Surging demand for curbside pickup at restaurants and supermarkets has created a new normal — and new challenges — for foodservice operators. Takeout menus can no longer reflect an eatery’s entire menu. Instead, they must feature the dishes that can transport easily to preserve food quality, texture, and flavor.

There are many best practices to ensure curbside pickup success for restaurants and supermarkets.

Some of those keystones include quality to-go packaging, clear pickup signage, and food quality upon transport. Other factors for successful take-out dishes are those that can be assembled quickly and easily by kitchen staff and with economic ingredients.

Meeting the high expectation of the “pick-up patron” will help your eatery establish customer loyalty at a time it’s most needed.

Here are four menu items that research proves are ideal for curbside orders for both restaurants and grocery stores.

Pizza
Whether served by the slice, family-style, or as a make-at-home meal kit, pizza is a universal crowd-pleaser. It transports well in a box and can be easily reheated for leftovers without sacrificing flavor or texture. Take-and-bake pizza is a great way to ensure maximum freshness and enjoy a home-cooked meal without the hassle of preparing it.

Fried chicken
You may not expect it, but fried chicken is an ideal curbside pick-up menu item. Fried chicken is juicy, crispy, and flavorful and is durable during transport. It can also be easily reheated in the oven to lightly re-crisp. Many grocery stores are known for their prepared fried chicken. Now is the time to promote a chicken and side combo. Your customers will thank you!

Deli sandwiches
Deli sandwiches have always been a favorite for take-out lunch and dinner. Why? Because they are compact. Hearty bread protects a juicy middle with relatively low-fuss packaging. Prepare a signature brisket, pastrami sandwich, or Italian melt to appeal to your on-the-go customer. To give your fresh deli counter a break, stock your to-go cooler with pre-prepped sub sandwiches.

Grilled meat and veggies
These menu classics are just that for a reason. Grilled meat retains its flavor and texture in a to-go box and is versatile. Add grilled steak with veggie sides to your menu, or grilled chicken kabobs with dipping sauce. Grocery stores can follow-suit with a raw kabob kit ready to grill at home or to be roasted in an oven.