Morning Breakfast Menus, All-Day Breakfast Sales

Breakfast is big in every segment, with an impressive 73% of consumers having breakfast daily.¹ But it pays to invest not just in the morning menu, but beyond — after all, 2 in 3 consumers (67%) want more egg options outside of the breakfast daypart.¹  

An all-day breakfast menu with creative specialties, whether healthy or indulgent, helps give breakfast operators an advantage over the competition. Here are a few on-trend categories to consider: 

Egg Sandwiches: Play The Classics 

Many consumers are looking for breakfast foods they can’t — or at least, don’t have to — make at home. Breakfast sandwiches are an always craved classic² you can upgrade or upscale with just a few tweaks: 

• Start with a strong base — Egg and cheese are always a great pair to start with, often paired with breakfast mainstay proteins like bacon and sausage, or Southern favorites like chicken or chorizo. 
• Add a (veggie) twist — Tomatoes and arugula are often used to freshen up breakfast handhelds, but you can stand out with scallions, chive, or jalapenos. 
• Choose the right “bread” — There are many grains great for holding foods and flavors: breads, croissants, English muffins, biscuits (with gravy), and even sweets like pancakes, waffles, or French toast. 

Baked Eggs (Poached Eggs) Are Big 

Baked egg dishes are a creative menu addition that’s low on labor. Simply ladle sauce into an ovenproof dish and crack in a couple of eggs. Poached eggs are famous in French dishes like eggs benedict, but Arabic and Israeli baked egg dishes are growing in popularity.² 

• Oeufs en Meurette — This classic French specialty consists of eggs poached in red wine that is thickened and enriched with bacon lardons, mushrooms, and shallots. 
• Shakshuka — A staple of Arab and Israeli cuisines, shakshuka is both a spicy sauce of tomatoes, peppers (both sweet and Chile), and onions, as well as the breakfast specialty in which eggs are poached or baked in the sauce. 
• Poached Eggs in Purgatory — Poaching eggs in a tomato sauce of varied spiciness is an Italian tradition. 

Liquid Breakfasts 

Shakes and smoothies represent an easy-to-enjoy breakfast with a less-filling profile and the added advantage of grab-and-go convenience. 

• Additions and supplements such as whey powder, coconut oil, and vitamin boosts add nutrients — and value. 
• Mix cold brew or iced coffee into blended breakfast drinks as a two-for-one answer to hunger and caffeine. Cocoa can also be blended into breakfast shakes. 
• The popularity of green smoothies made with kale, collards, spinach, green grapes, avocado, and other fruits and veggies is a trend worth pursuing. 

Go for the Grains 

Grains, especially the ancient kind, come complete with a healthy nutritional profile and increasing appeal.² 

• Upgrade oatmeal or savory porridge with ancient grains, then add seeds, nuts, cheese, and the option of a plant-based milk alternative for good measure. 
• Sub in whole grain flour for plain in waffle and pancake batters, trendy fried chicken and waffles, and muffins like whole wheat banana. 
• Offer grain-based cold cereals such as granola or muesli, or energy bars made with these pliantly crunchy products, for a trendy health option. 

Make a Hash of Things 

Your all-day breakfast sales can be bolstered by all-day proteins, and never was there a better way to repurpose cooked meat than in hash: 

• The all-time classic version is typically made with leftover corned beef or roast beef. 
• Do a vegetarian version of hash with sweet potatoes, caramelized onion, and rosemary, topped with creamy burrata. 
• Want to upscale your hash? Try short rib, duck confit, smoked turkey, or even haddock or salmon. Pair with fingerling potatoes, lots of fresh herbs, and of course perfectly poached eggs. 

^{1  Datassential Breakfast & Brunch, March 2024 ; 2 Datassential Breakfast, February 2024}