We all know that fall feeling — the cool, crisp comfort; the excitement of gatherings for school, sports, and the seasons. There is no better time to capitalize on that same energy in your restaurant. Diners want to enjoy comfortable, boldly flavored, shareable dishes that shout “gather.” Give them something to crunch on alongside fall leaves.

There is simply no more satisfying fall treat than something fried, salty, crunchy. That makes simple, starchy sides and bases worth a second look. With a little creativity, something as familiar as a chip can work harder across the menu.

Gen Crisp

Beyond seasonal appeal, consumer trends should always be on the radar when choosing products to feature on your menu. Here’s what we know according to the Datassential Generational Insights report*:

• Gen Z craves bold flavor in the form of seasoned, loaded, and cheesy. 84% prefer a seasoned fry versus the standard.

• They want better value without feeling like they traded down: “Help me feel smart, not cheap.”

• 58% of Gen Z dining occasions are with others, so they are highly motivated by shareable items.

These trends are a good reason to give even the simplest sides a second look. Freshly fried, thinly sliced, skin-on Roma® Chips can move beyond the side of the plate and become a low-cost canvas for bold flavors, seasonal LTOs, shareable dishes, and more. Better yet, versatile bases like these give operators opportunities to cross-utilize ingredients already in the kitchen.

Locked & Loaded

Start with fall’s unofficial sport: tailgating. Loaded fries are made for gameday tables, where shareability and big flavor are part of the experience. Make the obvious choice not so obvious by substituting Roma® Chips in for your nacho platters. With limited ingredients, this menu item is not only an easy lift, it is infinitely customizable. Can you name anything more fall than a plate full of nachos and a cold beverage to celebrate gameday? I’ll wait!

Pizza is the perfect companion for school activities, sports, and easy dinners as the holidays near. If pizza is on your menu, an easy expansion is adding Loaded Parlor Chips to your appetizer list. Top Roma Chips with accessible pizza toppings (pepperoni, mozzarella, beef, and olives), then make it extra memorable with bacon, sweet red peppers, banana peppers, and dollops of pesto.

These options are a great shareable start, but we’re here to help you max out your menu creativity. Consider these other chip options:

• Crispy chips are always a welcome side with most mains; add a dip to take your plate to the next level. Fried pickle dip is having a moment or try caramelized onion or blue cheese dips for your more discerning diners. Rotating dips can also give operators an easy way to introduce seasonal LTOs without reinventing the entire dish.

• Feature chips not only under your pizza toppings; top your pizzas with them as well! Try an olive oil and parmesan base for your ‘za topped with chips and rosemary. Or go “loaded baked potato” with a base of sour cream, cheddar cheese, bacon, and green onions, finished with crushed Roma Chips. For a fall spin, think smoked Gouda, Ridgecrest® Pulled Pork, or even a drizzle of maple hot sauce.

• Add crunch to the top of your tried-and-true mac and cheese, your featured fall casserole, or add a viral twist to your menu by featuring a chip salad. There are countless takes on this TikTok-worthy sensation; my favorites include tossing chips with something spicy like chili-garlic sauce or some pickled veggies. You can even fold chips into a standard potato salad for a satisfyingly salty texture.

This fall, let’s crunch (ahem, crush) those sales goals by adding consumer-backed favorites with big fall vibes to your menu.

*Datassential Generational Insights report