How to Create and Introduce New Menu Items

New, customized menu items can be a great way to generate excitement in your dining hall. But where do you start and how do you promote the new items?

Partner up
Your food suppliers can be a great resource in developing customized menus. For instance, Kellogg's® Food Away From Home offers recipe solutions for breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and desserts. Kellogg provides complete solutions that are easily customizable and fit the taste preferences of college and university students.

For instance, you can develop new breakfast omelets, soups, salads, burgers and more using Morningstar Farms® veggie products. Use our parfait guide to create healthier, portable snacks – perfect for busy students on the go. Drive catering profitability with Carr's® specialty crackers. And top it all off with custom-ordered desserts made with Kellogg's® Rice Krispies Treats® Treats Sheet® snacks.

For more information, contact your Kellogg Sales Representative.

Generate ideas
Make a list of 10 items you are interested in possibly offering on the menu. Choose from the latest trends, ethnic specialties, regional favorites, and possible items that champion your college's mascot. Need ideas? Ask your students!

That's exactly what Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant did. The school polled students about a sandwich shop on campus and discovered only lukewarm support. The school then switched to another sandwich concept that students expressed interest in and sales have increased 34%.¹

There are many ways to poll students, from the Internet, to handheld devices to just talking to them. Although the results may not be "scientific", students' feedback offers great insight, leading to increased success and potentially avoiding a costly investment on a failed menu item or dining concept.

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