When you differentiate your pizza, you create magnetism. Hungry consumers are attracted to an identifiable difference. Because a specialty helps you stand out from the crowd, you’re more likely to be first choice when it’s time to select the place to go for pizza.
1. Offer gluten-free pizza.
A growing number of pizzerias are offering alternative options for those who suffer from celiac disease. Those whose diet must be gluten free will bring their friends to your place. Premade, gluten-free crusts are now available frozen. Some pizzerias like to add a disclaimer to their menus because wheat flour is part of the pizzeria environment. Click here to read about the trend or request information about precooked gluten-free meats.
Courtesy of Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN)
2. Serve an authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Play up the romance of an Italian legend. In 1889, when Queen Margherita of Savoy was served a pizza in Naples with the colors of the Italian flag, she liked it so much, it was named after her. Now the Associzione Verace Pizza Napoletana certifies, through a strict process, authentic Marinara and Margherita pizzas. At this time, only 50 pizzerias have been VPN-certified since 1998, but 10 have happened in the past six months. The certification takes a couple of months and is intended to preserve original flavors.
3. Offer green to go.
Eco-awareness means developments in packaging. Along with carry-out pizza boxes made with a high percentage of post-consumer waste, there’s the Greenbox made of 100% recycled material. It breaks down into serving plates and a storage container for leftovers.
4. Try out a Pizza Cone.
Popular in Europe, Pizza Cones, which are dough in a cone shape filled with pizza ingredients, are getting a lot of play in America. Especially good for grab ‘n go eating, Pizza Cones are available par-baked, filled or unfilled.
Image courtesy of CrispyCones
5. Go ‘round the clock.
Imagine being the go-to place in the off hours. It’s working successfully in a pizzeria close to Ohio’s Dayton University, where students are hungry 24/7. The breakfast pizza, like a quiche, is selling very well too. More breakfast pizza ideas for your restaurant.
6. Try pizza tapas-style.
Based on the small-plates trend, personal, bite-sized pizzas could be offered topped with gourmet ingredients—specially seasoned meats, unexpected combinations of vegetables, spices and flavorful sauces—as appetizers or a selection of several for a main course.
7. Build on a grander crust.
In the search for gluten-free crusts, some pizzerias are emerging into a new area. Whole grains, up to ten in a single recipe, including buckwheat, quinoa and nut flours, and even acai berries have been found popular as crust ingredients. The antioxidant properties are popular with the health-conscious consumer.
8. Use artisan cheeses.
Specialty cheeses pack a lot of flavor in a small package and have cachet. Though artisan cheese costs more per pound, you can use much less for the same flavor impact.
9. Search out local produce.
Ed Zimmerman, president of pizza.com, says “This is the easiest, least expensive way to stay on the two hottest food trends—local ingredients and sustainability.” He recommends visiting local farm markets and buying produce from a farmer whom you can then use in your promotion.
10. Offer more nutritional topping choices.
Pizza is mistakenly considered a food to avoid when dieting. However, if you offer the right toppings it can actually be well-balanced option for your more health conscious patrons. Aside from the obvious vegetable choices, offer lower-fat proteins such as ham or chicken.
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Satisfy your customers’ hunger for the great taste of cured meats with Burke Canadian-style bacon and ham.
Everybody loves the distinctive flavor of cured meats—and when added to your traditional recipes and signature specialties, your customers won’t be able to resist. And you’ll love the profitability and versatility.
Product Features
- Authentically seasoned, carefully smoked and patiently ages under climate- and humidity-controlled conditions
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- Wide variety of cured meat options to fit every menu and price point
Try Burke Canadian-Style Bacon and Ham in pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, soups and your premium and signature menu items.
New Menu Idea | Jammin’ Cajun Pizza
MagniFoods® Diced Ham, MagniFoods® Chicken Breast Strips, Premoro® Bias-Sliced Andouille Links, green peppers, onions, mozzarella and cheddar cheese on a layer of zesty pizza sauce; drizzled with Tabasco sauce.
Also try adding MagniFoods® Canadian-Style Bacon and Ham to your pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, soups and your premium and signature menu items.
Start with our menu ideas; then add your inspiration to create signature recipes that keep your customers coming back for more.
New Menu Idea | Fried Onion Pizza
MagniFoods® Diced Ham, MagniFoods® Bacon Pieces, French fried onions and cheddar cheese on a thin layer of mayonnaise.
Also try adding MagniFoods® Canadian-Style Bacon and Ham to your pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, soups and your premium and signature menu items.
Start with our menu ideas; then add your inspiration to create signature recipes that keep your customers coming back for more.
Looking for new ideas to liven up your menu? Look no further. We have 11 new pizza ideas for 2011, based on an annual report of restaurant trends by the National Restaurant Association.
- Teriyaki Rice Pizza: Chicken strips sautéed with broccoli, carrots, celery and onions in a teriyaki sauce; spread on crispy rice crust—made with rice, an egg and mozzarella cheese
- Peach & Pecan Pizza: Chicken strips, sharp cheddar cheese, peaches and pecans on an oil-brushed crust; drizzled with balsamic vinegar
- Spaghetti & Meatball Pizza: Italian-style meatballs, red peppers and mushrooms tossed in a mixture of spaghetti sauce and pureed carrots; spread over a thin layer of spaghetti noodles on a pizza crust and topped with mozzarella and parmesan cheese
- Deconstructed Eggroll Pizza: Pork sausage, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, water chestnuts, olive oil and soy sauce; drizzled with sweet and sour sauce
- Sunnyside Up Egg Pizza: Breakfast sausage and goat cheese, topped with a sunnyside egg on an oil-brushed crust
- Antipasto Pizza: Salami, pepperoni, artichokes, red peppers, black olives, garlic, tomatoes, oregano and parsley tossed with Italian dressing and topped with feta cheese
- A Pizza Taco: Italian sausage, seasoned ground beef, pepperoni, mushrooms, green peppers and onions on a 12-inch flatbread; bake with flatbread folded over like a taco and top with lettuce, taco sauce and sour cream when out of oven
- Croque Madame Pizza: Ham and gruyere cheese , topped with an egg on an oil-brushed crust
- Surprise Crust Pizza: Italian sausage, mushrooms, green peppers, onions and pizza sauce on a crust with bacon rolled in the edges
- Perfect Pear Pizza: Italian sausage, brie, pears and walnuts topped with romaine lettuce tossed in oil and red wine vinegar
- Kids Mac ‘N’ Cheese Pizza: Bacon and macaroni noodles, tossed in a cheese sauce and pureed squash; topped with cheddar cheese
Start with our pizza ideas; then add your inspiration to create signature recipes that keep your customers coming back for more. For more menu ideas, visit our recipe page at www.BurkeCorp.com/Recipes.
To continue this conversation, please leave us a comment at the bottom of this post or email us at BurkeBlog@BurkeCorp.com.
New Menu Idea | Mom’s Broccoli and Ham Casserole
MagniFoods® Diced Ham, broccoli, parsley, green pepper, sliced hard-boiled eggs, cheddar cheese and onion tossed in a mixture of cream of celery soup and milk; topped with bread crumbs.
Also try adding MagniFoods® Canadian-Style Bacon and Ham to your pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, soups and your premium and signature menu items.
Start with our menu ideas; then add your inspiration to create signature recipes that keep your customers coming back for more.
New Menu Idea | Breakfast On-The-Go Pizza
MagniFoods® Diced Ham, Premoro® Sausage, MagniFoods® Bacon Pieces, scrambled eggs, green pepper, mozzarella and cheddar cheese layered on a sharp cheddar cheese sauce.
Also try adding MagniFoods® Canadian-Style Bacon and Ham to your pizza, calzones, pasta dishes, sandwiches, appetizers, soups and your premium and signature menu items.
Start with our menu ideas; then add your inspiration to create signature recipes that keep your customers coming back for more.
To request samples of Bacon, Canadian-Style Bacon, Ham or Sausage please complete our sample request form.