Brunch continues to grow in popularity; in fact 80% of operators believe that brunch menus will increase in popularity in the years to come.1
Brunch is generally a leisurely weekend meal and often drives higher check averages.2 As brunch combines breakfast and lunch dayparts, there are great opportunities to cross-utilize products in multiple menu applications.
Here are some ways to elevate brunch offerings and delight guests:
Mix It Up!
Operators should keep brunch menus innovative! 54% of millennials say that they love trying new foods3 when dining out, and 43% of overall consumers say that they crave international flavors at breakfast.4 Restaurants should try seasoning potato sides with gochuragu, kimchi, and gochujang for a Korean twist or spice up biscuits ‘n’ gravy with chorizo.
Comfort (Food) Is King
According to the National Restaurant Association, comfort food is the #2 trend for 2026.5 Brunch is often thought of as a more leisurely meal, with more than half of diners reporting that it’s important to have weekend brunch they can spend with family and friends, and they value the experience over speed.6 It’s a perfect opportunity to serve more indulgent items that are considered “comfort food” like potato pancakes, biscuits and gravy, or chilaquiles.
Sweet & Spicy!
According to the “What’s Hot Culinary Forecast 2025,” spicy maple will be a trending menu flavor that is perfect for your brunch all-day menu in both sweet and savory applications.7 Restaurants can add a dash of cayenne to maple syrup for pancakes or waffles or mix in with bacon for a glaze over potato hash.
Brunch ‘Round the Clock
Guests are increasingly seeking brunch food — morning, noon, and night. So much so that 42% of operators report that they have extended their hours at least one day a week.8 Brunch is the perfect opportunity to utilize items from the breakfast menu throughout the day.
With fresh refrigerated sides and salads from Reser’s Foodservice®, it’s simple to create delicious brunch menu items that guests will crave all day long. Whether operators need sweet or savory applications, Reser’s offers versatile products that can save time and labor and be used across a variety of dayparts — like a variety of recipes and stir-ins to help restaurants incorporate classic or trending flavors with ease. They make it from scratch, so restaurants don’t have to.
*Content provided in partnership with Reser’s Foodservice.
Sources:
National Restaurant Association