Potato-based Dishes Selling Like Hotcakes

Highlights of the April – June 2011 second quarter Mintel report covering foodservice activity finds three of the top ten side dishes menued at chain restaurants were potato-based in Q2 2011. The number of potato side dish offerings at chain restaurants grew three percent from last quarter (Q1 2011) and four percent in the last year (since Q2 2010).

Not surprisingly, French fried, baked potatoes and mashed potatoes continued to be the most popular potato items in Q2 2011.

Consistent with the last quarter (Q1 2011) and the last year (Q1 2010 – Q4 2010), most potato side dishes were menued in the casual dining and family/midscale segments. Seasoned, garlic and white cheddar continued to dominate the top potato side dish flavors in Q2 2011. Cajun, chile and parmesan cheese were also popular side dish flavors in Q2 2011.

The top four preparations for potatoes in Q2 were fried, French-cut, mashed and baked.  Crispy, Golden and Homestyle were the top marketing claims used on menus during Q2 2011 to describe potato side dishes.

The “Trans-Fat-Free” claim continued to be the most widely used nutritional claim describing potatoes on the menu.

For more information on the Q2 2011 Mintel Menu Report, contact Kathleen Triou at [email protected] or 303-873-2312.