TYSON FOODS, INC. TRADEMARKS AND REGISTERED TRADEMARKS ARE OWNED BY TYSON FOODS, INC. OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES.
The Ingredient That Sells Itself
Written by FSR
Published: September 02, 2025
Consumers love the freedom to customize their meals when dining out. The ability to add ingredients to a dish makes the experience more personalized and memorable. For operators, this presents a valuable opportunity to upsell and increase check averages.
Bacon is the ultimate add on, enhancing nearly any meal with its rich flavor and universal appeal. According to Datassential's 2024 The World of Bacon Report, nearly 69 percent of menus serve bacon. Offering bacon as an add on to a meal, such as a sandwich or breakfast plate, can be a powerful way to entice guests, as many are likely to indulge in the upgrade. The word "bacon" alone sparks cravings, with its irresistible scent and savory flavor evoking a sense of enjoyment and indulgence.
Nearly 69% of menus serve bacon.
Datassential, The World of Bacon Report, 2024
“From the consumer's side, it's about delivering a dish with more flavor, texture and overall satisfaction at the end of the day,” says Chef Brooks Cameron, Corporate Executive Chef at Tyson Foods. “From an operator's perspective, bacon drives traffic and adds a higher perceived value to a dish—even something as simple as a chicken sandwich can feel elevated with a couple of slices. We've seen that bacon can also help improve margins. Operators can charge more for a bacon-enhanced item and see a meaningful return.”
Bacon's familiar flavor and versatile texture make it a universally appealing choice for diners across all demographics. Unlike niche or unfamiliar ingredients that might deter customers, bacon evokes comfort and nostalgia.
Its smoky flavor also pairs well with a wide range of cuisines, making it a perfect addition to various dishes. A 2025 report by Meat + Poultry indicates that over the past year, bacon has generated $6.9 billion in sales in the United States, further emphasizing its popularity and versatility.
Bacon generated $6.9 billion in sales in the United States in 2024.
Meat + Poultry, March 2025
“Bacon is great because it’s a familiar flavor, so it’s easy to play with,” Cameron says. “I could do a Thai peanut butter and bacon pizza or even a Hawaiian pizza with bacon. I’ve also done Korean egg benedicts with bacon. Bacon’s salty, umami flavor is great for adding depth, and it’s a comfort food that pairs well with just about anything, even global flavors.”
Not all bacon is created equal, and for operators, choosing the right type can be overwhelming. From smoky sweet applewood to the bold, robust flavor of hickory, bacon comes in a variety of profiles, each bringing its own unique taste and texture to a dish. For instance, hickory-smoked bacon delivers a classic, rich smokiness that pairs perfectly with hearty breakfast platters, while applewood-smoked bacon offers a lighter, subtly sweet note that complements salads and sandwiches.
This is where Wright® Brand can help simplify the decision-making process. Hand-trimmed, naturally smoked and available in various cuts and flavors, Wright® Brand bacon has provided chefs with a reliable, balanced option since 1922. With its consistent quality and flavor, Wright® Brand bacon works across a range of culinary applications, from traditional comfort foods to modern, globally inspired dishes.
Wright® Brand offers three expertly crafted flavors, ensuring a perfect option to complement any meal. The hickory smoked variety is a timeless classic, naturally smoked for hours over hickory chips to impart a bold, savory flavor that has become a staple in countless kitchens. For a lighter, subtly sweet alternative, the applewood smoked bacon delivers a fruity aroma and taste, making it ideal for salads, sandwiches and brunch offerings. For those seeking a bold twist, the peppered bacon brings a satisfying balance of spice and smokiness, finished with a coating of fresh, coarse ground pepper.
No matter the flavor, three high-quality cuts are designed to suit various operational needs. The premier cut represents the peak of craftsmanship, graded with the strictest criteria for muscle-to-lean ratio, slice uniformity and cut quality. This tier ensures extended shelf life through gas-flushed packaging and is ideal for premium applications requiring consistency and excellence. However, some flavors, such as peppered, are only available in the preferred cut.
The preferred cut offers a balance of variety and quality. It is an ideal choice for operators who need flexible options to meet diverse menu demands. This cut also comes in gas-flushed or frozen packaging, providing convenience alongside exceptional flavor.
For high-volume operations, the popular cut delivers great value while maintaining the consistent quality Wright® Brand Bacon is known for. Crafted to meet standard grading criteria, it offers reliable performance for a wide range of applications.
“The three tiers of bacon exist for specific reasons,” Cameron says. “The premier cut is the center-cut bacon, which is great for dishes like buffets or brunch plates. The further you go down, the less defined the slices will be, and it’s usually less expensive. If you’re working in a hospital, hotel or school, you might not need that perfect lean-and-fat ratio, but a chef at a sit-down restaurant would want that precision.”
“The three tiers of bacon exist for specific reasons.”
- Chef Brooks Cameron, Corporate Executive Chef at Tyson Foods
By combining expertly crafted flavors with versatile cuts, Wright® Brand ensures operators can confidently create dishes that exceed guest expectations, no matter the setting or menu focus.
“Choosing the right bacon starts with understanding your menu’s unique needs,” Cameron says. “Whether you need thick slices for a hearty brunch dish or thin bacon to wrap around a filet, the right partner, like Wright® Brand, will guide you through every step of the process helping you choose the ideal bacon for your menu, cook method and customer preferences.”
Get inspired with Wright® Brand and discover how to enhance your offerings—visit our brand page.
Stay in the Know and Get Inspired with our Newsletter
Sign up for our newsletter to get on-trend menu ideas and more. You’ll be first to know about our great new products and get exclusive access to money-saving offers, business solutions, recipes and inspiration.
