Within the world of barbecue, there are many different sub-cultures.

Several cities across the US claim to have the best barbecue, but the truth is each of these places have their own style with a unique flavor profile to offer. In their deli/prepared foods departments, grocery stores are not limited to choosing one signature style as a local restaurant might. They can lean into their local barbecue flavor trends, and they can also provide shoppers with a few different styles to try out by changing up the sauce and seasonings, highlighting which ingredients make each style stand out.

This can lead to more trial, especially if retailers incorporate global barbecue flavors into their menus and switch up the format with meal kits for cuisine fusions like barbecue street tacos. According to Nancy Kruse, “menu maven and trend tracker” of The Kruse Company, international barbecue cuisines are among the top five menu trends in 2024.

Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods Corporation reported in its third quarter of fiscal 2024, ended July 28, that the company made progress in executing several strategic priorities. One of the top priorities listed was to drive focus and growth in Hormel’s retail business. This included its Lloyd’s barbecue line, which Hormel said grew in both volume and dollar sales in the quarter.

The Lloyd’s line includes the following products:

• Seasoned & Smoked St. Louis Style Spareribs in Original BBQ Sauce
• Seasoned & Smoked Baby back Ribs in Original BBQ Sauce
• Seasoned & Shredded Pork in Original BBQ Sauce
• Seasoned & Shredded Beef in Original BBQ Sauce
• Seasoned & Shredded Chicken in Original BBQ Sauce

Key brands like Lloyd’s partially offset the declines the retail category saw from volume and pricing declines for whole bird turkeys and lower sales of Planters snack nuts, Hormel said.

"We delivered solid third-quarter results and another quarter of better-than-expected earnings," said Jim Snee, chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. "Many of our key retail brands are growing, outperforming their categories and, most importantly, resonating with our customers and consumers. Our foodservice business continued to deliver above-industry growth, highlighting the importance of our solutions-based portfolio, direct selling team, and diverse customer and operator base. We again experienced significant recovery in our international segment, led by our global brands. Lastly, we continued to realize growing benefits from our transform and modernize initiative, creating impactful improvements across our supply chain."

Hormel reported a strong quarter of volume and net sales growth in foodservice. Volume was up 2%, and net sales were up 7%. Its premium prepared proteins category was a primary driver of the foodservice growth, Hormel said.

“Premium prepared proteins continue to offer solutions-based options to our operators. Our newest items — Hormel Flash 180 sous vide-style chicken breast and Hormel Fire Braised loin back ribs — both contributed growth this quarter.”

The Flash 180 Battered Sous Vide Chicken is a versatile product that retail prepared foods departments can use in ready-to-eat meal kits with their own barbecue sauces and sides.

“Our homestyle batter allows for complete creative customization with spices, seasonings and sauces,” Hormel said. “Lock in flavor and moisture while keeping things clean and crispy, thanks to our innovative process that cooks the chicken sous vide while in a tasty homestyle batter.”

According to Hormel, the product can go from fryer to plate in about three minutes.

“Cooking from raw takes more time, leaves more room for error and can create big food-safety and cross-contamination issues,” Hormel said. “Save your staff time and stress with speed proteins designed to feel hand-made from the start.”

The new Fire Braised Loin Back Pork Ribs are also customizable. Hormel said they are lightly seasoned so a signature barbecue sauce can be added.

“Fully cooked, Loin Back Pork Ribs that are seared to caramelize the exterior and develop flavor,” Hormel said. “It is then slow-cooked in its own natural juices until it is tender, moist and delicious.”

Another new product that Hormel said drove growth in the retail category in the third quarter was its new SPAM Korean BBQ Flavored.

“Pulling in familiar flavors from Korean-cuisine. SPAM Korean BBQ Flavored is a perfect blend of soy sauce, garlic, ginger, paprika and sesame with a hint of spice from gochujang paste,” Hormel said.

The new flavor is in line with current global cuisine fusion trends identified by The Kruse Company.

“SPAM Korean BBQ Flavored is a nod to the relationship the SPAM brand has to Korean food culture and the ongoing celebration of global tastes," said Jennesa Kinscher, senior brand manager for the SPAM brand. "This new variety not only satisfies the comfort and nostalgia our current fans crave, but it also attracts new fans who are eager to try the sweet and zesty flavors that the Korean BBQ dish and experience offers."

Hormel is also on top of the international barbecue trend with its suggested use for the Fire Braised Loin Back Pork Ribs, which include a Barbacoa Burrito Bowl and Pork Al Pastor Street Tacos. These menu ideas and more can be found at HormelFoodservice.com.

Snee said the Hormel team is focused on continuing progress with the company’s strategic priorities through the end of the year. The team expects to see continued momentum across key retail brands such as Lloyd’s and growth within foodservice.