A costumed figure stands on a tall building in Gotham — grasping a folded slice of pizza in his gloved hand. In October, this scenario isn’t straight out of a movie scene. It’s a regular occurrence in New York City, where events like Halloween and gameday football mean munching on ‘za while wearing an outfit is the norm.

Thanks to a handy, portable crust — somehow simultaneously thick, crispy, chewy and thin — absolutely coated in sauce and stretchy cheese, New York-style pizza is by far the most popular version in the U.S. If you’re looking for irresistible pizza-by-the-slice, there’s a good chance you can find it somewhere near your town!

Pizza lovers comprise a big swath of the country, and nearly half of all serious pizza fans consume their favorite meal at least once a week. Opportunity to feed these folks, especially during an event-heavy time of year, is quite high.

Pedal to the Medal

It’s understandable that many pizzerias prefer a scratch-made formula, and in this volatile environment, we’re always looking for ways to make life (and prep) easier on kitchens.

Take, for example, the efficiency that a high-gluten Gold Medal™ All Trumps™ Dough Ball can bring to producing NY slices. Three things stand out: speed, simplicity, and superior quality. The fast-prep dough ball is made with 6 simple ingredients — water, oil, yeast, sugar, salt, and spring wheat flour that’s enriched, unbleached, and unbromated. The resulting 14.2% protein level forms that stronger, firmer NY crust that guests can bend, fold, and bite however they want.

A Shared Legacy

We know that the history and legacy of your restaurant matters. Patrons respond to your family traditions, your signature consistency, your dependable service — making your eatery a fixture in the neighborhood.

It makes sense then to partner with a team that shares a passion for culinary heritage. Guests are drawn in by authenticity and time-honored techniques. The makers of the Gold Medal All Trumps Dough Ball have been at this for 160 years. The first flour mill graced the banks of the mighty Mississippi near Minneapolis and was the largest mill west of Buffalo at the time it was built. Subsequent millers would win gold at international flour competitions, as Minneapolis quickly became the flour capital of the world.

This rich history means Gold Medal ingredients are crafted with your specific challenges in mind. You want dependability? The pre-flattened shape of the dough ball and easy stretch result in fast preparation. And the flexible slack time is excellent for consistency.

If you’re searching for convenience, the dough is ready to rock in less than 4 hours at room temp. Quickly pull what you need to scale up or down, depending on the size of your operation, and the bulk packaging helps you cut down on waste, as well.

Side Show

What are some ways that your inventory can work harder and smarter for you? Data shows that younger generations, with their muscular purchasing power, are currently into the snacking and shareable segments. So, think about keeping Gold Medal All Trumps Dough Balls on hand to act as a base for other eye-catching menu items.

They can be hand-stretched to form house special breadsticks or garlic knots — even heavier duty items like calzones or strombolis. And consider sweetening your dessert offerings with crusts made from these versatile doughs.

Dessert is certainly an area where there’s the potential for bigger wins. If the dough balls aren’t a fit, an item like a Pillsbury™ Chocolate Chip Blondie offers thaw-and-serve simplicity. Customize it with berries and cream, fry it with plantains to inject some Latin flair, or bring a mashup of fall flavors with toasted marshmallows. Go even further outside the box by menuing on-the-go dessert pops or blended shakes. This blondie’s possibilities are sweet indeed!

Running your business is a full-time operation that doesn’t stop when the doors are locked. Take some inspiration from “the city that never sleeps,” and fire up labor-efficient dough balls for that perfect New York slice.

*Content provided in collaboration with General Mills Foodservice.