Trends and Toasting: Flatbreads, Tortillas and Wraps When you visit a QSR or fast-casual restaurant, your entrée might not be served on a bun or sandwich bread. Tortillas, flatbreads and other wraps have become a standard offering on menus that run from traditional American fare to unique takes on cuisines from around the world. These bread alternatives meet a variety of current foodservice trends, and operators looking at how their menus can meet customers’ needs should take these considerations into account: Ethnic cuisine – according to the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Industry Forecast, more than two-thirds of consumers surveyed said they were more likely to eat ethnic cuisine in a restaurant than cook it at home. Whether it’s lavash from the Middle East, pita from Greece, naan from Asia or tortillas from Mexico and Central and South America, flatbreads play a key role in creating globally-inspired menu items that consumers want. Creativity – flatbreads provide a blank canvas for chefs to develop innovative products, even blending multiple cuisines within one dish, such as the Asian street tacos from Atlanta-area chain Tin Drum. Healthy – wraps are often perceived as a lower-calorie option, providing an alternative for those who want to enjoy a sandwich, but without traditional bread. On the go – consumers are looking for meals that are portable and meet their “between meal” snacking needs. Wraps, such as the snack wrap lineup from McDonald’s, meet these consumer needs. Spans dayparts – from breakfast wraps at Dunkin’ Donuts to flatbreads at Panera, chains are using alternatives to bread for menu items served throughout the day. Fast-casual, casual and QSR chains with menu items that feature pitas, tortillas or flatbreads are looking for an efficient way to heat the wraps to address a number of needs: help the menu item retain its temperature to stay warm and fresh for the customermake the wrap more pliableimprove the taste of the wrap Our new Flat Bread Toaster utilizes GST technology to deliver a quick and efficient throughput. Able to accommodate a variety of product types, the Flat Bread Toaster can heat: pre-cooked flour or corn tortillas to 160°F (71°C) in approximately 6 secondsuncooked flat flour tortillas to 160°F (71°C) in approximately 12 secondsuncooked flat corn tortillas to 160°F (71°C) in approximately 24 secondsflatbreads to 160°F (71°C) in approximately 6 to 10 seconds The Flat Bread Toaster provides a consistent, ideal temperature, as opposed to just heating wraps in a microwave or taking up space on a flat-top grill — giving operators an ideal solution for their flatbread needs with a dedicated, customizable product.