# Cuba-Inspired Breakfast Sandwiches 7-Eleven's New Cubano Melt Puts a Spin on a Tasty Florida Dish By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2016-08-16 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubano-melt References: [chewboom](http://www.chewboom.com/2016/08/15/7-eleven-adds-new-cubano-melt-sandwich/) & [7-eleven](https://www.7-eleven.com/Food/Sandwiches/) 7-Eleven recently expanded its existing lineup of [breakfast sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spicy-mcmuffin) with the addition of the tangy Cubano Melt. The new sandwich puts a tasty spin on the classic Cuban sandwich, which originated in Florida's Cuban communities. Like the original Cuban sandwich, 7-Eleven's Cubano Melt combines [ham, Swiss cheese](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ham-and-swiss-pretzel-sliders), dill pickles and a mustard-based mayo. However, instead of roasted pork, the 7-Eleven version of the sandwich features [pulled pork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hardees-menu-items). The sandwiches are made fresh daily and served on authentic telera rolls. Customers can also request to have the sandwich toasted any time of day or night. The introduction of the Cubano Melt to the 7-Eleven menu not only demonstrates that the convenience store chain is attempting to cater to the early-morning breakfast crowd, but it also demonstrates the growing popularity of regional dishes across the US. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 55% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Regional Dish-inspired Convenience Store Products:** Convenience stores are creating new menu items inspired by traditional regional dishes, presenting innovation opportunities for culinary creativity and expansion of culturally diverse offerings. - **Non-traditional Ingredient Combinations in Breakfast Sandwiches:** Introducing unconventional ingredients in classic breakfast sandwiches creates new flavor experiences and disruptive innovation opportunities for fast food chains. - **Customization in Fast Food:** Offering customizable options in fast food menus for customers to personalize their orders create a new level of engagement and innovation opportunity for fast food chains. ### Where This Applies - **Convenience Stores:** Convenience stores can further innovate by introducing more diverse and regional dishes to their breakfast menus. - **Fast Food Chains:** Fast food chains can explore the use of non-traditional ingredients in classic menu items to introduce new flavor experiences to customers. - **QSR Technology Providers:** Fast food technology companies can innovate by creating customizable options for fast food menus to enhance customer engagement and satisfaction. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Hefty Pork Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/potbelly-cubano.md) - [Cuban-Inspired Sub Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubano-sub-sandwich.md) - [Vegan-Friendly Cuban Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-cubano-sandwich.md) - [Convenience Store Breakfast Burritos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-breakfast-burritos.md) - [Cuban Sandwich-Inspired Burgers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cubano-charburger.md) - [Bagel-Inspired Breakfast Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/everything-bagel-breakfast-sandwich.md) - [Convenience Store Breakfast Deals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mini-spicy-breakfast-empanadas.md) - [Value-Focused Breakfast Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/waffle-breakfast-sandwich.md) - [Plant-Based Retailer Breakfast Sandwiches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/7eleven-plantbased-breakfast-sandwich.md)