Slideshow: Foodservice innovation fueled by LTOs

KANSAS CITY — Foodservice operators are continuing to utilize limited-time menu innovations to drive consumer traffic.

For instance, P.F. Chang’s unveiled a menu collection inspired by autumn traditions in Kyoto, Japan, ranging from two duck offerings to Wagyu egg rolls. The duck items include duck wings, which are tossed in teriyaki sauce then topped with toasted sesame seeds, Fresno peppers and scallions, and duck fried rice, which combines shredded duck, a fried egg, edamame, fried shallots, kimchi, julienned vegetables, chili jam and chili-spiced butter. The egg rolls are formulated with Wagyu beef, julienned vegetables, black pepper, garlic, ginger and black garlic aioli.

“Autumn gives us the opportunity to work with deeper, richer flavors and ingredients that feel especially craveable this time of year,” said Steve Solis, vice president of culinary at P.F. Chang’s. “We challenged ourselves to reimagine familiar P.F. Chang’s favorites through unexpected seasonal pairings. The result is a menu that feels comforting and approachable but still delivers the bold flavor and sense of discovery our guests come to us for.”

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. subsidiary Carl’s Jr. debuted the first product under its Burger Revolution platform, a systemwide cooked-to-order initiative, with the Angus Maximus burger. The LTO features two Angus beef patties, American cheese, sliced onions, dill pickles and special sauce.

“Carl’s Jr. has never been in the business of serving burgers that are just good enough,” said Iwona Alter, brand president for Carl’s Jr. “The Burger Revolution and our shift to a cooked-to-order process represent our commitment to raising the standard across the entire Carl’s Jr. experience. The Angus Maximus is the perfect burger to lead that charge, bringing two charbroiled 100% Angus beef patties, bold flavor and the quality and value our guests deserve.”

Paris Baguette is tapping into the sweet heat trend with two Halloween menu items. The ghost pepper chocolate marble mochi donut blends Paris Baguette’s mochi donut format with chocolate marble frosting and spice from a ghost pepper, and ghost pepper iced hot chocolate features an iced hot chocolate beverage with an infusion of heat from ghost peppers.

“This Halloween, we wanted to surprise and delight with something unexpected, the fiery kick of ghost pepper paired with rich, indulgent chocolate, while still embracing the nostalgia that makes Halloween so special,” said Cathy Chavenet, chief marketing officer of Paris Baguette North America.