Sponsored by Lamb Weston
If you stop to think about it, there are certain qualities so indispensable to a product or service that you wouldn’t consider purchasing them if that standard isn't met. When you check into a hotel, it has to be clean. Buying a car? Only if it’s safe. Ordering French fries? They have to be crispy. Sounds simple, yet it’s incredibly important.
Why crispiness matters
No one enjoys a soggy fry. That’s why, as a restaurant operator, understanding what your guests crave means you also need to understand what crispiness is and why it matters to your guests as well as your bottom line.
Crispiness is, in fact, the number one attribute people want when it comes to fries. It’s even more important than temperature1. The crispier your fries, the more your guests will love them. The consumer demand for crispy fries has driven innovations like coated and battered fries in the last decade, contributing to the tremendous growth of these products. The power of the crispy fry. Who knew?
So what makes the ideal crispy fry? We’re glad you asked. There are three components consumers recognize as ‘crispy’ - sound, roughness, and hardness. Sound is the audible noise a fry makes when it is bitten into. The louder it is, the crispier it is. Roughness is a result of the amount of small and large particles on the surface of the fries. The rough surface texture not only gives the visual appearance of crispy, it also feels crispy on the lips. Last but not least is hardness - the amount of resistance you feel as you bite into a fry. It’s not too soggy and not too hard or crunchy. The perfect fry should have a crispy shell with a fluffy baked potato interior. All these together allow consumers to experience a delicious, satisfying crispy fry.
Why crispiness matters to you
As an operator, why would you want to menu extra crispy fries? Because that is what your guests are craving. By offering crispy fries on your menu, you are practically guaranteeing guest satisfaction. That is critically important since 54% of guests select restaurants based on the fries menued2. And satisfying guest cravings is the best way to keep them coming back.
Extra crispy fries are great for your guests and your operation. Extra crispy fries are great for topped and loaded menu offerings because they keep their crispiness even after they are covered in all kinds of sauces and toppings. Loaded fry dishes command a median price $2.81 higher than French fry apps and sides overall3. So, you will help to increase your bottom line at the same time you are giving your guests what they crave.
Lamb Weston offers an entire category dedicated to Extra Crispy fries, including three different levels of crispiness. Lamb Weston offers three different Extra Crispy fries options. Lamb Weston® Crispy on Delivery fries feature a smooth batter with tender crispiness. Lamb Weston® Colossal Crisp fries come with a thick, uneven batter for maximum crispiness. And Lamb Weston® Seasoned fries feature a crispy and craveable seasoned batter. Just choose the right batter and seasoning to deliver the best eating experience to your guests. Lamb Weston Extra Crispy Fries stay crispy for up to thirty minutes, giving your guests the best experience whether it's dine-in, drive-thru, takeout or delivery.*
Contact a Lamb Weston Fry Expert to learn more about the Extra Crispy Fry portfolio or visit https://www.lambweston.com/resources/simplified-strengthened/extra-crispy-fries
