Patrick Oconnell
Pizza restaurants often provide cheese shakers for customers to season their pizza slices. The shakers can be filled with various toppings such as grated parmesan or Romano cheese, crushed red pepper, or oregano. Some restaurants, like Pizza Hut, sell or provide these shakers with orders, while others may require customers to request toppings. Customization options for cheese shakers include branding with a pizzeria's logo and offering them as promotional items with certain purchases.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Contents | Cheese, crushed red pepper, oregano |
| Use | Enhance flavour of pizza |
| Customisation | Custom shakers with pizzeria logo |
| Marketing | Advertising and promotional opportunities |
| Branding | One-colour, full-colour, or frosted shaker |
| Lid | Metal or polypropylene plastic |
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What You'll Learn
Branding and marketing opportunities
Pizza restaurants typically fill cheese shakers with grated parmesan or Romano cheese, crushed red pepper, or oregano. Customizing these shakers offers branding and marketing opportunities.
Customized cheese shakers can be used as a promotional tool to enhance brand recognition and create a unique dining experience for customers. Here are some ways to leverage customized cheese shakers for branding and marketing:
Replace Ordinary Shakers: Upgrade your standard cheese shakers with custom-designed shakers featuring your pizzeria's logo and brand colors. This simple swap will make a bold statement and reinforce your brand identity on each table.
Catering Events: Bring your customized cheese shakers to catering events and place them prominently next to your food. This will not only elevate the dining experience but also serve as a visual reminder of your brand, associating your delicious food with your unique branding.
Customer Incentives: Run promotions or incentives where customers receive a free customized cheese shaker with a qualifying purchase. For example, you could offer a free shaker with the purchase of two large two-topping pizzas. This not only adds value to the customer's experience but also turns them into brand ambassadors who will use and display your shaker long after their meal.
Online Sales: Offer customized cheese shakers for sale on your website or online ordering platforms. This can be a fun extra for customers to add to their orders, and it provides an additional revenue stream for your business.
Consistency and Quality: Customized cheese shakers can also be an opportunity to showcase your commitment to quality and consistency. By providing customers with the exact blend of cheese or spices you use in your restaurant, you ensure that they can recreate the authentic taste experience at home.
By leveraging these opportunities, you can transform an everyday table accessory into a powerful marketing tool that extends the reach of your brand beyond the walls of your restaurant.
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Customisation
Replace Ordinary Shakers with Customised Shakers:
Ordinary cheese shakers can be replaced with custom cheese shakers featuring your pizzeria's logo and brand colours. This not only makes a bold statement on each table but also acts as a powerful marketing tool. CustomCheeseShakers.com and ForeverLids.com offer signature products that combine sustainability with limitless branding and promotional capacity.
Enhance Brand Recognition:
Customised cheese shakers can be used as a unique branding opportunity. Place filled custom cheese shakers branded with your pizza restaurant's logo at catering events or include them with delivery orders. This way, everyone will know exactly where that delicious pizza came from, and your brand will be recognised and remembered.
Offer Custom Shakers as Promotions:
Consider offering custom cheese shakers as a promotional item with qualifying purchases. For example, you could advertise a deal such as "Buy 2 large two-topping pizzas and receive a free custom shaker". This not only adds value to the customer's purchase but also increases brand loyalty and creates a memorable experience.
Customise the Contents:
In addition to customising the shaker itself, you can also offer a variety of unique blends or flavours of grated cheese, crushed red pepper, or oregano to set your restaurant apart. Experiment with different combinations to create signature blends that complement your pizzas and keep customers coming back for more.
Consider Customer Preferences:
While customising your cheese shakers, it is essential to consider your target audience and their preferences. For example, some customers may prefer fresh, high-quality parmesan or Romano cheese instead of the traditional shaker cheese. Listen to your customers' feedback and adjust your offerings accordingly.
Custom cheese shakers offer a unique opportunity to enhance your brand, create memorable customer experiences, and build brand loyalty. By customising both the shaker and its contents, you can make a strong statement and stand out in the competitive pizza restaurant industry.
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Enhancing the customer experience
Pizza restaurants commonly provide cheese shakers filled with grated parmesan or Romano cheese, crushed red pepper, or oregano. These condiments are often used by customers to add a final touch of flavor to their pizza. While some restaurants opt for generic cheese shakers, others view them as a branding opportunity, offering custom shakers with their logo to enhance the customer experience and promote their brand.
Custom cheese shakers can be used as a marketing tool to create a memorable dining experience for customers. For instance, restaurants can offer a free custom shaker with a qualifying purchase, such as buying two large pizzas. This not only adds value to the customer's order but also serves as a unique souvenir that reminds them of the restaurant long after their meal. Custom cheese shakers can also be strategically placed at catering events, reinforcing brand visibility and leaving a lasting impression on guests.
In addition to marketing, custom cheese shakers address health and durability concerns associated with traditional metal lids. Forever Lids, for example, offers polypropylene plastic lids that are more resistant to denting, rusting, and corrosion caused by the acids in cheese. This ensures that customers are protected from potential health risks, and the restaurant maintains a presentable appearance.
While the contents of cheese shakers may seem like a minor detail, they play a significant role in shaping the overall dining experience. By embracing innovation and branding opportunities, pizza restaurants can elevate the customer experience, foster brand loyalty, and stand out in a competitive market.
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Cheese alternatives
Pizza restaurants typically provide cheese shakers for customers to add extra cheese to their pizza. While some people enjoy adding extra cheese to their pizza, others may prefer to use less cheese or choose alternative toppings.
There are several cheese alternatives that can be used in pizza restaurant cheese shakers. One option is to offer vegan cheese options, such as cashew milk mozzarella or other vegan cheese varieties. These vegan cheeses have improved significantly in taste and texture, offering a healthier option for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a healthier choice. The liquid vegan cheese, for instance, solidifies in the oven, creating a thin layer of cheese with a mild flavour that harmonises well with the sauce and bread.
Another option is to provide low-calorie, high-volume, and high-protein alternatives such as Greek yoghurt, fat-free cottage cheese, or fat-free ricotta. These alternatives can be used as toppings or mixed with other ingredients to create a unique blend of flavours. Additionally, some people may prefer to use less cheese overall and focus more on other toppings to enhance the taste of their pizza.
Some pizza restaurants may also offer crushed red pepper or oregano in their cheese shakers as alternative toppings. These spices can add a unique flavour and aroma to the pizza, providing a different experience for customers.
Customisation is key, and by offering a range of cheese alternatives and toppings, pizza restaurants can cater to diverse preferences and dietary needs. Whether it's vegan options, low-calorie choices, or unique spice blends, these alternatives can elevate the dining experience and create memorable moments for customers.
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Quality and health considerations
Firstly, the type of cheese used in the shaker is crucial. While pre-grated cheese may be convenient, it often contains additives and anti-caking agents, affecting both taste and melting ability. Using a higher-quality cheese, such as freshly grated Parmesan or Romano, will enhance the flavour profile and melting characteristics. These cheeses are also referred to as "shaker cheese" in some regions, indicating their popularity in this context. However, it is essential to be mindful of the health concerns associated with these specific cheeses. Parmesan and Romano cheese contain sodium, lactic acid, and citric acid, which can cause corrosion and rusting of metal shaker lids. To address this issue, polypropylene plastic lids, like the Forever Lid, offer a durable and safe alternative.
Another consideration is the potential impact on the overall dining experience and the intended flavours of the pizza. While some customers may enjoy adding extra cheese or spices, it is important to respect the chef's original creation. Overusing shaker ingredients can overpower the delicate balance of flavours intended by the pizza chef. This is particularly relevant when it comes to spices like crushed red pepper, which can be offered upon request rather than left on tables, allowing customers to season their pizza to their taste without overwhelming the original flavours.
Furthermore, the cleanliness and maintenance of cheese shakers are vital health considerations. Regular refilling and cleaning of the shakers are necessary to prevent cross-contamination and the growth of bacteria. Proper storage conditions, such as airtight containers and refrigeration, can help extend the shelf life of the shaker contents and maintain their quality. Additionally, offering individually packaged single-use shakers can be a hygienic alternative, especially for takeaway or delivery orders.
Lastly, it is worth noting that some pizzerias may opt to use custom-branded cheese shakers as a marketing strategy. While this approach can enhance brand visibility and provide a unique customer experience, it is essential to prioritise quality and health standards. Custom shakers should still meet food safety regulations and be properly maintained to ensure the well-being of customers.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese shakers in pizza restaurants are usually filled with grated parmesan or Romano cheese. They can also contain crushed red pepper or oregano.
Custom cheese shakers can be used to enhance your brand and make your customers' experience memorable. For example, you can place a filled custom cheese shaker with your pizza restaurant's logo at a catering event. You can also give away custom cheese shakers with qualifying purchases.
Forever Lids are polypropylene plastic lids created by restaurateur Charles Salamone to address the frequent issues with classic metal shaker lids, such as denting, rusting, and corrosion caused by the sodium, lactic acid, and citric acid found in Parmesan and Romano cheese.
Yes, some pizza chains like Pizza Hut sell little cheese shakers for $1 or $2 each. However, the cheese in these shakers may not be of the same quality as fresh parmesan or other types of cheese that you can buy in larger quantities at the grocery store.
The cheese in the shakers is commonly referred to as "shaker cheese," "sprinkle cheese," "Parm," or "green top Parm." The term "shaker cheese" seems to be more prevalent in the Midwest region of the United States.
