Sugar Foods Barista Blend - banner - both - 04.17

Campbells Brands Make Irresistible Flavor a Menu Staple - banner - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Cargill - Truvia Sweet Customer Satisfaction Naturally - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Less Time Less Grease Less Mess - banner - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Style and Substance - banner - both - 04.18

We're All in On Chicken - banner - both - 04.01 - 07.01.25

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - skyscraper - both - 11.20

Essity - Clean Dry Hands - banner - OE - 03.17

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - banner - both - 07.17

Butterball - Quality, Versatility, and Consistency - banner - both - 07.19

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - skyscraper - both - 04.20

Banner Ad - 1 - MM - Recipes - Operator - supersized

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - banner - both - 07.18

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Potato Perks App - banner - both - 05.22

Nestle Stouffers White Cheddar Mac and Cheese - skyscraper - both - 08.18

Empress 5-Compartment School Food Tray - 05.22

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - both - skyscraper - 04.20

La Ranchera Birria Base - both - 09.24

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Beautiful Inside and Out - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Simplot GoodGrains - banner - both - 01.20

Hormel - Fire-Braised Chicken - We Cook It - Operators Take Credit - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods ecoStick Less Waste - banner - both - 10.16

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Dress Your Table for Success - banner - both - 04.18

Cargill - Truvia Serve America's Best-Selling Stevia Sweetener - skyscraper - both - 03.19

Nestle Vitality - Build a Refreshing Beverage Program - banner - both - 04.20

Sugar Foods Deliver It Better - banner - both - 04.20

Simplot GoodGrains - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Honest Earth - Better Potatoes for a Better World - skyscraper - both - 05.23

Simplot Conquest Crispy Potato Strips - banner - both - 01.20

Nestle Stouffer's Comfort Foods Beyond Compare - video - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing and Spread - banner - OE - 10.22

Find Fresh Inspiration - skyscraper - both - 08.22

Tyson - Hillshire Farm - Legendary Brand - skyscraper - both - 04.21

Wild Alaska Salmon Burgers - banner - both - 04.25

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets banner - both - 05.18

Campbells Snacks - Perfect in a Crunch - skyscraper - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Sugar Foods - Add Savory Beet Notes Crispy Beets skyscraper - both - 05.18

Ready to Eat Frozen Vegetables - banner - both - 03.23

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt skyscraper - both - 04.23

Banner Ad - 3 - OE - Operator - supersized

General Mills - Gluten Free Options - banner - both - 03.18

Catch of the Season - banner - both - 07.22

Tork Compact Foodservice Cloths - skyscraper - both - 07.17

Seafood is Better - skyscraper - both - 05.21

Basic American Crispy Craveable Operator banner ad - 12.17

Tork Free Clarity Foam Soap Starter Kit - banner - OE - 06.23

Skyscraper Ad - MM - Heat - Operator

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - skyscraper - both - 05.18

Cargill - Truvia Serve Americas Best Selling Stevia Sweetener - banner - both - 03.19

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Dan's Prize Corned Beef Pastrami - Simple, Tender - banner - both - 04.20

Ambrosia Chocolate - banner - both - 03.23

Kraft - Bold Flavor, New Home. - skycraper - both - 08.22

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Hellmann's Vegan Dressing & Spread - skyscraper - OE - 10.22

Indiana Packers - Vertical Integration - banner - both - 07.21

Hormel - Bacon 1 - Full Case of Bacon No Grease - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Simplot - Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - skyscraper - both - 08.20

McCain - Tactical Takeout Webinar - skyscraper - both - 05.20

Rich's Plant Based and Gluten Free Crusts - skyscraper - both - 07.18

Award Winning Flavor is Here - 2025 Food & Beverage Awards - banner - OE - 06.03 - 12.31.25

Rich's Plant-Based - Good Things Grow - banner - both - 11.20

Jennie-O Take Burgers Over the Top with Turkey - skyscraper - both - 03.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner with chef - both - 04.23

Simplot Sidewinders - Bendy is Trendy - banner - both - 01.20

Sunny Fresh Egg Patty and French Toast - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Campbells Snacks - Ready Set Snacks - banner - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Meats - Unparalleled Flavor - banner - both - 02.20

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocado - banner - both - 01.20

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt skyscraper with chef - both - 04.23

Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt banner - both - 04.23

Sunny Fresh Bacon and Cheese EggStravaganza - banner - both - 03.23

Sugar Food Traina California Dried Fruits - banner - OE - 10.19

Chef-mate We Can Better - skyscraper - both - 06.23

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - banner - both - 07.21

Global Fusion Operator Promo - OE - skyscraper - 05.26 - 08.24.25

Sugar Foods ecoSticks Dress Your Table for Success - skyscraper - both - 04.18

Simplot Pineapple Perfected - RoastWorks - banner - both - 08.20

Wild Alaska Burgers - banner - both - 04.25

Nestle White Cheddar Mac - Mac Pizza - banner - both - 04.19

Reel in Greater Appeal - skyscraper - both - 10.22

Ambrosia Chocolate - skyscraper - both - 03.23

Rich's Plant Based Cooking Creme - skyscraper - both - 02.18

Jennie-O Premium Turkey Breast Products - Turkey that Turns Up the Quality - banner - both - 02.20

Indiana Packers - All-in-One Pork Supplier - skyscraper - both - 07.21

Cooper Shreds Have Now Arrived - banner - 02.24

Reel in Greater Appeal - both - banner - 10.22

Simplot RoastWorks - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Catch of the Season - skyscraper - both - 07.22

Hormel - Fontanini - Handcrafted Family Recipes - skyscraper - both - 02.20

Sugar Foods - Turn Up the Beets Crispy Beets - banner - both - 05.18

Knorr's Cook with More Possibilities - skyscraper - both - 09.24

Simplot Harvest Fresh Avocados - skyscraper - both - 01.20

Butterball - Your Trusted Partner - skyscraper - both - 07.19

Simplot Sidewinders - Make Waves - banner - both - 01.20

Campbells Snacks Spice Up Your Shelves - skyscraper - both - 05.14 - 07.31.25

Dixie Ultra Surface Systems - skyscraper - both - 02.23

Performance Dairy Clarified Butter - banner - both - 04.24

TNT Burgers - Learn More - skyscraper - both - 03.23

In the evolving landscape of foodservice, customization has become a cornerstone of the dining experience. Consumers increasingly seek meals that align with their individual tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyle choices. This shift has propelled build-your-own (BYO) meal options to the forefront, offering diners the flexibility they desire while providing operators with opportunities to streamline operations and enhance satisfaction. From fast-casual to healthcare and campus dining, personalization is no longer a perk&mdash;it&rsquo;s a necessity.
Recent data highlights the value of customization. According to Bluedot&rsquo;s State of What Feeds Us report, 58% of diners say they are more likely to recommend a quick-service restaurant that offers a personalized ordering experience. On the flip side, 33% have opted not to order from a QSR simply because the experience didn&rsquo;t allow for enough customization&sup1;. These numbers send a clear message: personalization isn&rsquo;t just a driver of satisfaction&mdash;it&rsquo;s a make-or-break factor in dining decisions.
From an operational standpoint, BYO models also offer important advantages. Using a simple, adaptable base&mdash;such as mashed potatoes, grains, or pasta&mdash;operators can easily build out menus that appeal to a wide range of preferences without overwhelming the back-of-house. This approach enables efficient prep and service, helps control food costs, and reduces waste, all while increasing perceived value to the guest. It also lends itself to streamlined inventory management, since core ingredients can be cross-utilized.
The rise of personalization also aligns with broader consumer desires for &ldquo;intentional eating&rdquo;&mdash;a trend that emphasizes purpose-driven choices around nutrition, wellness, and flavor variety&sup2;. Offering guests the power to build their own meals allows operators to meet that demand without sacrificing consistency or speed of service.
Technology continues to support these evolving preferences. Self-service kiosks, mobile ordering, and digital menu boards enable easier ordering and more intuitive customization. These tools are helping foodservice operators meet today&rsquo;s customer demands with more accuracy and less strain on staff&mdash;important benefits in a labor-constrained environment&sup3;.
As expectations around convenience and control continue to shape the foodservice industry, build-your-own options offer a compelling solution. Personalization supports diner satisfaction, improves operational agility, and provides a flexible framework for menu development. Whether in a QSR kitchen or a large-scale dining hall, embracing this approach means staying ahead of what guests expect at the table.
Content courtesy of Idahoan Foodservice
&sup1;<a href="https://cstoredecisions.com/customers-want-personalization-consistency-when-dining/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">CStore Decisions &ndash; Bluedot's 2023 Consumer Study</a>
&sup2;<a href="https://restaurantandmore.com/blog/post/top-foodservice-trends-for-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Restaurant &amp; More &ndash; Top Foodservice Trends for 2024</a>
&sup3;<a href="https://modernrestaurantmanagement.com/how-the-foodservice-industry-is-adapting-to-better-meet-consumer-needs-in-2024?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank">Modern Restaurant Management &ndash; Adapting to Consumer Needs in 2024</a>

From fast-casual to healthcare and campus dining, personalization is no longer a perk—it’s a necessity.

Menu Personalization/Build-Your-Own

Archives

About the Menu

Menu Personalization/Build-Your-Own