Quench guests thirst for seasonal beverages
Quench guests thirst for seasonal beverages
As the weather heats up, so does the demand for unique ice-cold beverages. Seasonal beverages are big business for foodservice operators and the summer time offers limitless options. Sonic® recently introduced new Limeade and Lemonade frozen options, while Starbucks® recently launched Fizzio™ Handcrafted sodas and their newest caffeine fix, Nitro Cold Brew Coffee (expected to launch this summer in over 1,000 U.S. stores).Consumers have come to expect seasonal beverage options just like seasonal food offerings. For operators, according to the NPD Group, the increased traffic and revenue from seasonal drinks are as tantalizing and even increase the likelihood of food purchase.
While operators might love the idea of additional revenue, consumers are discerning about their seasonal beverage offerings. Here are some tips for creating picture-perfect summer LTO beverage options:
- Review current beverage trends for inspiration
- Take stock of current beverage offerings, determine simple changes like adding seasonal flavors or fresh seasonal produce to create a new twist on traditional beverages
- Utilized local or regional offerings to create one-of-a-kind beverages
- Market drinks using terms that resonate with customers like handcrafted, organic, freshly squeezed, locally produced, etc.
