Better Bar Bites

There's big opportunity in flavour-forward small plates, bar bites and appetizers

With more consumers looking for flavour adventure and flexibility, it’s imperative that your bar bites and appetizer section is dynamic. First, flavour adventure: About one-third of consumers say that unique or ethnic flavours play a strong role in their appetizer (31%) and small-plate (35%) purchasing decision. Second, they seek out flexibility in portions, allowing them to customize their dining experience and match their appetites1.

What drives bar bites/appetizer sales?

According to Technomic, value and craveability drive appetizer and small-plate purchases.

3 Bar Bites Trends

Think of bar bites, small plates and appetizers like speed dating. Your diners can play the field without committing to one flavour experience, helping them explore new combinations.

Translate the trends:

Rely on Kraft Heinz products to help you execute—from spicy sauces and creamy bases to flavour-forward dressings.

Here are three menu trends we’re tracking in this exciting category.

Modern Seafood Flavours

Clean, bright flavours that accentuate fresh fish and shellfish, coupled with a casual, approachable presentation, are driving this menu trend.

31%

of consumers are more interested in trying new flavours than they were a year ago5

Updated Classics

The trend that sees reinvented or upgraded fan favourites is as strong as ever, with flavour-forward innovation marking success here.

Consumers’ top pick for appetizers/bar bites?

Chicken wings8!

We can help, with six ways to kick up your wing sauce, plus two of our favourite wings recipes.

3 Global Wing Sauce Mixes

Butter Chicken
1 cup Richardson Butter Chicken Sauce garnished with
¼ cup cilantro
Korean Sesame
1 cup Richardson Ultimate Korean BBQ Saucegarnished with ⅛ cup sesame seeds
Thai Cilantro Lime
1 cup Diana Thai Sweet & Spicy Sauce mixed with ½ cup Kraft Cilantro Lime Dressing

3 Modern Canadian Wing Sauce Mixes

Maple Whisky
1 cup Rickard’s Red® Hickory Maple Chipotle Sauce and 1 cup Forty Creek® Whisky Barbecue Sauce
Smoked Apple
1 cup Bull’s-Eye Bold Barbecue Sauce mixed with 1 cup Rickard’s Red® Apple Butter Mesquite Sauce
Apple Balsamic
⅓ cup Richardson Balsamic Dressing mixed with 1 cup Rickard’s Red® Apple Butter Mesquite Sauce
  • The Canadian Starters, Small Plates & Sides Consumer Trend Report, Technomic
  • The Canadian Starters, Small Plates & Sides Consumer Trend Report, Technomic
  • Canadian Ethnic Food & Beverage Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
  • Canadian Ethnic Food & Beverage Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
  • Canadian Flavour Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
  • Canadian Flavour Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
  • Canadian Ethnic Food & Beverage Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
  • Canadian Flavour Consumer Trend Report, Technomic, 2015
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