2. Trios
Offering a trio of options is another way to refresh classic meal combos. Technomic’s 2018 Soup and Salad report finds that 20% of consumers say the reason they don’t order soup is because it’s not filling enough to eat as a main meal—so ordering soup as a part of a three-course combo is the perfect antidote. In fact, 51% of consumers say that it’s important or extremely important that the soup they order be bundled with other items.
Like soup and sandwich combos, this option allows for easy riffing on menu themes. Tuscan kale soup with an Italian sub and a Caprese salad is perfect for a classic Italian experience, while Thai chicken soup, a banh mi sandwich and a miso-ginger salad is a great option for those seeking trending Asian flavors.
This format also lends itself to the customization trend— operators could offer diners three choices from a list of soups, salads and half sandwiches, for example. Similarly, offering a “flight” of soups with smaller portions of three different soups could tempt diners who are interested in trying different flavors.