LABOR-SAVING SOLUTIONS
FOR FRONT-OF-HOUSE
Away from home, cold coffee reigns supreme. Check out the latest trends, insights, and solutions for cold coffee from the lens of one of its largest manufacturers: Nestlé Professional Solutions!
Labor-Saving Solutions for Front of House
In foodservice, the question is always how to deliver outstanding experiences while staying within budget. Labor-saving strategies mean you don’t have to choose between efficiency and excellence.
INSIDE:
Self-Service
Modern Buffet
Grab-and-Go
Sources: 1. Datassential Restaurant Technology Keynote Report (2024); 2. NRA State of the Restaurant Industry (2024)
Automated ordering reduces wait times and frees up staff for higher-value tasks. Plus, people are accustomed to self-service ordering: Over 4 in 5 consumers have used ordering technology at a restaurant.1
The most common ordering technologies found at restaurants1:
• Mobile/Smartphone App• Standalone Order Kiosk• QR Codes• Tabletop Devices• Digital Menus
51% of people say that automation makes it easier to customize their orders.176% of operators say technology gives them a competitive edge.2
Soda CreamersCoffee mate® Dirty Soda Coconut Lime lets guests add rich, zesty flavor to soda. Plus, it stays delicious at room temperature for up to 6 months. –––––––––––––––––––––––
Simple Dispensing SolutionsThe Nestlé Vitality® Express® Dispenser leads the industry in efficiency, reliability, and food safety, in part thanks to its closed system — which also requires minimal labor to maintain.
Beverage stations let people dispense their favorite drinks, encouraging personalization and making the experience more satisfying while saving labor.
Sources: 1. Datassential Coffee (February 2024); 2. Datassential BUZZ Annual State of the Category (2024)
Iced coffee has grown 18% over the past four years, and cold brew 78% in that same time.1 Why not make this self-serve beverage part of your strategy? Don’t forget to offer additions: 62% of people prefer flavored cold coffee.2
Coffee mate® French Vanilla Liquid Concentrate Pump Bottles deliver precise servings without mess, and their 9-month shelf life means less labor and more flavor.
Seattle’s Best Coffee® Cold Inline Dispenser efficiently serves smooth iced coffee and cold brew with low labor needs, 12-hour shelf life, and varied dispenser sizes.
Modern buffets offer variety and value while reducing the need for full table service. A well-designed buffet can be a big draw: 24% of Gen Z and 25% of Millennials say they frequently seek out buffets when considering where to eat out.1
Minor’s® Ready-To-Use sauces — like Minor’s® Pineapple Jalapeño Sauce and Minor’s® Sweet Chili Sauce — are ready to use hot or cold and hold quality through service for buffet favorites: wing sauces, flatbreads, dressings, and more.
Chef-mate® Country Sausage Gravy has superior hold time for up to 8 hours. It’s a creamy, full-bodied highlight for a build-your-own biscuits and gravy station.
Sources: 1. Datassential Midyear Trends (2024)
Stouffer’s® Make-It-Your-Own-Mac Bar uses the rich, creamy flavor of Stouffer’s® White Cheddar Mac as the foundation for customization. Vegetarian, smoky meats, spicy bites — let diners decide.
Themed buffets — like taco bars, ramen stations, or Mediterranean spreads — keep things fresh and exciting while simplifying back-of-house operations.
Pre-packaged, high-quality meals offer the speed busy people crave — without overloading your kitchen. In fact, 75% of people eat meals or snacks on the go,1 making grab-and-go an opportunity to meet demand while keeping operations smooth.
Sources: 1. Convenience Store News as cited in Nestlé Professional Maximizing Profitability with Grab and Go Trends & Insights
Sources: 1. Princeton Review, Best Colleges 2025.
Outside-the-Box OptionsThink beyond sandwiches. Consider globally inspired snack boxes, high-protein salads, or plant-based meal kits to attract trend-savvy eaters with busy lifestyles.
Virginia’s Variety: Virginia Tech, consistently ranked in the top 10 for college food1, offers a range of on-the-go formats. Their Grab-N-Gobble provides portable meals, food trucks serve diverse flavors across campus, and their Xpress Lane offers ultra-fast service.
Frozen FavoritesFrozen grab-and-go options feature extended shelf life, easy stocking, and options across dayparts. And consumer-favorite brands like Hot Pockets® and Lean Cuisine® offer many ways to satisfy a wide variety of tastes and diets.
Labor-saving solutions mean you can boost quality alongside efficiency. With the right mix of self-service, automation, and strategic menu planning, you can optimize operations and create unforgettable experiences for diners.
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