The Power of Shareables

As the boundaries of traditional dining continue to blur, a modern eating ethos has emerged. Smaller portions, social bites and all-day grazing are replacing rigid dayparts as consumers adapt to the rhythm of today’s clockless, on-the-go lifestyle. Diners crave flexibility and flavor, gravitating toward snacks and shareables that feel special, turning every bite into a moment of connection.

It’s no surprise that snacking is now a daily habit for nearly two-thirds of consumers, with over one third snacking multiple times a day, per Kantar Profiles/Mintel.* And according to a Numerator survey, consumers associate King’s Hawaiian with descriptors like “crowd-pleasing,” “shareable” and “irresistible.”

From bar menus and happy hours to snacks and shareables, menu developers can rely on King’s Hawaiian to deliver products that build convivial, craveable experiences. Its range of iconic rolls, slider buns and loaves bring flexibility to kitchen operations and beloved familiarity to the table.

TREND 1: PULL-APART BREADS

Few shareables tap into communal eating quite like pull-apart breads—one of today’s biggest
trends in both casual and elevated formats. The Cheesy Brisket Pull-Apart Bread goes all-in on indulgence: a full King’s Hawaiian^® Original Round Bread is stuffed with regular and smoked cheddar, brushed with chile-spiced garlic butter and loaded with saucy barbecue brisket. It’s craveable, comforting and perfectly positioned for bar menus, brunch boards, snacking menus and late-night offerings alike.

TREND 2: SWEET SNACKS

Modern diners—especially Gen Z—are drawn to snacks that deliver fun, flavor and a little bit of spectacle. The King’s Hawaiian^® Ice Cream Slider delivers all that and more, combining Tillamook^® ice cream and nostalgic toppings like Fruity Pebbles™ and Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ sandwiched between a pillowy King’s Hawaiian^® Original Slider Bun or a soft-yet-savory King’s Hawaiian^® Pretzel Slider Bun. These kinds of playful, over-the-top builds tap into the growing demand for menu items that surprise and delight, practically begging for a social share.

TREND 3: CLASSIC SHAREABLE, REINVENTED

The Cheddar Ale Bowl with Wings & Things rethinks the classic party dip with a high-impact twist. Served inside a hollowed King’s Hawaiian^® Original Round Bread and surrounded by craveable sides like onion rings and wings, it merges the comfort of warm queso with the convivial format of edible bowls. As queso and spinach-artichoke dip maintain menu popularity, this innovation gives chefs a familiar foundation with a fresh, fun format.

For more menu inspirations that showcase today’s top trends, visit kingshawaiianfoodservice.com.

*Kantar Profiles/Mintel (November 2023, December 2024)