A good breakfast is the perfect start to any day. Whether it’s a quick bite on the way to work or a relaxing morning with friends and family, the demand for quick and convenient breakfast options is growing steadily. For entrepreneurs like yourself, this offers a unique opportunity to respond to this trend, differentiate your business, attract new customers or delight your existing customers. But how do you put together an attractive and diverse breakfast menu that meets the wishes of your customers? And how do you tackle this in a targeted and efficient way? The chefs at La Lorraine Bakery Group are here to help.
Putting breakfast on the menu at your business
Breakfast: the most important meal of the day for your business
The food world is constantly evolving. One of the most popular trends of recent years is the gastrobar or eatery. These establishments offer various dishes from morning to evening in a casual setting. Respond to this trend by adding breakfast to your offering. In this business, standing still means you risk getting left behind in the competitive world of hospitality.
In addition, this extra offering means you can have wider opening hours, allowing you to generate more turnover and meet a new target audience.
The recipe for a successful breakfast
There are different ways to offer your customers breakfast. For example, you could provide a buffet so customers can choose what they want to eat at a fixed price, or serve a breakfast board or breakfast basket containing lots of delicious products. Or even go all out with an à la carte breakfast menu with fixed dishes and seasonal specials. Whichever option you choose, it’s important to have enough variety available to suit the different preferences of your customers and their dietary needs, such as gluten-free or lactose-free alternatives.
You'll want to include traditional breakfast favourites like different types of bread and toppings, yoghurt with fresh fruit and granola, pancakes, waffles and so forth. But don’t miss out on current and emerging trends. Avocado toast, egg-in-the-hole toast, açaí bowls and green smoothies are great examples. Want to offer a breakfast that appeals to everyone? Offer a combination of traditional and trendy dishes to make sure everyone leaves content. Don't forget to cater to special dietary needs as well. Include gluten-free, lactose-free, organic, vegan, vegetarian and healthy options in your breakfast range.
Want to differentiate yourself and/or specialise? There are many ways to do this but doing so may limit your target audience. You could offer American pancakes, a full English breakfast, a Spanish breakfast with pan con tomate, an Italian concept or a fully vegan menu. Want to test out what works for you? Hold themed breakfast events and get on-the-spot feedback from your customers. Then you'll immediately find out what resonates with them.
How do you select the right products and ingredients for your breakfast range?
Quality and service are always your two priorities. Strike the right balance and strive for excellence. Our tip? Always use fresh products. It can help to work with a specialist in the bakery and milling sector, such as La Lorraine Bakery Group. Then you are assured of a high-quality range that is ready in an instant. For fruit and vegetables, fish, meat and extras, we recommend working with local distributors. Use seasonal products to optimise your food costs and provide the best flavours.
Essential products for your breakfast range according to LLBG's chefs:
Bread
Rustic demi baguettes
Bread roll
Donuts and mini donuts
Pain au chocolat
Croissants
Muffins
Mini patisserie
Fresh and attractive breakfast presentation
Aside from taste, the way you present your breakfast is an important factor. We eat with our eyes first, after all. Here are some tips and tricks to make sure your breakfast makes a good first impression:
Varying heights: create different heights with plates, stands and tiered cake stands. This gives dimension to your buffet and creates more visual interest.
Good layout: create a logical and organised layout for your dishes. Place similar items together and create clear divisions between different categories.
Regular refills: make sure you refill the products on your buffet table and keep the table clean. Half empty plates are less appealing.
Clear labels: use clear and inviting labels for each dish, with the name and perhaps a short description of the ingredients or preparation method.
Dietary information: if possible, add information about dietary options, such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free etc.
Fresh dishes: don't leave hot products like eggs on a hot plate, prepare them on the spot. Customers can then order their eggs exactly to their liking.
Samples: offer small samples or amuse-bouches, so guests can try different dishes before taking a full portion.
Opting for breakfast boards? Use large boards for serving your breakfast and pots and plates to keep your dishes apart. You can serve your eggs in a small pan, which will make your breakfast board look even more spectacular.
Tip: Read our advice about breakfast baskets.
These products are essential to your breakfast range
La Lorraine Bakery Group: your reliable partner for serving a delicious breakfast at your business
Offering a breakfast buffet, breakfast baskets, breakfast boards or an à la carte breakfast menu? La Lorraine Bakery Group helps you to choose the right products and provides you with custom advice. Contact one of our representatives or get our product catalogue.
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