The saying goes that variety is the spice of life. When it comes to foodservice menus, no truer words can be said. Whether it’s better-for-you or indulgent trends, beverage menus are being retooled to accommodate drinks that fit these molds, and The Coca-Cola Co., Atlanta, wants to make sure it is working with its foodservice partners to develop all kinds of specialty beverage solutions.
“Research shows that consumers want new beverages, and specialty beverages are expected to account for about 30 percent of beverage growth between 2014 and 2017,” says Clare Pitt, senior manager of full-service restaurant channel planning and development and national foodservice for The Coca-Cola Co. “In fact, non-alcoholic, specialty beverages are expected to grow by 16 percent in that time period, outpacing all foodservice non-alcoholic beverage growth.”