Speed-Scratch Solutions: The Secret to Surviving the Holiday Rush

Rising Costs and Labor Pressures Put Operators to the Test On Christmas Eve of 2024, visits to upscale and fine-dining venues jumped 54% compared to year-to-date averages, and breakfast spots surged more than 53% on Christmas Day. Even the day after, on December 26th, restaurants across all categories saw visits climb 26% above average. Operators know the drill—the holidays mean high volume and even higher expectations. Layer in labor costs, and the challenges pile up like mountains of wrapping paper. Almost three-quarters of operators reported higher labor expenses in 2024, with 66% expecting further increases in 2025.1 As a result, some operators are having to cut back on staff or their hours. Why Speed-Scratch Ingredients are a Miracle for Back-of-House Efficiency and Profitability Now, despite all those challenges, imagine your team breezing through the holiday rush without sacrificing creativity or guest satisfaction. That’s the magic of speed-scratch ingredients. Over half (58%) of operators believe that using these products lets them focus on flavor instead of time-consuming, repetitive prep. Think of speed-scratch products as little elves in your kitchen that are reducing prep times, minimizing waste, simplifying processes, and giving your staff room to concentrate on plating, presentation, and hospitality. The result? Memorable meals for guests, smoother operations, and better profitably. It’s basically a holiday miracle. Speed-Scratch Potatoes and Eggs: Your Holiday MVPs Potatoes and eggs are menu all-stars across menus and dayparts but prepping them can eat up hours. Speed-scratch egg products and prepped potatoes save time and reduce waste. Let’s break it down: For example, cracking 30 dozen eggs takes about 20 minutes, but pouring liquid eggs? Just one minute. Plus, you lose 20% of the weight of a shell egg when you throw out the shell and some valuable egg residue. The same goes for potatoes—peeling and prepping whole potatoes means 20% waste and extra labor. Take a cue from Scrooge and find out how much you could save with our refrigerated potato and liquid egg calculators. These savings add up fast during the holiday rush. And with versatile products like liquid eggs and refrigerated mashed potatoes, operators can maintain quality while serving creative, festive dishes like: Where Do I Start with Speed-Scratch Solutions? Start by pinpointing your prep bottlenecks—those tasks that eat up time and energy. Test a couple of speed-scratch products and compare the savings. Finally, get your staff up to “speed,” so to speak, to adapt recipes so the final dishes still have that fresh-made appeal. Using speed-scratch products isn’t a shortcut; it’s a smart strategy that combines quality, efficiency, and adaptability in ways that help you thrive during your busiest season. With the right products, you can make the holidays as smooth as a sleigh ride, more profitable, and most importantly, more enjoyable for your guests. Sources: 1Pulse, Industry Overview, Datassential, 2025