Breakfast remains one of the most important — and competitive — dayparts for operators. Today’s guests want a reliable routine, convenient options, and just enough novelty to keep breakfast from feeling stale.

According to Mintel¹, 42% of consumers eat the same breakfast most days, yet 38% enjoy trying new restaurants for breakfast or brunch. That combination signals a clear opportunity for operators to deliver comfort and familiarity while introducing small, appealing upgrades.

Potato sides, in particular, are a dependable way for operators to elevate the plate, satisfy guests, and manage food and labor costs. Mintel reports that greater variety in potato sides ranks #2 among breakfast and brunch options consumers want to see more often (31%). Datassential² data further reinforces the opportunity, showing strong growth in breakfast potato items like potato cakes, which have grown 25% over the past four years.

Tater Solutions

Position potatoes as a strategic breakfast solution by focusing on a few key benefits:

• They’re familiar, comforting, and craveable: Breakfast guests lean into classics, and 33% say they order items they can’t easily make at home. High-quality, consistent potato sides — like hash browns, crispy diced potatoes, or patties — help operators deliver that “worth ordering” experience without reinventing the menu.

• They fit on-the-go and off-premise needs: With 35% of consumers preferring portable breakfast items, potatoes are ideal for grab-and-go formats. Hash brown patties, potato bites, and seasoned dices work seamlessly in handheld sandwiches, breakfast bowls, and bundled snack boxes — formats that continue to grow in importance.

• They enable safe adventure: Guests want new flavors, but not always at the expense of comfort. Potato sides offer a low-risk canvas for global seasonings, premium toppings, or LTOs. Operators can introduce variety while maintaining familiar formats, predictable costs, and manageable labor.

Build a Better Breakfast

1. Upgrade the classics: Encourage operators to start with what guests already love — hash browns or crispy diced potatoes — then layer on simple enhancements like herb blends, signature seasoning, or a drizzle of sauce. Small upgrades can justify price points and keep menus feeling fresh.

2. Serve the on-the-go guest: Help operators rethink potato sides as building blocks, not just add-ons. Suggest using potato patties in breakfast sandwiches, dices in bowls, or bites in bundled morning meals. These applications increase menu flexibility while using the same core products.

3. Add low-risk innovation: Position potatoes as an easy entry point for LTOs or seasonal flavors. Rotating spices, regional profiles, or premium toppings allows operators to test trends without adding SKUs or disrupting kitchen flow.

By helping operators leverage versatile potato solutions, it’s possible to play a key role in driving breakfast performance — delivering value, consistency, and excitement to keep guests coming back.

1. Mintel, Restaurant Breakfast and Brunch Trends Report, 2025

2. Datassential, MenuTrends, YE SEP’25

*Content provided in partnership with Lamb Weston®