John Whitcomb, Vice President of Concept Development, is responsible for overseeing the development of new and improved concepts and keeping ahead of industry trends and customer preferences. John’s support team includes executive chefs and managers from all business lines who work together to research and develop concepts, recipes, etc. One of the most critical aspects of the research process is the Advisory Culinary Team (“ACT”), which meets monthly. ACT’s members work together and in subcommittees with other team members throughout the year on various culinary development initiatives.
Our Signature Series concepts are adapted to meet each client’s specific needs and currently include:
Whitsons’ Beantown USA coffee concept is designed to meet our
customers’ growing appreciation for gourmet coffee varieties,
while remaining true to the rich traditions of the coffee bean. For
the daily coffee pots and urns, the finest arabica beans are carefully
selected and slow roasted to achieve maximum flavor and aroma. Our
house blend boasts a smooth, rich flavor and is the cornerstone of
our coffee program. Rich Espresso roasts, varietals, cappuccino, lattes,
flavored, decaffeinated and gourmet coffee beans from around the globe
round out a world class tour for even the most demanding coffee connoisseur.
Additionally, for clients who prefer to use a national brand, Whitsons
has established relationships with well-recognized name brands such
as Starbucks, Lavazza and Green Mountain. Whitsons’ pastry chefs
have developed a selection of delicious fresh baked desserts and breakfast
pastries that are the perfect accompaniment to our coffees. Biscotti,
chocolate-dipped graham crackers, chocolate-covered espresso beans,
after coffee mints and other coffee-related items complement the menu.
A wide variety of coffee merchandise is also available when space
permits, including items such as stainless coffee mugs, bags of coffee
beans, grinders, espresso machines, etc.
Bagel Bite offers a wide selection of fresh-baked bagels
each morning, as well as an assortment of fresh baked pastry selections
and topping choices that include flavored cream cheeses and butters,
plus low fat items such as low fat spreads and sugarless jams. The
appeal of Bagel Bite begins in the morning with a mouthwatering
selection of bagels, muffins, scones, breads pastries, cakes, spreads
and toppings. For lunch, an assortment of specialty biscuits
and rolls make the Bagel Bite a popular stop. Later in the
day, freshly baked breads will draw customers yet again for take
out, gourmet style bread in the finest tradition.
Whitsons’ Great American Sandwich Co. station features a wide
variety of made-to-order upscale sandwiches, heroes and wraps, made
atop fresh breads of all types and featuring quality name brand cold
cuts. We also offer panini sandwiches and sandwich melts.
Sandwiches, like our customers, have evolved over the years and today’s consumers are interested in much more than the basics. They are seeking excitement and pizzaz in their daily meal choices, which is exactly what the Great American Sandwich Company offers our customers. Great American Sandwich Co. is a distinctive sandwich experience featuring freshly roasted meats piled high on fresh baked breads with unique spreads and toppings. The menuing concepts offered at this station can satisfy a variety of consumers, with traditional sandwiches and heroes, light and healthy salads and sandwiches, upscale paninis, wraps and sandwich melts. Customers can choose from a variety of gourmet selections or have a custom sandwich created just for them.
Miss Ruby’s Grill provides fresh grilled options, including
angus beef burgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, steaks, veggie burgers,
turkey burgers and fresh grilled fish. We also offer breakfast omelets
and sandwiches, made to order.
Grill stations continue to be a popular choice, but health and quality concerns are becoming more prevalent. In order to meet the needs of a diverse customer population, the grill needs to be flexible enough to offer a variety of meal solutions. Whitsons’ Miss Ruby’s Grill is an upscale grill station featuring only the finest beef, chicken, fish and vegetarian choices, all prepared to order for the customer. The grilled burger may be an American classic, but at Miss Ruby’s Grill, burgers are just the beginning. In developing the menu for each location, we start with the basics—the tastes and menu items customers look for every day. Then we add exciting new features and combo meals each day, which makes Miss Ruby’s a very popular stop. Miss Ruby’s is all about choices, which is just what our customers are looking for.
Whitsons created Chef Productions to bring our customers
the very best in delicious home-style cuisine. We named our hot
entrees “Chef Productions” because that’s what
they are--fresh, delicious masterpieces created by skilled chefs.
Our chefs take pride in preparing only the most appetizing, great-tasting
meals that satisfy even the most discerning of palates. Our entrees
are prepared from scratch daily and cooked in small batches, using
only the finest ingredients. Customers can be assured they are receiving
fresh from the oven meals, just like home-cooking! Entrees are displayed
in decorative crockery on elevated pans to create a visually appealing
atmosphere. Offerings include traditional favorites, as well
as a variety of low-fat, vegetarian/vegan and international offerings.
The Coyote Grill was created in response to our consumers'
growing demand for high quality authentic ethnic menu offerings. Consumers
are looking for pizzazz in their daily menu offerings. Coyote Grill
encompasses an array of ethnic foods that follow the chain back
to the cultural and ethnic roots of the cuisine. Some of the recipes
in this module are traditional while others are more contemporary
in their interpretations. Southwest cuisine, with its assertive,
clear flavors and distinctive vivid colors, has its origins in Spanish,
Mexican, Anglo and Native Indian cultures. Over the last fifteen
years, menuing distinction between the regions has blurred; thus,
reinventing traditional foods has become a standard characteristic
of the new Southwest cuisine! Coyote Grill takes Southwestern fare
to a new level with a large variety of traditional menu favorites,
such as tacos, burritos, chimichangas, fajitas, tostados, taco salads,
nachos, etc., as well as a well-rounded selection of eclectic entree
creations such as Roasted Chili Spiced Pork Carnitas with Colombo
Sauce, Artichoke, Roasted Pepper and Jack Cheese Quesadillas and
Vegetable Empanadas. All Coyote Grill entrees are prepared
to order for each customer, using only the freshest, highest quality
ingredients. Accompaniments include fresh salsas, guacamoles, pico
de gallo and fresh nachos and tortillas. There is enough variety
to please any customer’s tastes!
Whitsons combines the intrigue of international cuisine styles
with the appeal of exhibition cooking in our World Market concept.
World Market is an international cook-to-order station, where highly
skilled chefs, trained in the art of stage craft, present exhibition
style cooking in its finest form. Menu selections are inspired
by a variety of cuisine styles from around the world. The attractiveness
of the fresh, artfully arranged ingredients is just the beginning,
as customers see their orders quickly and skillfully prepared before
their eyes. A’ la minute hot and cold preparation techniques,
flaming grills, sizzling woks, and all the sights, sounds and aromas
make every order an event to behold. The lunch meal might
be sautéed, stir fried or on rice. In all cases, each
order will be prepared with flash, panache and exceptional speed. This
module guarantees one stop shopping for complete meals that deliver
great taste and excellent value.
Elmers Famous Foods represents the highest standard in down
home cooking. Our delicious rotisserie chicken features a chicken
with the crispiest of skins. We display our mouth-watering
chicken on authentic rotisserie grilling ovens. Cooked slowly over
carefully managed heat controls, the chicken roasts to perfection
right on the servery line. We change the rotisserie menu each day,
offering appetizing selections like ribs, beef, turkey and pork,
cooked to perfection using a variety of our delicious recipes. Classic
sides are offered as well, including whipped sweet potatoes, roasted
new potatoes and homestyle gravy.
La Cuccina was created in response to consumers’ growing demand
for high quality, authentic Italian menu offerings. Whether enjoying
pizza, calzones, stromboli’s, garlic knots, focaccia or pasta
and sauce entrees, customers seek the flavor profile created in Italian
kitchens many years ago. With La Cuccina, we have created and captured
the traditional pizzeria feeling. We offer a variety of traditional
pizzas each day, as well as an ever-changing eclectic selection of
our specialty gourmet pies. The menu is supplemented by our
selection of fresh authentic pasta dishes, Italian heroes, garlic
knots, strombolis and calzones, made fresh every day.
Sensational Salads features exhibition cooking of both traditional
and eclectic salad creations. A dazzling array of fresh colorful,
gourmet salad ingredients are artfully prepared and presented. It
is a showcase of ingredients where the customer can order the featured
salad of the day, specifically tailored to their likes and dislikes,
and watch as the chef customizes each masterpiece with a’la
minute speed. Sizzling Salads is the perfect way to respond to the
needs of an increasingly diverse customer base by offering a combination
of hearty, low fat and vegetarian/vegan options that appeal to every
type of palate.
Shakey Joe’s is Whitsons’ fresh and natural gourmet juice
bar and smoothie concept. We create our signature juice flavors with
delightful blends of wonderful and exotic fruits and vegetables. We
also serve a delectable selection of shakes, smoothies and fizzes.
These healthy, nutritious and delicious drinks are an excellent snack,
small meal or anytime beverage.
Whitsons created The Veggie Table to introduce tasteful and
nutritious menu choices for vegetarians and vegans, and customers
who are looking for healthy entree alternatives. The Veggie Table
can operate as a stand-alone concept or as menu options at any of
Whitsons’ other Signature Series stations. Vegetarian food
is a cuisine. Daily menus are carefully planned so that side
dishes complement center of the plate offerings. The Veggie Table
features recipes that were created by a world-renowned vegetarian
chef and Whitsons’ Corporate Executive Chef. All vegetables
and seasonings used in recipes must be fresh, not frozen. We understand
the challenges of offering a nutritionally sound, delicious and varied vegetarian
and vegan menu. Non-vegetarians who are looking for an occasional
alternative to meat-based dishes also enjoy our Veggie Table entrees.
Ladle Lovers is the signature series soup program Whitsons
created in response to consumers’ growing demand for upscale
soup offerings. With Ladle Lovers, soup has successfully made the
transformation from an accompaniment to a self contained meal. Ladle
Lovers features hearty, gourmet meat-based and vegetarian soups,
stews and chilis as meal alternatives along with accompaniments
such as fresh fruit, cheeses and crackers. Only fresh ingredients
are used to create our gourmet soups, which are overflowing with
meat and/or vegetables. Soup offerings can be light and healthy,
heavy and filling or someplace in between. Ladle Lovers soups are
created fresh from scratch daily, using only the finest ingredients.
Soups are replenished frequently throughout the day to maintain
the highest quality. The Ladle Lovers concept can be utilized as
an upscale self-serve soup/stew/chili station or as a full-service
entree station with a server who prepares each soup and its accompaniments
to order for each customer.
Whitsons has created Wings n’ Things to meet the consumer’s
demand for value-priced, tasty finger foods. Wings n’ Things
offers a large selection of hot entrees by the ounce, including lasagna
and eggplant rollatini, chicken wings, grilled chicken breast strips,
grilled vegetables and other customer favorites. This concept offers
flexibility for customers who want a little side dish with their lunches,
as well as those who want “a little of everything” as
an enjoyable hot meal. This exciting new component revolutionizes
service by creating a true “build your own entree” station.
At Whitsons’ Fresh From the Garden concept, we view the entire
salad bar as form of edible art. Using our menu items as our palette,
the chef and salad maker truly become artists. Though the combination
of elements vary, our salad bars shout freshness, abundance and extraordinary
taste. Rich in variety, color and texture, our Fresh From the Garden
salad bar provides an abundant selection of traditional salad components,
as well as more exotic choices and pre-tossed specialty salads. In
addition, we feature theme salads on a rotating basis, such as Mexican,
grain bar, fruit lovers, Monterrey and Mediterranean. The combination
of fresh ingredients and fresh thinking makes Fresh From the Garden
an irresistible stop for anyone looking for wholesome goodness without
sacrificing culinary excitement.
Enchanted Ovens is our own house brand of freshly baked desserts
and treats. From hand rolled breads to exotic flavored muffins and
danishes, you will be spellbound by our delectable selection fresh
bakery items. A chocolate lover? Try our Mississippi fudge
cake. Fruit more your style? Taste our apple walnut cake. These
and many other tempting treats are featured daily at Enchanted Ovens.
Moist melting chocolate, crunchy brown sugars and sweet cinnamon
smells blend to produce the aroma of homemade goodness. Our irresistibly
fresh baked concoctions are available for both dieters and indulgers.
Offerings include a large selection of gourmet cakes and pies, fresh
breakfast pastries, bagels and more. We can also provide occasion
cakes for special events and holidays. Enchanted Ovens features
something for everyone, from rich dessert lovers to the health-conscious.
Frait Express is Whitsons’ upscale grab and go concept, featuring
an eclectic selection of lunches to go, fresh sandwiches and salads,
with different offerings each day, as well as several daily favorites.
Frait Express is French for “fresh express.” The
name derives from our commitment to using only the freshest, highest
quality ingredients, delivered to our café each day. We
make our sandwiches and salads in small amounts and replenish them
throughout the day to ensure freshness. We also feature a variety
of Smart Choices healthy grab and go sandwiches and salads, as well
as fresh desserts and specialty bottled beverages. Frait Express is
a great way to offer the convenience of a grab and go station, while
ensuring that the food offered meets the highest quality standards.
Customer demand for Spanish and Latin American cuisine is
on the rise! Fiesta Fresca was developed in response to the growing
requests for authentic and inexpensive Latin-inspired meals. Whitsons
offers our Fiesta Fresca station as a stand alone self-service concept
or as a sub-module of World Market. Not to be confused with the
Mexican specialties of Coyote Grill, Fiesta Fresca explores the
traditional and spicy flavors of Spain and South America, with a
focus on specialty entrees.
With Coyote Quesas, Whitsons has taken the quesadilla craze
to a whole new level. Available as a full station or as a sub-module
of an existing station, Coyote Quesas offers quesadillas full of
flavorful ingredients, freshly prepared on a panini grill and colorfully
displayed on the line in front of the customer. From basic cheese
to more interesting combinations of meats, cheeses and veggies,
Coyote Quesas are a customer favorite.
Whitsons’ Expressly Asian concept serves up an authentic oriental-style
menu from traditional favorites to more exotic "Asian fusion" selections.
As a stand-alone concept or a sub-module of World Market, this station
uses a gourmet line of Chinese and Japanese sauces and dressings to
turn virtually any recipe into an Asian delight. Expressly Asian turns
an ordinary stir-fry into a spicy sesame sensation.
Pizzaladas are actually unleavened breads cooked on a stovetop,
but we’ve translated that idea into delicious salad-sandwiches
that can be assembled from any combination of ingredients. They’re
a delicious way to get your proper quotient of leafy greens and
provide n interesting twist on the typical "salad pizza." This
sub-module is flexible enough to be featured under any concept,
whether pizza, deli or simply entrees, but any way you serve it,
it's sure to be a crowd pleaser.
Fun, flavor and instant customer satisfaction come together
at Shanghai Noodle, our design-your-own soup bar. Our innovative
noodle bar features delicious, exotic noodles and flavored broths
from the Pacific Rim. Customers can select any of the traditional
soups, or create their own recipe from various broths and a bright
array of fresh ingredients. Larger operations usually offer all
of the broths and ingredients everyday, for endless variation on
this delightful theme. In any case, the chef will create their order
on the spot. Great soup cannot get any fresher!
Whitsons, in conjunction with health association and nutrition
professionals, has developed a signature wellness program called
Smart Choices™. Our program is focused on product development,
and includes both adaptations of traditional favorites, as well
as exciting new menu creations. The Smart Choices™ program
provides heart-healthy dining options that address special nutritional
needs, such as low fat, low carbohydrate and high fiber entrees
and desserts. We place an emphasis on tasty and nutritious
foods that provide good value, as well as good health choices.
