The perfect pizza begins with the right ingredients, and nationwide pizzeria operators now face increasing customer demand for the best of the best. Premium ingredients are making a name for themselves as a highly relevant menu trend that has trickled down from its gourmet, foodie and fine dining roots into nearly every area of foodservice—pizza included.

Discerning customers are on the lookout for unique, premium menu items that will excite and delight their contemporary palates. And while the classics like pepperoni, mushrooms and sausage still hold strong as go-to customer favorites, many pizza lovers are expanding their topping picks into more artisanal options, including prosciutto, Kalamata olives, artichokes, fresh-picked basil, heirloom tomatoes and arugula. In fact, 74% of consumers say that a wide variety of toppings is important in creating a good pizza, according to the Technomic Pizza Consumer Trend Report.

On the Grow

Pizzeria operators who embrace this trend toward fresh, premium ingredients get in on a giant opportunity to increase their profit margins and propel meaningful business growth. Just look at the numbers:

One-third of customers say they are willing to pay extra for premium menu items, Technomic also reports. Clearly, ingredient quality is a highly compelling message—one with the power to attract valuable new customers in mass.

From Good to Unforgettable

From toppings, sauce, seasonings and dough to the cheese that brings it all together, premium ingredients have expanded their reach to impact essentially every step of the pizza preparation process. Leading suppliers like Bacio® cheese make it easy for pizzeria operators to satisfy customers’ growing appetites for better quality.

Bacio cheese is crafted from all-natural, premium ingredients, including the signature Kiss of Buffalo Milk™ from which it gets its name. Bacio, meaning kiss in Italian, offers exquisite taste, superb stretch, exceptional melt and excellent reheat to make every bite simply unforgettable. A master cheese maker overlooks the creation of every batch to guarantee uncompromising quality, and Bacio cheese is available in a range of forms (block, shredded, or diced) to suit every need and application.

Exceptional Cheese. Exceptional Support.

Bacio cheese is a premium ingredient that also offers premium programs and support designed to help pizzerias grow. For example, starting in December 2014, Bacio will add tiers to its Bacio Gold Club cash-back rewards program; when operators buy more, they benefit more. Members can use their Bacio Gold Club rewards however they choose, like reinvesting in their businesses, treating their employees or funding other expenses.

Bacio also helps pizzerias make themselves known through a members-only website that offers high-quality marketing materials at an exclusive discount. Custom printing for menus and signage, web and mobile offerings and Bacio-branded promo items are all available to help participating partners increase local awareness and grow their business. It’s something that pizzerias can only get with Bacio, and it’s the mark of a truly premium partner.

To learn more about Bacio's products and schedule a free demo, visit baciocheese.com or call 855-222-4685.