Plus Up Program by admin Packed with nutrition and ready to enhance the flavors on your menu Peanut butter is a much-loved ingredient for patrons, young and old. From its use in comforting baked goods to exotic new flavors, there are endless ways to PLUS UP with peanut butter in foodservice. The use of peanuts and peanut butter has been steadily increasing. Technomic Inc.’s MenuMonitor reports 38.8 percent of casual dining chains menued peanuts in the second quarter of 2015, followed by quick service concepts, 29.9 percent; fast casual, 20.0 percent; fine dining, 7.1 percent; and midscale, 6.1 percent. Peanut butter is the menu leader, followed by peanuts and peanut sauce. Don’t hesitate to reach out if Southern Peanut Growers can be a resource to your foodservice operation. Explore NutritionPeanut butter is an easy and delicious way to add protein (a hot nutrition trend) to various menu items. Explore InnovationExplore adventurous culinary offerings where peanut butter drives demand. Think: peanut butter and bacon jam burger or hot global cuisines. Explore ProfitabilityRealize the economic impact of adding peanut butter to menus. PLUS UP NutritionPLUS UP InnovationPLUS UP ProfitabilityPLUS UP NutritionPeanut butter is an easy (and delicious) way to add protein to various menu items.The Power of Protein A recent Technomic MenuMonitor study found that 75 percent of people perceive foods high in protein as being healthier, and 39 percent are willing to pay extra for them. This is an opportunity not only for QSR and FSR, but university, corporate and hospitality foodservice businesses as well. Peanut Butter Protein Boosts Give low-protein foods a boost by incorporating peanut butter in more items. Power-packed Breakfasts From ready-to-eat hot and cold cereals to baked goods, breakfast gets a power-packed protein boost from peanut butter. Bake it in, or spread it on — you can’t go wrong. And don’t forget about smoothies and on-the-go beverages! Now Trending: Toast With Toast Bars popping up around the country, peanut butter is an ideal toast topper because of its endless flavor combinations. Try honey or chocolate chips for sweeter options, or experiment with savory flavors like Sriracha or pickles. From Soup to Nuts Add ground peanuts or peanut butter to soups and stews to thicken the stock, or use as a substitute for traditional roux (a mixture of butter and flour used to give a silky texture to the soup base) for a vegan and gluten-free option. Good to Know! Facts and figures about peanut butter + nutrition. Peanut butter is a nutrient-rich food, joining the ranks of avocado and hard-boiled eggs as a topping for everything! All-natural peanut powder is made by crushing peanuts to remove most of the oil, resulting in a nutrient-dense food that has more than twice the protein of all-purpose flour. There are no GMO peanuts on the market. In fact, the modern-day peanut is 99.9% identical to its ancestors. In addition to its protein content (8 grams per serving), peanut butter also contains fiber (2 grams per serving). PLUS UP InnovationExplore adventurous culinary offerings to drive demand and increase profits with peanut butter.Stock Check! It’s likely that peanut butter is already in your kitchen. Peanut butter is a double-duty ingredient that adds flavor to the juiciest burger and creamiest milkshake. What other ingredient can find a place in nearly every menu section? In fact, Mintel Foodservice Trends 2017 noted that 35 percent of U.S. consumers say unique flavors or ingredients in familiar dishes would entice them to try new menu items. Consider peanut butter as a way to do just that! Make Your Menu Sticky! Give your menu a reason to “stick” in your customers’ minds by incorporating peanut butter in more items. Shake Up Your Burger Menu Bacon and peanut butter are a dynamic flavor combo – look for peanut butter and bacon jam or crunchy peanut butter with candied bacon bits. Milkshakes & Malts Upsell shakes by adding peanut butter to classic vanilla or chocolate treats! Softening the peanut butter – or choosing new peanut powders available – can help blend it more evenly. Ice Cream, You Scream…for PB? Peanut butter is tasty and functional too! Prevent leaky cones and sticky hands by placing a dollop of peanut butter at the bottom of the cone to seal the hole. I’ll Have Fries with That No order of fries is complete without a dipping sauce – start with peanut butter as a base and build the flavor from there! Spicy Thai? Mole? The possibilities are endless. Good to Know! Facts and figures about peanut butter + innovation. According to the National Restaurant Association (NRA) 2017 Culinary Forecast, creating house-made condiments is a growing trend. Global flavors continue to grow in popularity, and there are numerous opportunities for peanut butter as it has roots in much of the world’s cuisine. Customization not only provides a point of differentiation for these items, but can also drive a higher price point as well. Innovation is sticky – er, contagious! The right combination could become the next hot trend in your city. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. PLUS UP ProfitabilityRealize the economic impact of adding peanut butter to menus.Profit Punch Across Your Menu Just a few tablespoons of peanut butter can entice sales and lift the profit margin of any menu cohort. Peanut butter remains one of the most cost-effective ingredients. And no matter where it falls on your menu, it sticks to your bottom line! Reasons to Stick with Peanut Butter Protein for Pennies One of the hot trends to keep an eye out for is veggie-forward restaurants. According to Mintel Menu Insights, vegetables as center of the plate grew two percent from Q3 2013-16. For mere pennies, you can combat a lack of protein in these dishes (now in high-demand from carnivores and herbivores alike) by adding peanut butter in center of the plate menu items such as pastas, noodle bowls and entrée salads. Long Shelf-life Peanut butter has a relatively long shelf life. General guidelines for storage are 6 to 9 months unopened, and 2 to 3 months after opening. Some foodservice operators prefer to store peanut butter in a refrigerator or freezer if space is available. Elvis Has Left the Building…but Not the Menu It’s long been documented Elvis Presley’s love for peanut butter. In fact, he is the architect of the now-famous Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Sandwich. Riffs off Elvis’ iconic ingredient trio have been gracing menus for decades, so make sure these fun items stand out on your menu. According to a study from Cornell University, people choose descriptive menu items 27 percent more than normally labeled menu choices. The King Grilled cheese is a menu staple for both kids and adults, so PLUS UP the original panini by adding some of the King’s favorite “condiments” of bananas, bacon and, of course, peanut butter! All Shook Up Turn a classic Bananas Foster upside down with a creamy peanut butter sauce complete with salty bacon crumbles, or blend up all the ingredients to tap into the latest trend of extravagant shakes.