Sharing is caring

Shareable snacks and vegetarian sides are becoming a core part of fast food menus, says Central Foods, which now includes the Le Duc brand

Across the UK fast food sector, operators are increasingly looking for ways to broaden menus while maintaining speed and efficiency in the kitchen. Alongside traditional favourites such as burgers, fried chicken and pizza, shareable snacks and side dishes are playing a growing role in driving customer spend.

Oli Sampson, managing director of Central Foods, comments: “Industry analysis suggests that meal deals and bundled offers now account for around 20% of fast food menu items, highlighting the importance of add-on products in increasing basket spend.

“At the same time, consumer interest in meat free options continues to rise, with around one-third of UK consumers now identifying as flexitarian, meaning they are actively reducing their meat consumption rather than eliminating it entirely.”

Against this backdrop, European manufacturer Le Duc is bringing its specialist range of vegetarian frozen appetisers to the UK fast food sector through a partnership with Central Foods.

Founded in 1998 and headquartered in the Netherlands, Le Duc is a family-owned company specialising in 100% vegetarian frozen snacks. The business has built its reputation around nature-based appetisers such as onion rings, cheese snacks and coated vegetables, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern production techniques.

The growing role of sharable snacks

Sides and sharable snacks have become increasingly important within fast food menus, helping operators increase spend per visit while offering customers more variety.

Research suggests the UK fast food sector is already worth around £40.5 billion, with the wider food-to-go and quick service market continuing to grow steadily through to 2029.

Products such as onion rings, cheese bites and breaded vegetables are particularly well-suited to fast-food environments, says Oli,  because they complement core menu items such as burgers, fried chicken and wraps. “For operators, these types of products offer a straightforward way to expand menus without introducing additional complexity in the kitchen.

“Le Duc’s range is ideal for professional kitchens where speed, consistency and convenience are essential. The products are pre-prepared and quick-frozen, helping operators reduce preparation time while maintaining consistent quality during service.”

Most items can be cooked directly from frozen using standard fast-food equipment, including deep fryers and high temperature ovens.

“This flexibility means operators can introduce new menu items without investing in additional equipment or altering existing kitchen workflows,” adds Oli. 

A versatile vegetarian snack range

The Le Duc range includes a variety of vegetarian appetisers suitable for sharing platters, bar snacks or side dishes, such as battered and breaded onion rings, mozzarella sticks, camembert bites and breaded mushrooms. Many are vegetarian approved, while selected items are suitable for vegans, helping operators cater to a broader customer base.

Oil adds: “Many of the products are designed to sit alongside traditional fast food menu items such as burgers, fried chicken and wraps, allowing operators to introduce additional sides without changing existing kitchen equipment or service procedures.

“By combining convenient preparation with familiar flavours, Le Duc’s products provide a practical way for operators to diversify menus while maintaining the speed and efficiency required in high-volume environments.”

Central Foods www.centralfoods.co.uk