Keep Kids on Campus with QSR Meal Copycats

Newsflash: kids love fast food. You probably even watch older students head out to their favorite quick-serve restaurants (QSRs) during the lunch hour. But keeping kids on campus—and getting them excited about your menu—is easier than you think when you have the right inspiration. Here are six ways to mimic fast-food favorites, plus some tips to help bring the QSR experience into your school.

Why Kids Love Quick-Serve Food

Readily-made meals at quick-serve restaurants are designed to be not only rapid, but also so tasty that customers crave them day after day.

In fact, many younger Gen Z-ers gravitate to fast food simply because they love the taste rather than the convenience.¹

Pair this with the idea that these restaurants are common hangout places for friends, and it’s no wonder why students love them.

QSR Copycats to Try in Your Cafeteria

1. Chicken Joint Hot Honey Biscuit Sandwich

Biscuit, JENNIE-O^® Dill-Flavored Breaded Patty #134659, pickles and hot honey. Serve with sweet potato waffle fries to make a meal that will pop eyes and fill tummies.

2. East Coast Style Turkey Sub

Whole grain bun, JENNIE-O^® Oven-Roasted Sliced Turkey #209903, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, red onion, oil & vinegar, and oregano. Prepare as-is or let your students customize their own ingredients.

3. Taco Joint Grilled Tostada Wrap

A crispy tortilla, nacho cheese sauce, JENNIE-O^® Taco-Seasoned Ground Turkey #284028, lettuce, tomato and sour cream in a flour tortilla. These crunchy, wrapped builds have also gone viral on TikTok.

TIP: After assembling the wraps, bake between two sheet pans to hold their shape.

4. Coffee Shop Turkey Pesto Ciabatta Sandwich

Whole grain ciabatta bun, **JENNIE-O^® All Natural* Turkey Breast Strips #616920**, provolone cheese, basil pesto and red bell peppers. (Now all you need is some overpriced coffee.)

5. Pizza Shop Loaded Tots

Tater tots, JENNIE-O^® NAE Slow-Roasted Dark Turkey #133615, cheddar and mozzarella cheese sauce, and garlic parmesan sauce. Hard not to smile with a tasty tot pile!

6. Pizzeria Stromboli

Pizza dough, pizza sauce, JENNIE-O^® Italian Turkey #209612, mozzarella cheese and Italian seasoning. Tossing your pizza dough is not required, but always fun to try!

Tips & Tricks For Mimicking QSRs

Use to-go packaging like JENNIE-O^® foil and paper bags, or add branded stickers to boats.

Serve popular sauces like ranch, hot honey and buffalo.

Let kids customize their meals, similar to quick-serve burrito or sandwich service lines.

Keep an eye on your social media feeds for inspiration from QSR meal trends that go viral.

If you’re able, implement digital ordering to bring the QSR experience all the way to a pickup station.

If you need more ideas to help you see quick-serve success, reach out to your rep!

1 Segmanta 2020
*Minimally processed, no artificial ingredients