Soup sells, no matter what the season.
By Amber Koontz, Editorial Intern
When it comes to soup there are no limits. Soup can be sold as a side, a snack, an appetizer and as a main meal, and customers will eat soup during any daypart. Although the majority of consumers see soup as more of a lunch option, it is important to have soup available to customers all day, because some customers claim that soup is not off limits for breakfast, especially a soup that is considered to be a healthier option.
Selling soup during different dayparts is easier when you offer different sized containers. A large container may be perfect if a customer wants to eat their soup as a main meal for lunch or dinner, but if they are looking for a light snack, they will want a smaller size.
You can also drive traffic with a variety of soups. Better-for-you options will attract customers, as well as limited time offers (LTOs). Old favorites, like chicken noodle, will always be a hit and should be kept in the rotation, but new flavors spark interest and will entice customers. Customers like to try something new every once in a while, so limited time offers are perfect for introducing new flavors, and based on the LTO’s sales, you may even want to keep the new flavor in the rotation permanently.
Another great way to push soup sales is with bundling. When it comes to meals like lunch and dinner, customers are often more inclined to buy soup if it comes with a salad or sandwich. Bundling adds appeal to the customer, because the meal is more valuable to them when it includes more than one item, and it will also lead to higher rings for you.