Slideshow: Foodservice innovation leans on LTOs

KANSAS CITY — Foodservice operators are utilizing limited-time menu offerings to spark innovation.

Domino’s Pizza, for instance, added to its dessert menu with the limited-time s’mores lava cake. The nostalgia-inspired item features a graham cracker cake surrounding a chocolate chip and marshmallow-flavored filling, all topped with powdered sugar. The limited-time s’mores lava cake is set to roll out nationwide July 27.

“Customers already love our chocolate lava cakes, so we wanted to take that experience a step further with a flavor that’s both nostalgic and irresistible,” said Kate Trumbull, executive vice president and chief marketing officer for Domino’s.

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar is aiming to combine two classic menu items with its bacon cheeseburger wanton tacos. Available now through Aug. 16, the appetizer places ground beef, smoked bacon, pickles and melted cheddar cheese inside a fried shell.

“Combining two of our guests’ favorite dishes to create our new bacon cheeseburger wonton tacos was a no-brainer,” said Michelle Chin, chief marketing officer at Applebee’s. “It packs bold American comfort in every bite: seasoned ground beef, melted cheddar, applewood-smoked bacon, pickles and a drizzle of spicy honey mustard.”

Krispy Kreme has partnered with the Girl Scouts of the USA to debut a limited-time collection of Girl Scout cookie-inspired donuts. The collection includes the Thin Mints donut, a glazed donut dipped in chocolate icing and topped with Thin Mints pieces, dark chocolate chips and a mint green icing drizzle; the Lemon-Ups donut, an unglazed shell donut with lemon crisp kreme filling that is dipped in lemon-flavored icing; and the Coconut Caramel donut, a glazed donut that is dipped in chocolate icing then topped with coconut and caramel.

“Girl Scout cookie flavors are iconic for a reason,” said Alison Holder, chief brand and product officer at Krispy Kreme. “Reimagining them as donuts is a fun way to bring those familiar favorites to fans in a completely new and truly irresistible way.”