Slideshow: Serving up seasonal menu innovations

KANSAS CITY — Foodservice operators are garnering consumer interest with a variety of seasonal and limited-time introductions.

For instance, Paris Baguette unveiled a line of lemon blueberry and s’mores-inspired menu items. The lemon blueberry menu includes a chiffon cake, a tart, a mochi donut, a king cream donut, an iced macchiato, an iced matcha latte and a lemonade refresher. The s’mores items include a chocolate marshmallow layer cake, a supreme croissant, a Belgian waffle, an iced latte and a frappe.

“Summer is all about slowing down, soaking up moments with loved ones, and treating yourself to flavors that spark joy and bring back memories,” said Cathy Chavenet, chief marketing officer at Paris Baguette North America. “Whether guests are craving something fruit forward and refreshing or something more nostalgic and indulgent, our menu was created to embody the essence of summer.”

Atlanta-based Sonic Drive-In has debuted two limited-time tropical menu additions. The tropical heat Sonic smasher features two smashed beef patties, bacon, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, mayonnaise and a jalapeño pineapple glaze. The company’s tropical cream slush blends pineapple pieces and vanilla soft serve with a pineapple and coconut slush.

Donatos Pizza has launched three white sauce pizzas. The limited-time offerings include a triple meat alfredo pizza, with meatballs, sausage, bacon and basil; a chicken vegetable pizza, with chicken breast, mushrooms, green peppers, Roma tomatoes, provolone cheese and Romano cheese; and Mike’s hot honey meaty alfredo pizza, with pepperoni, sausage, provolone cheese, chili seasoning and a drizzle of Mike’s hot honey.

“The launch of this trio of white sauce pizzas shows how much our guests enjoy bold new takes on our classics,” said Jodie Conrad, chief marketing officer of Donatos Pizza. “We wanted to offer a full range of experiences, from a lighter option to something meaty to a little kick.”