When you make your differentiate your pizza, you create magnetism. Hungry consumers are attracted to an identifiable difference. Because a specialty helps you stand out from the crowd, you’re more likely to be first choice when it’s time to select the place to go for pizza.
1. Offer gluten-free pizza.
A growing number of pizzerias are offering alternative options for those who suffer from celiac disease. Those whose diet must be gluten free will bring their friends to your place. Premade, gluten-free crusts are now available frozen. Some pizzerias like to add a disclaimer to their menus because wheat flour is part of the pizzeria environment. Click here to read about the trend or request information about precooked gluten-free meats.
Courtesy of Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN)
2. Serve an authentic Neapolitan pizza.
Play up the romance of an Italian legend. In 1889, when Queen Margherita of Savoy was served a pizza in Naples with the colors of the Italian flag, she liked it so much, it was named after her. Now the Associzione Verace Pizza Napoletana certifies, through a strict process, authentic Marinara and Margherita pizzas. At this time, only 50 pizzerias have been VPN-certified since 1998, but 10 have happened in the past six months. The certification takes a couple of months and is intended to preserve original flavors.
3. Offer green to go.
Eco-awareness means developments in packaging. Along with carry-out pizza boxes made with a high percentage of post-consumer waste, there’s the Greenbox made of 100% recycled material. It breaks down into serving plates and a storage container for leftovers.
Image courtesy of CrispyCones
4. Try out a Pizza Cone.
Popular in Europe, Pizza Cones, which are dough in a cone shape filled with pizza ingredients, are getting a lot of play in America. Especially good for grab ‘n go eating, Pizza Cones are available par-baked, filled or unfilled.
5. Go ‘round the clock.
Imagine being the go-to place in the off hours. It’s working successfully in a pizzeria close to Ohio’s Dayton University, where students are hungry 24/7. The breakfast pizza, like a quiche, is selling very well too. More breakfast pizza ideas for your restaurant.
6. Try pizza tapas-style.
Based on the small-plates trend, personal, bite-sized pizzas could be offered topped with gourmet ingredients—specially seasoned meats, unexpected combinations of vegetables, spices and flavorful sauces—as appetizers or a selection of several for a main course.
7. Build on a grander crust.
In the search for gluten-free crusts, some pizzerias are emerging into a new area. Whole grains, up to ten in a single recipe, including buckwheat, quinoa and nut flours, and even acai berries have been found popular as crust ingredients. The antioxidant properties are popular with the health-conscious consumer.
8. Use artisan cheeses.
Specialty cheeses pack a lot of flavor in a small package and have cachet. Though artisan cheese costs more per pound, you can use much less for the same flavor impact.
9. Search out local produce.
Ed Zimmerman, president of pizza.com, says “This is the easiest, least expensive way to stay on the two hottest food trends—local ingredients and sustainability.” He recommends visiting local farm markets and buying produce from a farmer whom you can then use in your promotion.
10. Offer more nutritional topping choices.
Pizza is mistakenly considered a food to avoid when dieting. However, if you offer the right toppings it can actually be well-balanced option for your more health conscious patrons. Aside from the obvious vegetable choices, offer lower-fat proteins such as ham or chicken.
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