The connection between food, memory, and emotion is undeniable, and comfort food is perhaps the best example of this. Everyone has a dish they rely on for comfort, where taste matters more than anything else. Whether it’s pizza, burgers, or classic pasta dishes, customers depend on comfort foods to satisfy their cravings.
To deliver on customer expectations, it’s crucial for operators to understand what consumers want from their comfort foods. According to Datassential, 71 percent of consumers rank taste as the most important factor, followed by affordability at 53 percent.
Johnsonville recognizes the importance of taste in comfort foods. “At Johnsonville, we are dedicated to staying at the forefront of industry trends,” says Cole Hansen, corporate chef at Johnsonville. “Our talented culinary and research and development teams continuously experiment and refine our formulations, involving operators and consumers through focus groups and panels to gather valuable insights. We also stay informed by leveraging data from respected sources.”
Johnsonville’s diverse selection of specialty sausage flavors, like Queso, Jalapeno Cheddar, Andouille, and Mild Italian, allows for seamless integration into popular comfort cuisines. “Our sausages effortlessly complement traditional American, Mexican, and Italian dishes, elevating everything from artisanal pizzas and juicy burgers to zesty tacos and comforting pasta dishes,” Hansen says.
Tapping into the “newstalgia” trend, Johnsonville is passionate about introducing fresh twists to familiar recipes. Hansen shares an example: “Imagine a Cajun-inspired Mac & Cheese, featuring our distinctive Andouille Smoked Sausage nestled in tender cavatappi pasta, enveloped in a luscious, sharp Cheddar cheese sauce infused with aromatic Cajun spices.”
Gen Z, known for craving bold flavors, presents an opportunity for Johnsonville to showcase its breakfast sausage offerings. “Our Andouille Sausage can add a delightful kick to a Cajun Breakfast Scramble or Spicy Burrito, while our all-natural Maple Sausage Breakfast Links appeal to Gen Z’s desire for quality ingredients,” Hansen says.
Looking forward, Johnsonville is excited to introduce innovative products like the ‘Pizza Recipe Sausage Link’ and ‘Chipotle Cheddar Sausage Link’. “With pizza being identified as the top comfort food choice, our Pizza Recipe Sausage Link offers a fresh take on this beloved dish. And our Chipotle Cheddar Sausage adds a modern twist to traditional comfort foods with its spicy chipotle kick and creamy cheddar infusion,” Hansen says.
By embracing comfort food trends and offering high-quality, flavorful sausages at an affordable price point, Johnsonville helps operators satisfy consumers’ cravings for both taste and value. Hansen concludes, “As we continue to innovate, we remain dedicated to crafting sausages that not only satisfy cravings for comfort but also inspire culinary creativity and elevate the dining experience for our customers.”
Step up your comfort food offerings with Johnsonville sausage at johnsonvillefoodservice.com.
