News

Orange is the new white ... at least for fries

June 6, 2016

The hot potato these days in the restaurant industry may not be that old reliable pale-meated tuber so cherished by Americans, but rather its orange-skinned cousin, the sweet potato. In fact, according to McCain foods, a supplier of the sweet potato dishes for the restaurant industry, sweet potato demand has grown 19 percent in each of the past five years.

It’s all part of the increasing consumer love for all things healthful and nutritious, according to a news release. In fact, the release said, restaurant guests increasingly view sweet potato dishes such as fries as "special" menu items for which they are willing to pay more. And just in case you wondered how much more, the company reports that according to research on that very topic, guests who ordered sweet potato fries spent, on average, about $3.50 more than the average customer.