The season of grilling has arrived. With the warm weather comes the rise in barbeques – especially this month, as May is National BBQ Month.

Rich Products (Rich’s) invites its foodservice customers to make the most of the moment – and the most of their menus – by exploring the tastes that have consumers’ mouths watering. The following are the trending tastes in BBQ, according to the company’s research:

• Spicy Maple – This flavor was one of 2023’s top ten trending menu ingredients. Sweet and savory make for the perfect match in this trend that’s expected to be the next hot honey. 
• Carolina BBQ – According to the company, 52 percent of consumers know what Carolina gold sauce is, and it’s beloved by both Gen X and Millennials. Tangy Carolina-style BBQ sauce is set apart by mustard as an ingredient alongside the typical heroes in the mix.
• White BBQ – This flavor is up 36 percent on menus over the last four years. White BBQ uses a mayo base with plenty of vinegar, sugar, and spices to make a final mouthwatering product.

Rich Products looks to help operators get consumers fired up about new menu additions with a BBQ twist. These trends pair well with several of the company’s products, including buns and flatbreads. Rich’s also provides unique recipes, such as a BBQ Chicken Flatbread Sandwich and a Pork & Slaw Flatbread.