We know labor drives the foodservice experience and is key to success. But, staffing issues are a real problem in the industry, and even more so for Healthcare operators. In addition to making residents feel valued, senior living operators want to be sure the food they serve is the best tasting out there. And they want to provide enough variety to prevent menu fatigue. But there’s a push-pull happening, because labor challenges like employee retention and improving training make it difficult to achieve those priorities.

Need Low Labor Solutions? It’s In the Bag

Thanks to the latest baking innovations, healthcare operators don’t need a pastry chef to make perfect baked goods, nor additional staff, for that matter. Krusteaz Professional has developed Ready to Bake Batters that are bag-to-pan easy. There’s no measuring, no mixing, no thaw time, and minimal training which means even new hires can make fresh brownies, cakes, cupcakes, muffins, and honey cornbread with little effort. The prepared, ready to bake batter in a bag holds inclusions well and allow for customization so operators can do more with one pour while simultaneously delighting residents.

Save Time, Simply POUR. BAKE. AMAZE!™

The time saved on the prep line frees back-of-house staff to create menu items that can help provide more variety for residents.

Krusteaz Professional Ready to Bake Batters offer:

  • Less labor – no mixing, no measuring
  • Flexibility to customize, unlike frozen
  • One product for multiple baked goods so you can do more with one pour
  • Streamlined inventory (no need to add eggs or water)
  • 8-10 month refrigerated shelf life
  • Stays fresh up to 5-days once baked and tightly wrapped, reducing waste

Adding Flavor Without A Lot of Extra Labor

Seniors crave something nostalgic — the comforting taste of home. Something made just for them. And one-third of older adults characterize themselves as “food explorers” looking for adventure in new tastes and flavors.

Cakes, muffins, brownies and cornbread, especially, are in demand and ready for a signature twist. Utilizing speed-scratch for the basics saves time for signature touches. Quick bowl-adds and toppings are easy to execute and can make a big impact on residents.

Use pantry ingredients and inclusions already on hand to build an infinite number of variations on cake, muffins, brownies and cornbread.

For example, swirl Ready to Bake Batters with liquid mix-ins like raspberry jam or caramel. Or stir in fresh blueberries or roasted pecans for added texture and flavor. For honey cornbread, add cheddar one day and top with pork or chicken the next. Serve as a square, muffin, in a skillet or make Johnny-cakes for breakfast all day long.

Leftovers, if there are any, make amazing cornbread croutons. The options are endless to bake into any format of cake, loaf, bar, muffin or skillet residents’ desire.

Skip The Wait Time

Refrigerated batter doesn’t need to be slacked out like a frozen product. Rather it can be used immediately which saves valuable time and labor.

Press and Lock For Convenience

Streamlining operations can make a huge difference along the prep line. Krusteaz Professional, the #1 recommended baking mix brand in Foodservice*, now offers their four most popular griddle mixes in stand-up, resealable pouches – making it a game-changer to drive efficiency with an easy open, easy close, press and lock closure.

From a labor perspective, operators can simply use what they need then seal it for another day. It’s a modern convenience designed to help today’s operator who is facing major labor challenges.

5 Successful Back of House Labor Saving Strategies

These strategies can help senior living operators get ahead of labor issues and make things super Krusteaz-y back of house.

  1. Cross-training: Utilizing Krusteaz Professional Ready to Bake Batters require minimal training – just POUR. BAKE. AMAZE!™ So, even if someone calls off, other staff members can step in. Their easy-to-use baking mixes (pancakes, cakes, muffins, biscuits, etc.) require minimal prep with most requiring “just add water”, reducing labor-intensive baking from scratch.
  2. Maximize ingredient usage: Explore Krusteaz Professional’s website for hundreds of recipes showing multiple uses for each SKU and do more with one pour.
  3. Cross-utilization: The same Ready to Bake Batters and baking mixes can be used in multiple ways. For example, pancake mix can also make waffles, muffins, and quick breads, and Ready to Bake Cake Batters also make muffins, cupcakes and waffles, simplifying inventory and ordering.
  4. Staff recipe contests: Kitchen staff enjoy adding value and getting accolades, promoting loyalty, camaraderie, and fostering teamwork.
  5. Consistent results: Utilizing Ready to Bake Batters and baking mixes mitigates errors in baking, ensuring reliable, high-quality outcomes with minimal oversight.

Fun Community Engagement Ideas

Utilize Krusteaz Professional Ready to Bake Batters and Baking Mixes for…

  1. “Baking with Memories” Event: Residents can bake recipes they remember from childhood, sharing stories while making treats together.
  2. Pancake & PJ Breakfast: A casual, fun social event where residents wear pajamas and enjoy a pancake and waffle bar with toppings.
  3. Cupcake Decorating Contest: Give each resident a set of pre-baked cupcakes and a variety of toppings to decorate their own. Invite grandkids or local youth groups to bake with residents, for a fun, multi-generational connection time.
  4. Themed Baking Nights: “Muffin Monday,” “Waffle Wednesday,” or “Sweet Treats Sunday” where residents come together for fresh-baked goodies.
  5. Baking as Therapy: Baking activities help with dexterity, memory recall, and social interaction, making it an excellent activity for cognitive wellness programs.

Krusteaz Professional is available to provide support, because they believe it is their responsibility to help make back of house operations as Krusteaz-y as possible.

*Source: Datassential Brand Study 2023