Hormel Foods Pizza Experts Unveil Top-5 Topping Trends for 2023 and Beyond

Rhea-AI Summary

Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL) recently highlighted significant pizza topping trends emerging from the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas. The company, recognized for its leadership in foodservice pizza toppings, noted five key trends:

• International Flavors: A surge in Mexican, Thai, and Vietnamese-inspired toppings.
• Non-Traditional Ingredients: Increased popularity of plant-based and dairy-free options.
• Cupping Sausage: New product launch, Fontanini cup-and-char sausage, successfully introduced.
• Spicy Flavors: A consumer preference for complex and bold flavors.
• Cup-and-Char Pepperoni: A trend for layering pepperoni post-bake for added flavor.

With over $12 billion in annual revenue, Hormel is committed to food innovation and meeting evolving consumer preferences.

Positive

• Introduced new Fontanini cup-and-char sausage, expanding product line.
• Identified five key trends that align with evolving consumer preferences, potentially enhancing market position.
• Continues to lead in plant-based food products, addressing growing consumer interest.

Negative

• None.

Regional flavors, non-traditional ingredients on the horizon for pizza lovers

AUSTIN, Minn., April 14, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hot out of the oven from the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Hormel Foods Corporation (NYSE: HRL), a Fortune 500 global-branded food company, the maker of the best-selling retail pepperoni in the United States and a market leader in foodservice pizza toppings, has a pulse on the latest topping trends to help pizzaiolos, aficionados and home cooks everywhere elevate their pizza games.

Pizza-topping experts Kyle Flottman and Colby Strilaeff, both brand managers at Hormel Foods, have spent years working in the pizza-toppings business, and after experiencing the annual Vegas trade show and its 444 exhibitors, Flottman and Strilaeff identified the five key trends to look for in the coming months:

The rise of culinary travel and regional flavors

"One of the fastest growing trends in pizza is international flavors, with Thai, Vietnamese and Mexican flavors topping that ever-growing list," Flottman said. From familiar favorites like chorizo to bold flavors like salsa verde and chicken tinga, a new line of Mexican-inspired toppings from Burke Corporation (Nevada, Iowa) — a Hormel Foods subsidiary — is capitalizing on consumer interests and elevating foodservice operators' menus.

Use of non-traditional ingredients
According to Flottman, plant-based, dairy-free and pickle pizza are just a few variations that have recently taken the pizza world by storm. Hormel Foods continues to be an industry leader in the plant-based game. Its Happy Little Plants^® pepperoni-style topping offers the burst of flavor people love and expect from real-meat pepperoni, but with a plant-based spin. Pickle pizza, paired by some with ranch dressing, has also been growing in popularity since first going viral in 2018.

Cupping sausage
With the popularity of cupping pepperoni reaching an all-time high, Hormel Foods is excited to introduce yet another cupping item to its portfolio of foodservice products. "We recently launched and introduced the new Fontanini^® cup-and-char sausage at this year's International Pizza Expo with great success," Strilaeff said. "We couldn't think of a better combination than Rosa Grande^® pepperoni and Fontanini^® cup-and-char sausage on any size or style of pizza, including deep dish."

Spicy and complex flavors
It's no secret that spicy flavors have long been a staple on pizzas. However, Flottman expects this trend not only to continue, but also to intensify. "Many consumers tie food choices to self-expression," Flottman said. "Consumers want spicy, complex flavors on their pizza pies. And we're not just talking sweet and spicy. Consumers are bending the flavor system with some unlikely matchups, such as chili-dog pizza and Thai curry chicken pizza."

Cup-and-char pepperoni post bake
Whether customers prefer thin, hand-tossed or deep-dish pizza, who doesn't love piling on the pepperoni? Vincent Rotolo from Good Pie in Las Vegas helped launch this trend on social media by heaping a pound of pepperoni onto the restaurant's signature "Triple Pep" pizza, a culinary creation that involves cooking half of the pepperoni in a pan and then placing it on top of the finished pizza.

Hormel Foods has a long-standing reputation for creating innovative and delicious products for foodservice providers and retailers, including its new Fontanini^® cup-and-char sausage and famous signature curl-and-charred Rosa Grande^® pepperoni. For more information about Hormel^® pizza toppings, including recipes, nutritional information and where to buy, visit: https://www.hormelfoods.com/brand/hormel-pepperoni/.

ABOUT HORMEL FOODS — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™

Hormel Foods Corporation, based in Austin, Minn., is a global branded food company with over $12 billion in annual revenue across more than 80 countries worldwide. Its brands include Planters^®, SKIPPY^®, SPAM^®, Hormel^® Natural Choice^®, Applegate^®, Justin's^®, WHOLLY^®, Hormel^® Black Label^®, Columbus^®, Jennie-O^® and more than 30 other beloved brands. The company is a member of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats, was named on the "Global 2000 World's Best Employers" list by Forbes magazine for three years, is one of Fortune magazine's most admired companies, has appeared on the "100 Best Corporate Citizens" list by 3BL Media 13 times, and has received numerous other awards and accolades for its corporate responsibility and community service efforts. The company lives by its purpose statement — Inspired People. Inspired Food.^™ — to bring some of the world's most trusted and iconic brands to tables across the globe. For more information, visit www.hormelfoods.com and http://csr.hormelfoods.com/.

Contact:	Media Relations
	507-434-6352
	media@hormel.com

 

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SOURCE Hormel Foods Corporation

FAQ

What are the top pizza topping trends identified by Hormel Foods for 2023?

Hormel Foods highlighted trends like international flavors, non-traditional ingredients, cupping sausage, spicy flavors, and cup-and-char pepperoni.

What new product did Hormel Foods launch at the International Pizza Expo?

Hormel launched the Fontanini cup-and-char sausage, aiming to enhance their foodservice product offerings.

How much annual revenue does Hormel Foods generate?

Hormel Foods generates over $12 billion in annual revenue, indicating a strong market presence.

What consumer preferences are shaping Hormel's pizza toppings?

Consumers are increasingly interested in international flavors, plant-based ingredients, and spicy, complex flavors.

Where was Hormel Foods' recent product announcement made?

The announcement was made at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.