Menu strategy: Combating inflation and ‘protein fatigue’ with pork

About this episode

This episode discusses how fast casual operators can combat rising beef prices by leveraging pork as a cost-effective protein option.

With beef prices climbing — up nearly 60% in the last decade, according to industry veterans —fast casual operators are facing a margin squeeze. The solution to stabilizing food costs while meeting consumer demand for variety may lie in an under-leveraged protein: pork. In this episode of the "Restaurant Operator Podcast," host Cherryh Cansler sits down with Dr. Kristin Hicks-Roof of the National Pork Board and Eddie Flores Jr., co-founder of the 235-unit franchise L&L ...

People in this episode

Host: Cherryh Cansler

Guests: Dr. Kristin Hicks-Roof, Eddie Flores Jr.

Topics covered

• menu strategy
• inflation
• protein fatigue
• pork
• food costs
• consumer demand

Keywords

• menu strategy
• inflation
• pork
• food costs
• protein fatigue
• fast casual
• consumer demand

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: National Pork Board, L&L

More episodes of Restaurant Operator

• Inside the tech stack: How Mattenga’s Pizzeria mastered SEO, 8-second reordering · June 9, 2026 · 23 min
• Navigating the tightest restaurant real estate market in 20 years · June 2, 2026 · 8 min
• How CORE provides financial lifeline for food, beverage workers in crisis · May 26, 2026 · 17 min
• How The Red Chickz brought true Nashville soul to the West Coast · April 28, 2026 · 20 min
• How Juice It Up leads the modern beverage boom · March 24, 2026 · 20 min
• Strategic sizzle: Why Houston TX Hot Chicken prioritizes smart growth over rapid expansion · February 24, 2026 · 21 min