Serve Standout LTOs with Turkey
March 2018
From 2010 to 2017, limited-time offerings grew by at least 80% at limited-service and full-service chains. These dishes that bring new flavors to the menu are the key to increasing diners’ interest and driving traffic to your operation. When executed correctly, an LTO has the power to create excitement and turn occasional guests into repeat customers.
When it comes to LTOs, diners are seeking menu items that are unique and craveable. No matter the dish you decide to introduce as an LTO, it’s important to make sure your promotions have a specific end date. Diners are driven by the sense of urgency and perceived rarity.
Use these tips to ensure you’re serving the most profitable, most flavorful offerings:
- Start simple to appeal to the widest range of customers. Try enhancing a familiar dish or protein with distinctive ingredients. This Queso Mac and Cheese has all the components of a classic comfort food, plus a few spiced-up ingredients to add interest.
- Seasonal flavors lend themselves perfectly to LTOs. The promise of a delicious seasonal dish can leave guests counting down the days until the menu item returns. For summer menus, try using fresh figs in this Turkey & Fig Panini.
- Aligning flavors with special times can mean more than using seasonal produce or ingredients. Holidays call for fun takes on traditional menu items to surprise and delight guests. Think heart-shaped pancakes for Valentine’s Day brunch or bringing specific regional flavors to your menu for a limited time. This Turkey Burger Fajita Salad would make a tasty Cinco De Mayo lunch or dinner offering
Find more delicious LTO ideas starring turkey in our Culinary Center, and check our Facebook page for our latest and greatest menu inspiration.
SOURCES:
Marks, Jaclyn. Creating LTOs customers line up for, SmartBrief, August 2017.
Moran, Dana. 3 successful LTO strategies, FoodService Director, February 2017.
Schenkel, Katie. What to Know About the LTO: Limited Time Offers in Restaurants, Rewards Network, October 2016.
