Restaurant Biz:NEW TWISTS ON TAKEOUT!

After five months of to-go meals, operators are trying to tempt consumers with creative menu and packaging spins.

The new Nacho Meal Kit from Moe’s Southwest Grill comes with a video and infographic to advise fans how to dress up and construct nachos. The tongue-in-cheek promotion is aimed to avoid the dreaded “naked nacho phenomenon,” with a guide to proportions, toppings and plating. All the necessary ingredients come with the kit, including a base of chips or tortillas, two proteins, queso, pico de gallo, beans, sour cream, jalapenos and salsa for the nachos. Also on hand is a new Fajita Meal Kit.

COVID-19 has fueled consumers’ desire for immunity-boosting ingredients and three new kits from I Love Juice Bar feed the need. The Health Kit includes six juices with a choice of a “sniffle stopper” shot, toomeric [sic] shot or ginger shot, while the Self Care Kit has three juices with a choice of shots. Customers can also opt for a Blender Cups Kit, which includes four smoothie cups for at-home blending. Options include those based on berry, mint, orange and pineapple flavors.

The Big Yellow Box is a new catering option from Dickey’s Barbecue Pit. Customers can order up several different combos, all of which serve 12 people. The five choices feature either pulled pork, Texas brisket, sandwiches, wings and ribs or a combo of brisket and pork and each comes with sides, rolls, sauce and other accompaniments. The Big Yellow Box is a convenient way to cater to a smaller social gathering.

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