• Press Releases

June 16, 2014

Burger Season Drives Demand for Butterball Foodservice Turkey Burgers as Healthier, Cost-Efficient and Flavorful Alternative

The season for all things grilled is now in full…

The season for all things grilled is now in full swing, and consumers are again searching for new and better burgers. According to the National Restaurant Association’s What’s Hot 2014 Culinary Forecast, almost half of the 1,300 chefs surveyed said that gourmet or specialty burgers are a hot trend. With the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting beef prices at record highs, operators need options to deliver burgers that delight consumer taste buds while keeping food costs in check. Turkey is in a prime position to meet the demand for a flavorful, low-cost alternative. To help chefs and operators benefit from this opportunity, Butterball Foodservice has developed a full line of delicious turkey burgers that are easily customizable to fit a wide variety of flavor profiles and patron taste preferences. Butterball makes it easier than ever to add innovative burgers to your menu by offering:

• All American Grill Turkey Burger—This traditional American burger is all dark meat with a classic grilled flavor.
• Savory White Turkey Burger—A perfect choice for health-conscious diners, this burger is made from top-grade all white meat.
• All Natural Turkey Thigh Burger—Made from 100% thigh meat, this is Butterball’s most premium burger.
• Mediterranean Turkey Burger—This flavorful burger is made from all white meat and lightly seasoned with garlic and pepper.

In addition, Butterball Ground Turkey can serve as the foundation for chefs to create their own signature burgers. For a unique twist, combine ground turkey with ground beef to create a healthier, more cost-effective alternative to the standard burger. Or try these recipes for inspiration: Three Philosophers Sliders—distinct flavor profiles of sour, salty and sweet to delight patrons, and the Hawaiian Turkey Burger—grilled pineapple, fresh cucumber, arugula, green onion and sweet soy sauce evokes the sweet and tangy flavor of the tropics. Richie Jenkins, Butterball Foodservice’s Senior Director of Marketing, said, “As a healthier, more cost-effective alternative to beef, turkey’s versatility makes it the perfect on-trend choice for any foodservice operator. Whether it’s a chef seeking a customizable platform for specialty burgers or patrons seeking new flavorful burger offerings, conditions are right for 2014 to be the summer of turkey burgers.” For more product information and recipe ideas, visit www.ButterballFoodservice.com. About Butterball Foodservice: For more than 50 years, Butterball, LLC has been a leader and innovator in the turkey industry. Headquartered in Garner, N.C., Butterball is the world’s largest vertically integrated turkey processor. As a division of Butterball, LLC, Butterball Foodservice is committed to responsibly supplying the highest quality products with the highest level of customer service. Butterball Foodservice gives chefs and operators even more reasons to love turkey with great-tasting products and menu ideas patrons love.For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.ButterballFoodservice.com. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

SOURCES: National Restaurant Association, What’s Hot 2014 Culinary Forecast (2014) U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Price Outlook (2014)