Restaurants are entering 2026 under continued labor pressure. According to the National Restaurant Association, roughly 62% of operators report not having enough employees to meet demand, and restaurants report that persistent staffing shortages and rising wage costs are forcing kitchens to rethink how work gets done.
So what are restaurant operators and menu creators to do?
As kitchens deal with turnover and hiring gaps, they are consistently prioritizing hands-off ingredients that reduce or simplify prep work and reduce the need for specialized training, says Restaurant Business.
Keep reading to hear about some of these labor savers, ingredients that deliver consistency, reduce kitchen labor, and provide speed and high quality.
Ready-to-Eat and IQF
Ingredients that arrive ready-to-eat and IQF (individually quick frozen) helps kitchens skip multiple prep steps. For instance, Savor’s ready-to-eat IQF poblano peppers arrive roasted, diced, and quick-frozen to preserve freshness. (We recommend these peppers as an addition to soups, sandwiches, or even salad bars!)
Pre-Roasted
Roasting foods gives a beautiful flavor to so many ingredients, but roasting can tie up valuable oven real estate and requires long cook times, which limits flexibility during peak hours. Pre-roasted ingredients ensure a uniform consistency and cut size, and free up oven space and staff time to focus on other tasks.
One of Savor’s best-selling pre-roasted items is our RTE roasted corn kernels. Grilled over an open flame to develop natural sweetness and char, they deliver a burst of sweetness with a subtle char-grilled flavor and provide freezer-to-plate convenience.
And Savor’s IQF Fire-Roasted Southwest Blend is a colorful mix of roasted corn, black beans, bell peppers, poblanos, and red onions. This provides a ready-to-serve solution that reduces prep time and complexity. This blend would be a great addition to salads, salsas, or any kind of Southwestern-inspired dish.
Pickled, Chopped, and More
Similarly, our pickled red onions add bright flavor and crisp bite to tacos, sandwiches, or even pizzas. The flavor comes without the tedious slicing and marinating of your typical red onions. This makes them a very easy flavor upgrade that you could bring to your menu to save time in the kitchen.
Labor challenges aren’t disappearing anytime soon. By building menus around high-quality, ready-to-eat components, chefs can work more efficiently and focus energy where it matters most - ultimately delivering great food and great experiences.
Savor Imports specializes in trends you can source.
Savor's full pantry is available via Dot Foods in as little as one case in as little as two to four days from order date.