Americans’ consumption of bread when dining out or getting takeout is on the rise, according to a nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll and commissioned by General Mills Foodservice. In fact, two-thirds of Americans (67%) report eating more bread than they normally would when dining out or ordering takeout in the past year and three in five Americans (60%) say they would rather indulge in a good bread item than dessert when dining out.

General Mills Foodservice together with Pillsbury, its premier baking brand for foodservice professionals, breaks down the results of the recent poll and shares tips for foodservice operations to build out their bread basket and expand their menu with low-labor, scratch-like bread offerings. The nationwide poll surveyed more than 2,000 adults ages 18 and over to learn how they are consuming bread when dining out or ordering takeout.

“Bread and the associated carbs used to get a bad rap, but we are really seeing consumers come back to bread,” said Chef Curt Wagner, part of the Chefs of the Mills team with more than 30 years of baking experience. “From home bakers attempting to make sourdough and banana bread to diners seeking out the bread items they love but don’t have the time or skills to make on their own, it appears we are all craving and eating more bread. I expect to see a resurgence of indulgent and creative bread menu items in the year ahead.”

Results from the poll show that consumers who are eating more bread when dining out or ordering takeout during the past year are doing so because it is offered as a complimentary “starter” (52%), it’s comforting (45%), to fulfill a craving (36%), to indulge (29%) or reward themselves (25%).

Favorite bread items when dining out or ordering takeout include garlic bread (61%), rolls (47%), French bread (35%), biscuits (34%) and croissants (31%).