Make all-day breakfast pay off

The case for breakfast anytime

There’s something special about gathering on a weekend morning for a drawn-out, relaxing meal with friends. From that first sip of a mimosa or Bloody Mary to the last bite of that eggs Benedict or Belgian waffle dish, the conversation shared is what’s front and center — not just rushing to the bill at the end of the meal. But for many diners, meeting up in the morning isn’t feasible, and if they don’t want lunch or dinner fare, restaurants lose out. So what’s the solution?

Offering breakfast foods all day long is the perfect way to attract diners who prefer to sleep in a little later but still want to indulge in a build-your-own omelet or French toast bar. Best of all, it doesn’t involve much extra work on the part of restaurant operators. But how can operators differentiate their menus from other breakfast and brunch hotspots?

Easy ways to make breakfast offerings stand out

Bring unexpected variety to the menu

When planning all-day breakfast and brunch menus, it’s important to offer an array of both classic favorites as well as chef specialties that incorporate trending ingredients, preparations and flavors. Offering a variety means that people who want something classic, as well as those who want something new and those who may have dietary restrictions, can all find something they’re looking for.

In fact, 1 in 4 consumers are willing to try a new food item if it’s a unique twist on something they already enjoy.1 This shows that balancing familiar favorites with creative updates can satisfy both comfort-seekers and adventurous diners.

Adapt beverage pairings for the p.m. crowd

Morning breakfast menus often include items like mimosas or Bloody Marys — the classic brunch drinks. But for all-day breakfast, there’s an additional opportunity to offer specialty cocktails.

Options that incorporate on-trend cold-brew coffee can entice customers who perhaps don’t want a tomato- or juice-based beverage or cocktail. With Tastewise reporting a 150% year-over-year growth in Gen Z’s coffee-related social media conversations, it’s clear that coffee culture is shaping beverage trends.2 Adding cold-brew options not only meets this demand but also positions menus as modern and relevant to younger consumers who are driving these shifts.

In addition to that, operators can also serve specialty non-alcoholic drinks and mocktails featuring fresh-squeezed juices that are perfect for health-conscious customers or teetotalers.

Offering these types of options — particularly alcohol drinks, which diners usually save for later in the day — is a great way to encourage bigger tabs on all-day breakfast menus.

Draw inspiration from lunch & dinner

All-day breakfast doesn’t have to be just breakfast foods. Some of the trendiest all-day breakfast foods are ones that draw inspiration from lunch and dinner menus. For instance, breakfast pizzas are going strong on menus. Pizza is already a customer favorite, but topped with breakfast ingredients, it’s perfect for the breakfast menu and beyond.

Breakfast sandwiches are also booming. These versatile options work double duty, satisfying traditional breakfast seekers as well as those craving something more substantial. Social conversations about breakfast sandwiches have surged by 25.53% year-over-year, according to Tastewise, reflecting growing consumer interest. Plus, 4.33% of U.S. restaurants already feature breakfast sandwiches on their menus, signaling strong demand and a prime opportunity for operators to stand out with creative twists.³
By offering classics as well as trendy dishes, incorporating a range of breakfast and brunch beverages and continuously tweaking the menu to include items that are great any time of day, operators can build a strong menu that adds to their bottom lines.

SOURCES

¹CEU; Appz Trends and Insights.
²Tastewise; Gen Z Coffee Trends.
³Tastewise; Breakfast Sandwich Trends.