If you own a takeaway, you’ve got some serious competition on your hands with more and more businesses opening up all the time. That’s why it’s important to stay one step ahead of the rest with fresh new ideas for your menu.
With summer just around the corner, the changing season offers the perfect opportunity to do just that. So we thought we’d come up with a few suggestions to help you freshen up your offerings and bring in more customers this summer.
Smoothies
We all love a refreshing smoothie when the weather’s warm, and that includes your customers. So why not knock up some mouth-watering beverages and cash in on this summer trend?
Smoothies are easy to make and the ingredients are pretty cheap to buy. And with a large smoothie usually fetching at least a fiver, the profit margins are massive!
So the next time you’re at the cash-and-carry, pick up a blender, ice and some frozen fruit and you’re ready to start making your very own smoothies. Whether you want to get creative with your flavours or keep it simple is all down to you, but there are plenty of combos for you to get started.
Salads
Who doesn’t love a refreshing, nutritious salad in summer? On those swelteringly hot days when the thought of hot food sounds like actual hell on Earth, tucking into a light salad is just the tonic.
Like smoothies, salads offer a blank canvas to get creative. When we think of salads, we often think of green leaves and carrots, but you’re free to add seafood, meat, cheese or some plant-based alternatives, as well as some relishes or sauces to jazz it all up!
Salads also offer healthy profit margins, with ingredients available for next to nothing at the wholesalers. So if you’re looking to add a seasonal money-maker to your menu this summer, salads offer the perfect solution.
Ice Cream and Frozen Treats
When the sun is shining, nothing beats a refreshing frozen treat. Whether it be ice cream, lollies or any other ice-cold saviour, there can be a real life-saver on those particularly hot days!
When it comes to choosing the right frozen desserts, this all depends on your business and target audience. For some businesses, just a few ice cream flavours may suffice, while others may prefer to go all out and offer a wealth of options to cater for all tastes.
Desserts are all the rage right now with shops dedicated to sweet treats springing up everywhere. And while you don’t want to lose track of your regular food, you can take a slice of the pie this summer!
Plant-Based Options
Lastly, why not add some vegetarian and vegan options, if you don’t have them already? While this isn’t really a summer-specific trend, the plant-based movement is certainly gaining more and more ground, so there’s no time like the present!
From vegan burgers and kebabs to plant-based pizzas and curries bursting with seasonal vegetables, catering to plant-based eaters is a great way to attract more custom and demonstrate your commitment to diversity.
Packaging
If you’re adding some new items to your menu, there’s a good chance you’ll need some additional food packaging items to go with them. Here we’ll suggest some packaging ideas based on the food we suggested above:
Kraft Boxes:
Made from biodegradable paper constructed out of wood pulp, kraft boxes make excellent containers for holding food. Strong, sturdy and excellent at retaining heat, they’re perfect for both hot and cold food and will keep food fresh.
We offer kraft food boxes wholesale, so if you require eco-friendly packaging for your menu’s new additions then you’ll find them here!
Kraft Bowls:
As well as creating boxes, this multipurpose paper is also used to make kraft bowls. These are great for adding salads, keeping them fresh and protected while they’re being carried around.
Kraft Bags:
Utilising the strength and durability of this versatile paper, kraft bags allow your customers to carry their food home with them. And most importantly, they also help to reduce the amount of plastic waste you and your customers contribute.
Paper Straws:
If you’re going to be offering smoothies then you’ll need to provide straws for your customers to enjoy their fruity treats conveniently.
With plastic straws now pretty much a relic of the past, paper straws offer an eco-friendly alternative. Just remember to buy thick straws as smoothies tend to be gloopy and can get stuck in the tube!
Rule Changes
When it comes to purchasing the right packaging for all these items, you’ll need to keep in mind the government’s new rules on plastic.
Since September 2023, food businesses have been banned from using single-use packaging. The ban includes all online and over-the-counter sales and it covers packaging items from new and existing stock.
Trading Standards departments now have the authority to fine and prosecute any business not complying with the rules. So to avoid hefty fines, it’s best to abide by the rules and stick to biodegradable packaging.
As well as legal compliance, research shows that customers would rather shop with environmentally conscious companies, so boasting your green credentials with biodegradable packaging should foster customer loyalty.
So those are our suggestions for some seasonal additions to your menu this summer. In truth, there may be many more, but hopefully, these will give you a little inspiration and help you stay one step ahead of your competition.