The sweet-heat sensation of Mike’s Hot Honey is creating a buzz in the breakfast world.
From quick-service chains to trendy brunch spots, this spicy-sweet condiment is becoming a staple on morning menus across the nation. As consumers increasingly crave bold and innovative flavors, Mike’s Hot Honey is leading the “swicy” (sweet and spicy) trend that’s redefining how we enjoy breakfast.
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A Flavor That Excites Taste Buds All Day Long
Mike’s Hot Honey, the original and leading brand of hot honey, is no longer just a pizza topping or a snack-time drizzle. The unique combination of honey and chili peppers has infiltrated breakfast menus, adding a kick to morning favorites like bacon, waffles, and sandwiches.
The brand’s rise in popularity reflects a broader culinary trend toward more adventurous flavor profiles that offer a blend of sweetness and heat. This shift is evident in recent collaborations with major restaurant chains and breakfast-focused brands.
Dunkin’ Delivers Swicy Breakfast Treats
Dunkin’ Donuts, a breakfast staple for many Americans, has embraced the hot honey trend by introducing three new menu items featuring Mike’s Hot Honey. These include the Hot Honey Bacon Sandwich, Hot Honey Bacon Wake-Up Wrap, and Hot Honey Snackin’ Bacon.
Each item combines classic breakfast ingredients—like eggs, bacon, and cheese—with a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey, creating a delightful balance of savory, sweet, and spicy flavors. These offerings are part of Dunkin’s summer 2024 menu, showcasing how versatile and appealing hot honey can be in the breakfast space.
First Watch Brings Back a Fan Favorite
First Watch, known for its chef-driven breakfast dishes, has reintroduced its popular Million Dollar Breakfast Sandwich featuring Mike’s Hot Honey (pictured at top).
This sandwich, which debuted in 2019, includes Million Dollar Bacon, pork sausage, a cage-free egg, smoked Gouda, and fresh arugula, all elevated with a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey. This combination of premium ingredients and the sweet-spicy kick has made it a returning customer favorite.
First Watch’s Senior Vice President of Culinary Strategy, Shane Schaibly, noted the long-standing partnership with Mike’s Hot Honey, highlighting that the condiment has become a key ingredient in several of the restaurant’s dishes. “It’s a spicy-sweet partnership that continues to excite our customers,” Schaibly said.
Roy Rogers and the Classic Chicken and Waffles
The iconic Roy Rogers chain has also jumped on the swicy bandwagon, introducing a limited-time Chicken and Waffles dish featuring Mike’s Hot Honey. The dish pairs crispy fried chicken with fluffy waffles, topped with powdered sugar and a generous drizzle of hot honey.
According to Roy Rogers Co-President Jim Plamondon, the addition of Mike’s Hot Honey takes the classic dish to the next level by offering a unique balance of sweet and savory flavors.
Mike Kurtz, the founder of Mike’s Hot Honey, shared his enthusiasm for partnering with Roy Rogers, noting that it’s a nostalgic brand for him personally. “Growing up, I visited Roy Rogers on family road trips. It’s exciting to now see our hot honey featured on their menu.”
Midwestern-based Thornton’s also showed that convenience stores are getting into the hot honey breakfast trend. The 200-store chain recently introducing a Hot Honey Chicken & Waffle Breakfast Sandwich as part of a limited-time menu option.
A Growing Trend with Staying Power for Breakfast and Beyond
The rise of Mike’s Hot Honey is part of a larger trend in the food industry toward bold, unexpected flavors. According to industry reports, over 80% of consumers now enjoy spicy foods, and hot honey is leading the charge in meeting this demand.
Mike’s Hot Honey, with its perfect balance of sweetness and heat, has become synonymous with the trend, appearing on an increasing number of restaurant menus across the country.
Kurtz attributes the brand’s success to the versatility of hot honey. “Honey is already such a versatile sweetener, and when you add the heat, the possibilities become endless. The fact that it is becoming so popular on breakfast menus is a testament to the many ways it can be used.” he explained.
As breakfast menus continue to evolve, the popularity of swicy flavors shows no signs of slowing down. The success of Mike’s Hot Honey reflects how consumers are increasingly looking for exciting and unconventional flavors in their everyday meals.
From breakfast sandwiches to chicken and waffles, Mike’s Hot Honey is becoming a go-to ingredient for chefs seeking to add a new dimension to classic dishes.
Supporting Restaurants with Flavor and Strategy
Beyond its delicious product, Mike’s Hot Honey also offers extensive support to restaurant partners. The company provides marketing materials, such as signage, bottle displays, and dip cup holders, to help businesses promote their hot honey-infused dishes.
Additionally, the brand’s commitment to creative partnerships ensures that restaurants can effectively engage their customers and stand out in a competitive market.
As swicy flavors continue to captivate taste buds across the nation, it’s clear that Mike’s Hot Honey is here to stay. Whether drizzled on bacon or paired with waffles, this sweet heat is turning breakfast into an exciting culinary adventure.
The next time you’re out for breakfast, don’t be surprised if Mike’s Hot Honey is on the menu—it’s what’s for breakfast.
Mike’s Hot Honey is available through foodservice distributors nationwide. For more information visit Mike’s Hot Honey’s website.
