1. Digging deeper into the vegetable bin
Although traditional salad ingredients such as lettuce and tomatoes still dominate quick-service salads, operators are expanding the vegetable repertory, adding bolder flavors and more unique varieties that attract customers looking for a unique or adventurous twist. Caramelized onions are the fastest-growing vegetable in limited-service salads, increasing 75% year over year, according to Technomic’s MenuMonitor. Next up are poblanos, with 44% growth, followed by shallots at 37.5%.
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