Adding a Little Spicy Goodness to Your Menu

Menu research company Datassential recently polled more than 1,000 consumers on their preference for a variety of sauces. Near the top of the list is ‘hot sauce’ in the description or title of the menu item. Overall, 39% said hot sauce was important to them, with younger-aged consumers who are likely staff or visitors scoring even higher. Gen X (46%), Gen Z (41%), and Millennials (40%) ranked hot sauce significantly higher than Boomers (29%).

Among the demographics surveyed, younger consumers exhibit the highest preference for spicy foods.

“We’ve experienced significant growth in sales to healthcare operators in the past few years. All are looking to spice up their menus,” says Billy Lentz, Director of Foodservice Sales for Garner Foods, the makers of Texas Pete® Hot Sauce.

Aligning your menu to the demographic you are targeting is a smart strategy. Texas Pete has more flavors, heat levels, and packaging options to fit your needs.

Consumers declaring they ‘love’ hot sauce based on gender, age, race, and geographic location.

The Datassential survey found that 65% of consumers say they ‘love’ hot sauce, with some demographics, such as African Americans and Hispanics, Millennials, and Gen X consumers scoring even higher. Healthcare operators in the West and South should likewise take note of the higher demand for hot sauce on their menu. It’s important to note that a study by retail analytics company Circana/IRI found that Texas Pete® is the number one brand preferred by African American consumers and had the highest shelf velocities when sold on store shelves*.

Texas Pete® is #1 in the U.S. in sales of hot sauce PCs with three flavors from which to choose.

The easiest route for pleasing guests is to allow them to sauce to their desired heat level. Texas Pete® is America’s #1 hot sauce** in portion control packets today, enabling ultimate versatility for patient or staff and guest feeding. CHA! by Texas Pete® Sriracha Sauce to complement sweet and spicy foods, ¡SABOR! by Texas Pete® Mexican-Style Hot Sauce for everything from nachos to burritos, and Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce is simply great on everything. Texas Pete® Original Hot Sauce is the company’s most popular, with medium heat of 340–740 Scoville Units and lower sodium that other brands. The Datassential survey found that 56% of consumers prefer PC packets so they can sauce to their preferred amount.

Honey Mustard Sauce, Wing Sauce, Original Hot Sauce, and BBQ Sauce are available in 1oz. Dipping Cups.

Texas Pete® lets you upsize spicy flavor with 1 oz. Dipping Cup in four flavors, ideal for larger orders. Texas Pete® offers a variety of bottles for condiment stations in staff or public dining areas. The company also offers pumps for attaching to plastic gallon jugs and dispensers for condiment stations.

These dispensers are easy to clean and maintain for staff or public feeding areas.

The dispensers reduce time and clean-up and simply use ½ gallon jugs of sauce inside. A special offer is now available. When you purchase a $90 dispenser, Texas Pete® will include two free cases of the ½ gallon sauce of your choice, or order all three. Simply download the order form now for this money-saving deal.

If you are a Foodservice Rewards member, get discounts on Texas Pete® products you order. If you aren’t a member, join the Texas Pete® Foodservice Loyalty Program and save up to $500 on purchases made before June 30^th, 2024.

Texas Pete® is also a go-to brand as an ingredient for fresh-made menu items and offers a variety of heat levels and flavors in ½ gallon or gallon jugs. Contact your Texas Pete® sales representative or distributor to order the best way to spice up your menu.

Add some spicy goodness to your menu for patients and guests alike. They’ll thank you.

*IRI, 2022
**Circana/NPD, 2024