May is for Meat
Think Meat This May
Why Meat for May? Good question, with a trio of great answers.
Meat, Meet May!
1. Coronavirus Relaxation
Firstly, Coronavirus restrictions are beginning to lift this month. While some cities have already opened a smattering of retail businesses, others aren't far behind. And while dining rooms may not yet be open, people will be headed back to work and will be looking for satisfying meals to bring home after a long day.
This is where your restaurant and meat come into play. With some markets and grocery stores running into shortages on meat, restaurants can fill the gap and offer diners what they simply can't find in stores. And with the prevalence of family meals and relaxed policies allowing restaurants to sell foods and ingredients retail, it's a golden opportunity.
Even Texas Roadhouse is currently selling ready-to-cook steaks with seasonings, sauces, and cooking instructions. Not a bad idea!
2. May is National BBQ Month
Secondly, May just happens to be National BBQ Month! Yea, that's a real thing! And Americans are renown for jumping on a national food trend. Plus, it's no secret that BBQ and Smoke flavors have been trending for some time now. Therefore, May is the perfect chance to capitalize on the style.
Dallas-based Dickey's BBQ Pit is going all in on National BBQ Month with a six-pack of new sandwich options all customizable with sauce favorites. Items include a Kickin' Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, a Carolina Style Pulled Pork Sandwich, and the Wild Westerner, loaded with hickory-smoked pulled pork, Texas hot sauce, spicy Cheddar kielbasa sausage, cheese, onion rings, pickles and jalapenos all on a toasty westerner bun.
3. Surf & Turf Rising
Nation's Restaurant News recently published an article predicting Surf & Turf as a strong trend rising in the current wake of Coronavirus. The idea of pairing red meat and seafood intersects almost every cuisine, from Filipino to German, while also being readily available on most menus. Therefore, with some creativity and foresight, surf & turf options could be great answers to the questions of "what do customers want?" and "how can we increase revenue?"
Restaurants such as Ocean Prime, The Cheesecake Factory, and Outback Steakhouse have all quickly realized the potential for this pairing and are driving it on their menus. So ask yourself, what does your surf & turf option look like?
Steak Knives Required
There you have it, keep meat on the min this May and you'll be sure to increase traffic. Plus, a nicely cooked piece of meat maintains its integrity out of the restaurant and back to your customers home. It's that kind of transportable quality that will be important in menu designs to come in a post coronavirus world.
Cheers!
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