MenuMine Trend Desserts and Sweet Beverages
Finishes --- Desserts and Specialty Coffees
Desserts are the perfect way to end the meal. Desserts should be sweet, light, smooth and creamy. Desserts can be hot or cold or both. Baked Goods account for almost half (47%) of total desserts, however, 11% of these are topped with an ice cream or other frozen/chilled confection. At least 53% of desserts are served frozen or chilled and of these 14% include a baked goods ingredient such as a cookie, brownie or wafer.
Desserts may consist of a stand alone baked good or a stand alone dessert dish or a combination of both. Desserts such as malts, shakes, smoothies or iced drinks may also accompany the meal or, in many cases, be the meal.
Dessert Cuisine---Thank You France and Italy and Mexico
Most desserts can be linked to an associated cuisine. This connection, however, does not apply to universal desserts such ice cream sundaes, chocolate cake, apple pie and cookies. But the association does work for items identified with a particular country or region. No matter what type of dessert is served, the application of an identifying menu item name conjures up an image and builds on a romance that frequently is place specific.
Gen Menu Part |
Share |
Example |
| Baked Goods |
47% | Cakes, Pies, Pastries |
| Chilled Dessert Beverages |
24% | Shakes, Malts, Iced Drinks |
| Frozen Desserts |
6% | Sundaes, Cones |
| Chilled Dessert Dishes |
6% | Pudding/Custard/Gelatin |
| Total: | 100% | |
| Total Chilled and Frozen: |
53% | |
| Baked Good Served w/Ice Cream |
11% | |
| Frozen/Chilled Desserts w/Baked Good |
14% |
Menu Item Base:4221
Source: Menu Mine! analysis 500 chain menus *derived by sum of 24% + 23% + 6%, above
French-Dessert Cuisine
We are indebted to the French for mousse, meringue, creme brulee, French silk, truffle cake, napoleon, souffle, eclair, crepe, gateaux, croissant and torte among others
Italian-Dessert Cuisine
Thank you for Italian ice, cannoli, spumoni, formaggio, sorbet, tiramisu, gelato, biscotti, cappuccino, mocha, mascarpone cream, zabaglione, saboyon, panna cotta (cooked cream), cheesecake (Romans B.C.) and others
English-Dessert Cuisine
If it goes with tea, we thank the English. This includes bread pudding, scones, custard, shortbread, crumpets, trifle, mince pie, tapioca, gingerbread, tea pancakes, rice pudding (ambrosia), creme brulee, creme Anglaise.
American-Dessert Cuisine
This dessert cuisine concentrates on cool beverages and is more closely identified with cookie and candy brands. American dessert terms include smoothie, shake, malt, shortcake, freeze, slush, swirl, krispy treat, Oreo, Butterfinger, Snickers, Baby Ruth, Reese's, Hershey, Red Velvet Cake, New York style cheesecake, Toll House, Frosty, waffle cone, shoo fly pie, angel food cake
Country Home-Dessert Cuisine
This cuisine may seem the same as American and not too different from Southern, but it has a distinctness and covers the positioning of a lot of dessert menu items. Desserts falling into Country Home include the use of terms such as home baked, home made, country and include items such as cobbler, cinnamon roll, pumpkin, biscuit, Boston cream pie, turnover, twist and others.
Island Tropical-Dessert Cuisine
Foodservice Research Institute invented the Island Tropical cuisine name. The category known as Iced drinks exploits allusions of cool tropical breezes with names like tropichill, trade wind, pina colada, volcano, jungle, java, coolata, coconut, monsoon, aloha, Hawaiian. Add key lime, floribbean, Key West and Caribbean to this list.
Southern-Dessert Cuisine
Pecan, peanut butter, mudd pie, Mississippi, praline, creole, Jack Daniels, bourbon, turtle, molasses pie.
Mexican Latin-Dessert Cuisine
Churros, sopapillas, choco taco, chimi, flan, profiterole, caramelo, margarita, ancho, tres leches, fried ice cream.
German-Dessert Cuisine
Struesel, strudel, bavarian cream, bear claw, dutch apple, german chocolate.
Healthy Light
Healthy Light may not technically be a cuisine, but more and more desserts fall into this category every day---and this includes desserts identified as no sugar, lite, non fat, reduced fat, low carb, low fat, healthy, sugar free and more.
Caribou Coffee-----Iced Latte Alaskan Fruit Smoothie
Clubhouse-----White Chocolate Mocha Pot du Creme Cheesecake
Bob Evans-----Fall Harvest Pumpkin Pie
Green Mill Restaurant & Bar-----Ancho Diablo Cake
California Pizza Kitchen-----Dulce de Leche Cheesecake
Shula's Steak House-----Molten Chocolate Lava Cake
Darryl's-----Butterfinger Cheesecake
JB's Family Restaurant-----Freshly Baked Cookies
Hof's Hot Restaurant & Bakery-----No Sugar Ollieberry Pie
Rainforest Cafe-----Rainforest Rick's Apple Crisp
Bahama Breeze-----Pina Colada Bread Pudding
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar-----Low Fat Banana Brownie Sundae
Culver's Frozen Custard-----Concrete Malts & Shakes
Hungry Hunter-----Bailey's Irish Cream Mousse
Daily Grill-----Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce
Provino's-----Cannoli Siciliana
Leading Dessert and Shares
Dessert Drinks |
Menu Share % |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Shakes and Malts |
42% | Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry |
| Smoothies | 30% | Banana, Strawberry, Raspberry, Mango, Pineapple, Blueberry, Chocolate, Apple, Mocha, Pina Colada, Cappuccino |
| Float/Sodas/Frappes | 10% | Root Beer, Vanilla, Cola, Chocolate, Coffee, Cappuccino, Lemon |
| Iced Freezes/Slushes |
18% | Strawberry, Cherry, Orange, Lemon, Raspberry, Cappuccino |
Pies and Cobblers |
Menu Share % |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Fruit Pies |
49% | Apple Pie, Fruit Cobbler, Cherry Pie, Berry Pie, Strawberry Pie, Peach Pie |
| Cream Pies |
51% | Key Lime Pie, Pecan Pie, Chocolate Cream Pie, Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Lemon Meringue Pie, Coconut Cream Pie, Peanut Butter Pie, Chocolate Silk Pie, Mud Pie, Custard Pie, Pumpkin Pie, French Silk Pie, Lemon Cream Pie |
Cakes/Cheesecakes/Tortes |
Menu Share % |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Cakes |
52% | Chocolate, Carrot, Strawberry Shortcake, Fudge Cake, Tortes, Souffles, Coconut, Pound Cakes, Lemon Cakes, Bundt Cakes, Struedel, Tres Leches, Chocolate Caramel |
| Cheesecakes | 48% | Cheesecake w/ Strawberry Topping, New York Cheesecake, Butterfinger Cheesecake, Chocolate, Turtle, Chocolate Chip, Snickers Cheesecake, Oreo Cheesecake, Pumpkin Cheesecake, Caramel Fudge, Peanut Butter, Praline, Brownie Cheesecake, Tiramisu Cheesecake, Raspberry |
Pastries |
Menu Share% |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Cookies and Brownies | 35% | Chocolate Chip Cookies, Brownies, Fudge Brownies |
| Muffins & Rolls | 30% | Muffins, Danish/Sweet Rolls, Croissants, Cinnamon Rolls, Turnovers, Pecan Rolls, Apple Fritters, Pretzels, Honey Buns/Sticky Buns |
| Dessert Bars/tarts/Crisps | 21% | Fruit Crisps, Dessert Bars, Fruit Bars, Fruit Crepes, Cinnamon Crisps, Tarts, Sopapillas, Krispy Treats, Lemon Tarts, Fruit Pizza, Churros |
| Cream Pastries | 18% | Tiramisu, Creme Brulee, Cannoli, Eclairs, Cream Filled Pastries |
Sundaes and Novelties |
Menu Share% |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Ice Cream Sundaes/Cones/Scoops | 71% | Ice Cream Sundae, Ice Cream Dessert Dish, Ice Cream Cone, Sorbet, Sherbet, Spumoni, Gelato, Ice Cream Bar, Ice Cream Pie, Frozen Custard, Fried Ice Cream, Italian Ice, Yogurt Dessert Dish, Ice Cream Taco |
| Ice Cream w/Cake/Brownie/Cookie | 29% | Brownie w/Ice Cream, Ice Cream & Cookies, Ice Cream Cake/Roll, Fudge Brownie w/ Ice Cream, Chocolate Cake w/ Ice Cream, Lava Cake w/ Ice Cream |
Pudding and Fruit Dishes |
Menu Share% |
Leading Flavors (in order of importance) |
| Pudding/Mousse/Gelatin | 75% | Bread Pudding, Flan/Caramel Cream Custard, Mousse, Pudding, Parfait, Mousse Cake, Rice Pudding, Banana Pudding, Gelatin, Trifle, Tapioca |
| Fruit Dishes | 25% | Fresh Fruit, Fresh Fruit and Cream |
Ingredients To Build Desserts
There are nine categories of ingredients that go into building a dessert. For ice cream dishes or cookies or brownies, usually one ingredient will suffice. For real fancy desserts, three to five ingredients are in order. Naturally, the more ingredient layers there are, the greater the perceived value to the consumer and the higher the menu price. Ice cream is a component in 53% of all desserts and cakes and crusts are found in 52% of all desserts.
Dessert Ingredient Group |
Incidence of Use |
Most Used Ingredients (in order of importance) |
| Ice Cream Fillings |
53% | Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Frozen Yogurt, French Vanilla, Yogurt, Coffee Flavor Ice Cream, Sherbet, Sorbet, Mocha Ice Cream, Spumoni, Gelato, more |
| Cakes and Crusts | 52% | Pie Crust, Cheesecake Crust, Brownies, Choc. Cake, Carrot Cake, Pastry Crust, Muffin Mix, Graham Cracker Crust, Ladyfingers, Tart Pastry Crust, Shortcake, Croissant, Choc. Fudge Cake, more |
| Sauces and Syrups | 48% | Caramel Sauce, Chocolate Syrup, Hot Fudge, Chocolate Sauce, Strawberry Sauce, Raspberry Sauce, Chocolate Frosting, Cream Cheese, more |
| Fruit or Fruit Fillings | 42% | Apple, Bananas, Strawberries, Pineapple, Cherries, Blueberries, Raspberries, Lemon, Key Lime, Raisins, Boysenberry, Peach, Apricot, Marionberry, Banberry, Oranges, more |
| Whipped Cream Toppings/Fillings | 40% | Whipped Cream, Cream Cheese, Whipped Topping, Custard, Pudding, Chocolate Cream, Mascarpone Cream, Choc. Mousse, Banana Cream, Frozen Custard, Rice Pudding, Ricotta, Meringue, Mocha Filling, Bavarian Cream, Cannoli Filling, Boston Cream, more |
| Nuts | 2% | Pecans, Coconut, Nuts, Walnuts, Peanuts, Peanut Butter, Pistachios, Almonds, Hazelnuts, Macadamia Nuts, Pralines, Spanish Peanuts, Chestnuts, Pine Nuts, Cashews, more |
| Cookies and Dough | 17% | Cookie Dough, Oreo Cookies, Graham Cracker, Choc. Chip Cookies, Cooke Crumbles, Waffle Cone, Vanilla Wafers, Shortbread Cookie, Ice Cream Cone, Peanut Butter Cookie |
| Confections | 16% | Cinnamon, Shredded Coconut, Cocoa Dust, Powdered Sugar, Sugar Sprinkles, Honey, Pina Colada, Brown Sugar, Kahlua, Nutmeg, Rum, Amaretto, Milk, Ginger, more |
| Candy | 12% | Chocolate Chips, Caramel, Choc. Shavings, White Choc, Peanut Butter Cup, Cocoa Dust, M&M's Candy, Marshmallows, Toffee, Choc. Sprinkles, Caramelized Sugar, Heath Bar, Reeses, more |
QSR Dessert Menu Prices Outpace Other Sectors
QSR chains have been able to advance dessert menu prices at twice the rate as Casual and Midscale chains. In quick serve, desserts sell for an average price (median in 2004) of $2.49. Compared to 1998, this is a jump of 47%. Casual chains are able to charge a $2 premium over quick serve and about $1.50 more than midscale. Possible reasons are the higher price smoothies QSR chains have placed on the menu in recent years. Further analysis of menu data, shows 36 menu listings for smoothies in QSR's in 1998 (at an average price of $2.99). Currently, there are 199 menu listings for smoothies in this group of QSR chains (at an average price of $3.85).
Dessert Prices and Trends
Sector |
2004 |
1998 |
Change |
| Casual Chains | $4.69 | $3.95 | +19% |
| Midscale Chains | $3.19 | $2.49 | +28% |
| QSR Chains |
$2.49 | $1.69 | +47% |
Specialty Coffees
The variety of hot after dinner beverages is endless. And with heavy creams and sweeteners, toppings and dustings, many of these warming treats are, in fact, the dessert.
| Latte | Au Bon Pain @ $2.99 | Ghirardelli @ $3.25 | Boudin Sourdough @$2.65 |
| Cafe Mocha | Panera Bread @ $2.85 | Hamburger Hamlet @ $3.50 | Olive Garden @ $3.25 |
| Cappuccino | Target Cappuccino-$1.28 | Rainforest Cafe @$3.25 | Pret A Manger @ $2.00 |
| Espresso | Atlanta Bread @ $1.09 | Seattle's Best Double @ $1.75 | Ruth's Chris @ $2.75 |
| Hot Cocoa | Wawa Large @ $1.47 | Tim Horton's Large @ $1.39 | Starbuck's Peppermint @$2.20 |
| Specialty Flavors | Nacional 27 Choc-Van-$3.00 | Hof's Hut Double Latte-$2.99 | Scoozi Liqueur Coffee-$5.50 |
Base: 3500 dessert menu items in Casual Chain, Midscale Chain, QSR Chain and Cutting Edge Independent Restaurants.
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