled with brown sugar and Magellan® Pecans for sticky buns. You could even roll Roma® Dough into small balls, make a hole in the center, and whip up donuts. A pizza AND donut place? Folks will never stay away!
Pro tip: Dough can be frozen and defrosted in the fridge overnight or at room temp for eight hours.
Take Off with Take-Home
Sometimes you want a meal that feels homemade but don't have time or know-how to take on ALL the steps. Tap into the popularity of "take-n-bake" trends and consider what you could offer to give guests more of a home-cooked meal feel.
Take-n-bake pizzas are solid options that allow guests to cook at their own pace while still bringing in revenue and keeping your ovens open for in-house orders. Other low-labor options to complete the meal (or to provide a "pick three" build-you-own menu option) could be tubs of cookie dough or fresh salad kits. Provide branded plates, napkins, and even drinks. A full meal deal that includes a choice of apps, salad, dessert, and beverages impresses and goes way beyond takeout.
Offer Off-Sale
Maybe it's your secret sauce that's been passed down from generation to generation. Maybe it's your perfected Italian sausage recipe, or to-die-for Caesar salad dressing. Do you have an in-house specialty that folks flock in for? Capitalize on your signature ingredients by putting branded jars and bottles on shelves or packages in coolers near the entryway — and of course, online!
Remember, fresh is preferable, so make sure to date visibly. Offer a coupon with a dine-in meal, run a monthly BOGO, and donate gift baskets to local events featuring your merch, gift cards, and packaged goods to spread the word.
*worldmetrics.org/pizza-consumption-statistics/
