According to Datassential, elevated sandwich options can command higher pricing with 52 percent of operators saying their sandwich sales have increased over the past year. Nearly 60 percent of operators say ready-to-serve is important when selecting sandwich ingredients.

With that in mind, General Mills Foodservice has introduced Pillsbury Croissant Buns, pre-baked and pre-sliced for minimal back-of-house preparation. The new product makes it easier for foodservice operations to serve elevated sandwiches.

The thaw-and-serve carrier croissants, coming in a durable round shape, offer operations the flexibility to serve one or 1,000 with easy portioning to reduce waste. The buns feature a sweet, dairy flavor with buttery notes and a flaky, tender texture.

The Pillsbury Croissant Buns are the latest in Pillsbury’s expansive line of croissants, including thaw-and-serve and freezer-to-oven, to give culinary professionals a range of versatile, low- labor options to serve quality croissants. For inspiration, operators can download a free recipe collection called “Craveable Croissant Creations” with a dozen easy sandwich ideas to elevate menus across dayparts. Additional recipes, including several that feature the new croissant bun can be found online.

“We know operators are looking for ways to up their sandwich game, and even though croissants are a popular sandwich carrier, the skilled labor that’s often necessary to make them can be a challenge,” says Chef Kevin Relf, a member of the Chefs of the Mills. “The Pillsbury Croissant Buns come ready-to-serve and provide a low-labor foundation to build from and customize for a range of elevated sandwich opportunities.”