Although 46% of consumers still crave the old-fashioned sweets they enjoyed as children—per Technomic’s new "2017 Dessert Consumer Trend Report"—one-of-a-kind, "wow-factor" treats now are trending on today's menus.
One outcome of this push for more menu assortment is that operators are experimenting with mix-and-match bundles of smaller items—such as offering a sampling of appetizers and small plates as alternatives to traditional entrées.