Regional Favorites May Help Boost Game Day Menu Appeal

Nostalgia and regional flavors go hand in hand, and when customers know they can find their favorite flavors and ingredients on a restaurant’s menu, they may be more likely to come back again and again. For instance, diners who hail from Chicago may be craving Italian beef. Try adding the Chicago Beef ‘n Bear Pizza to the menu for these customers. It drew high ratings among surveyed consumers who scored it highly across categories like “Speciality Appeal” and “Uniqueness, Frequency and Draw,” indicating a high potential for menu success.¹  It’s topped with rich Italian beef cream sauce, Chicago-style giardiniera, mozzarella cheese, sweet Italian peppers, Original Philly® Seasoned Sliced Beef and Hillshire Farm® Old World Specialties® Italian-Style Sausage.

Chicago Beef ‘n Bear Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza

Buffalo Chicken Pizza is also a winning choice when trying to appeal to customers craving regional flavors. Buffalo chicken pizza has seen the highest increase in menu penetration in the past 12 months,² so operators can feel confident that it’s something diners are interested in. This pizza features a tangy Buffalo sauce, Tyson Red Label® Fully Cooked Homestyle Chicken Breast Chunks, Jimmy Dean® Fully Cooked Hardwood Smoked Bacon Pieces, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, then drizzled with ranch dressing.

For a barbecue-inspired option, try the Alabama Gold Rush Pizza. To make this, top a crispy pizza crust with golden BBQ sauce, smoked mozzarella cheese, corn kernels, fried pickles and loads of Hillshire Farm® Bakin’ Bacon™Heat-N-Serve Pizza Topping. Then, finish with Alabama-style BBQ sauce and fresh cracked pepper to add even more flavor.

Alabama Gold Rush Pizza

Meat Lover’s Detroit-Style Pizza

Many regions across the country have their own special style of pizza, and by offering these different regional styles, operators can capitalize on local interest. Regional styles of pizza, such as Chicago-style and Detroit-style are becoming more mainstream on menus², and as a result, consumers are starting to expect to be able to order them when dining out. Detroit-style pizza’s pan-style crust is its signature; try offering a Meat Lover’s Detroit-Style Pizza to appeal to those seeking it out. It starts with red pizza sauce spooned over Detroit-style pizza dough, and is topped with Hillshire Farm® Old World Specialties® Spicy Italian-Style Sausage, Hillshire Farm® Sliced Pepperoni and Hillshire Farm® Bakin’ Bacon™Heat-N-Serve Pizza Topping. 

Southern-style fried chicken is also a delicious regional choice to add to the game day menu. The Southern Heat Breaded Chicken Sandwich is another dish that surveyed consumers scored highly for having Specialty Appeal.³ Full of bold flavors and Southern charm, this sandwich features a Tyson Red Label® Uncooked Breaded Authentically Crispy Spicy Chicken Breast Filet and is topped with a sweet and spicy jalapeño jelly, a tangy Southern heat slaw and crunchy okra chips.

Southern Heat Breaded Chicken Sandwich

Wings and football go hand-in-hand. Regional varieties include Buffalo wings, but operators can branch out and offer wings with trending flavors, such as hot honey. Hot honey wings have grown 48% in the past 12 months.¹ Try offering Fourth & Fiery Wings for a twist on spicy wings this season. Crispy bone-in wings are tossed in a unique sauce that blends the deep, aromatic heat of Indian-style vindaloo with the sticky sweetness of hot honey for a bold yet balanced bite.

Fourth & Fiery Wings

Ultimate Game Day Platter

Restaurants can score a touchdown with the Ultimate Game Day BBQ Platter. A delicious feast, This platter features chili-crisp tossed Tyson Red Label® Breaded Authentically Crispy Spicy Wings, Tyson Red Label® Unbreaded Applewood Smoked Wings, and tender ibp Trusted Excellence® St. Louis-Style Pork Ribs at the center of the platter, served with seasoned fries, fried pickles and carrot and celery sticks. With honey bourbon BBQ sauce and spicy dill pickle ranch for dipping, it’s a flavor explosion that’s sure to please diners no matter where they live.