Despite sticking to the same menu for the past 15 years, the popular burger chain In-N-Out is breaking with tradition by adding Hot Cocoa to its menu. The monumental change means that customers are no longer limited to shakes and sodas when it comes to grabbing a drink from the popular fast food chain.
As of late December, In-N-Out began selling 8-ounce cups of hot cocoa at its locations in Utah, California, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Oregon. The drink is made from Ghirardelli Chocolate cocoa powder and hot water, and mini marshmallows can be added on top or on the side.
While the addition of the new drink may seem like a departure for the chain, the item was actually originally on the menu back in the 1950s. As company president Lynsi Snyder explains, "This is actually the return of hot cocoa." She added, "I'm not sure how it fell off the menu but it's part of our culture and something special for kids, and I'm happy that we're bringing it back."
Burger Chain Hot Chocolates
In-N-Out Now Offers Hot Cocoa at Select Restaurants
Trend Themes
1. Menu Expansion - In-N-Out adding hot cocoa to its classic menu suggests that fast-food chains can still appeal to traditional consumers while taking calculated risks with additions.
2. Childhood Nostalgia - With the popularity of bringing back discontinued menu items, there is potential for capitalizing on a sense of nostalgia for childhood favorites.
3. Gourmet Comfort Foods - Integrating high-quality ingredients such as Ghirardelli Chocolate cocoa powder into traditional quick-service offerings taps into consumers' desire for gourmet comfort foods.
Industry Implications
1. Quick-service Restaurants - Introducing new and surprising menu items to well-established quick-service chains can generate buzz and introduce new audiences to their brand, while still retaining their core offerings.
2. Food and Beverage Manufacturing - Manufacturers of high-quality ingredients like Ghirardelli Chocolate cocoa powder may have opportunities working with traditional quick-service restaurants to incorporate their gourmet products into affordable menu items.
3. Foodservice Equipment - The adaptation to menu changes includes sourcing new foodservice equipment such as hot cocoa dispensers, along with finding alternate ingredient suppliers to reliably match the quality and flavour of Ghirardelli Chocolate cocoa powder, which creates an opportunity for equipment providers.