Beverage Pairings

Would you like a drink with that? The ideal beverage for signature sandwiches can be more than soda.

TREND 5

Beverage Pairings

BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER, AND SNACKS CALL FOR A VARIETY OF SANDWICH AND BEVERAGE PAIRINGS

“Can I offer you a drink with that?” Sandwiches are a natural fit for a combo meal or pairing. In addition to upselling common side items with sandwiches such as coleslaw, potato salad, mac and cheese, or chips, high-profit signature beverages quench the thirst and fit any daypart.

Early morning, breakfast, and brunch sandwich pairings include fruit juices, hot coffee, cold brew, signature flavored coffees, tea, kombucha, mimosas, Bloody Marys, and smoothies
Lunchtime sandwich pairings include soda, iced tea, lemonade, milkshakes, malts, mocktails, functional/enhanced beverages such as energy drinks, fortified waters, and fruit- and vegetable-based juices
Dinner and late-night sandwich pairings include soda, beer, wine, iced tea, lemonade, milkshakes, malts, cocktails, and mocktails

The increase in delivery and takeout over the past couple of years has, unfortunately, resulted in a decline in beverage ordering. With many consumers choosing to eat at home, the decision to place a beverage order is shifting.

The way to offset this is to offer unique beverages that consumers find hard to resist. Think about unique combinations that are difficult to recreate at home, branded beverages that aren’t offered at retail, and beverage LTOs that can be promoted through social media and email.

Pair a hot sandwich with a Bloody Mary to create a savory and refreshing duo.

9 Ways to Increase Beverage Orders

1. Train staff to offer—and upsell—beverages to dine-in and takeout/delivery customers. This includes if the restaurant sells alcohol and is in a region that allows takeout and delivery of such.
2. Create a sense of urgency with LTOs in the beverage promotions offered through social media, email, and the website.
3. Create more beverage options with low- and no-alcohol mocktails and session cocktails.
4. Take advantage of the seasons and holidays with themed coffees, cocktails, shakes, beers, teas, and more.
5. Showcase a new beer or wine each week on in-house table tents and social media.
6. Create a contest for staff that awards the top three beverage sellers with a day off or monetary reward.
7. Appease the adventurous by adding a drink to the menu called “Surprise Me.” Just make sure it rotates on a regular basis.
8. Menu local beers and integrate locally sourced ingredients into other beverages, highlighting them in menu descriptions.
9. Invite local beverage bloggers and influencers in to try the restaurant’s drink menu.

Click here to read Burgers and Shakes Trend Report: Build Food and Beverage Sales with this Classic Combo

One method operators can use to nudge diners to order more beverages is to suggest pairings alongside sandwiches on the menu. This works with wine, beer, mocktails, craft sodas, tea, coffee, and much more.

The same way you might see a red wine pairing under a steak dish, complementary drinks can be listed under burgers, steak sandwiches, chicken sandwiches, grilled cheese, and more.

MOCKTAIL MAYHEM

No liquor needed in these beverages that pair well with any sandwich.

Pineapple turmeric shrub, grapefruit, lemon, cinnamon, ginger, and agave
Honey jasmine syrup and club soda
Raspberry lemonade virgin mojito with lime juice, raspberry lemonade, and club soda
Hatch chile yuzu lemonade
Long Island iced tea mocktail with tea, apple cider vinegar, ginger beer, and lemon juice

Enticing guests with fresh, interesting, and even local ingredients on the beverage menu can attract new orders and help increase sales exponentially.