The Inspire Brands Flavor Forward: ProStart® Innovation Challenge is an exercise designed to supplement the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts (FRMCA) curriculum with a dynamic case study that invites culinary and restaurant management students to step into the shoes of a real-world product development team. In partnership with Inspire Brands, students will take on the exciting challenge of creating a new menu item for either Buffalo Wild Wings or Dunkin’. From concept ideation to marketing strategy, this experience empowers students to blend creativity with business acumen—mirroring the fast-paced innovation process behind some of America’s most iconic food and beverage brands.
Empowering Students Through Real-World Innovation
The Inspire Brands Flavor Forward: ProStart Innovation Challenge offers educators a powerful tool to bring classroom learning to life. Designed to align with the Foundations of Restaurant Management and Culinary Arts curriculum, this case study engages students in developing a new product for either Buffalo Wild Wings or Dunkin’, guiding them through the full cycle of ideation, costing, and marketing.
Specifically, this challenge supports learning objectives from the FRMCA curriculum allowing students to apply key concepts such as target market analysis, promotional strategy, recipe costing, and profitability. By simulating a commercial product development process, educators can reinforce essential career skills while fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking in a real-world context.
Inspire Brands Background and Culture
Purpose: Ignite and nourish flavorful experiences
Vision: Invigorate great brands and supercharge their long-term growth
Stats:
- Founded in 2018
- 2nd largest US restaurant company
- 33,000+ restaurants
- Brand Portfolio: Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC
- 650,000 company and franchise team members
Core Behaviors:
- Mavericks: Doing what has never been done before
- Allies: Collaborating to win
- Visionaries: Having foresight and imagination
- Achievers: Getting it done, and having fun doing it
- Good Citizens: Elevating each other and the communities we serve
Brand Promise: Buffalo Wild Wings turns game-time into stories worth telling.
Brand Purpose: Inspire legendary experiences between friends.
Stats:
- 1,300 Restaurants
- Leading Sports Bar brand in the US
Values:
- Hustle: Take ownership in providing a winning guest experience. Anticipate and embrace change with zeal.
- Sportsmanship: Celebrate differences, be fair and act like a team player in all situations.
- Spontaneity: Be authentic while cheering on and adapting to the arrival of the unknown.
- Community: Create unique, positive guest experiences while fostering strong community connections.
- Fun: Enjoy the moment, create and engaging, entertaining environment.
Brand Purpose: Energize us all to power forward
Brand Promise: Dunkin’ get America ready to get it done.
Stats:
- 13,200 Restaurants
- Largest coffee and donuts brand in the United States
Values:
- Daily Delight: We deliver America’s craveable daily ritual.
- Trusted Wingman: We fuel America’s ambitions. We are the dependable boost to take on whatever lies ahead.
- Always Fun: We make every encounter upbeat, playful and real. We’re serious about our beverages and food, but don’t take ourselves too seriously.
- Community Minded: We take pride in our rich heritage that has made us a beloved part of people’s lives. Our connections in the communities we serve run deep.
- Forever Running: We move at the speed of life, always challenging ourselves to do more and to do it better. Like America, we aim high.
Additional Resources
Virtual Case Competition
From the Classroom to the National Stage
Take the Inspire Flavor Forward: ProStart Innovation Challenge from the classroom to the national spotlight in the Inspire Flavor Forward Virtual Case Competition. This is your opportunity to showcase culinary creativity and business strategy by developing a product innovation for either Buffalo Wild Wings or Dunkin’.
Form a team, craft your concept, and pitch your idea directly to Inspire Brand leaders—competing virtually against top ProStart teams from across the country.
What’s the Challenge?
Students will choose one of the following innovation paths:
- Buffalo Wild Wings Appetizer Slider: Create a craveable, shareable slider that satisfies sandwich lovers and complements entrée orders.
- Buffalo Wild Wings Signature Sauce: Invent a bold, unexpected sauce that works on both traditional and boneless wings.
- Dunkin’ Signature Seasonal Drink: Create a limited-time drink with bold flavors and social-media- worthy look.
- Dunkin’ Everyday Hero Drink: Design a drink that can stay on the menu year-round and attract new daily customers
Final Deliverables
Each team will submit the following:
- Product name and description
- Ingredients or flavor profile
- Pricing and food cost estimate
- Marketing plan or promotional sample
- 3 to 5 sentence pitch on why this item belongs on the menu
Judging Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of industry professionals based on the following:
- Strategic Fit
- Does the product align with the brand (bold, social, fun, craveable)?
- Does it meet a real business need (attracting new guests, driving add-ons, trade-ups, etc.)?
- Is it designed for a clear guest or occasion?
- Product Creativity and Appeal
- Is the slider or sauce idea unique and exciting?
- Would it stand out from other menu items or competitors?
- Does it feel craveable, shareable, or curiosity-sparking?
- Operational Feasibility
- Can the item realistically be made in a commercial kitchen?
- Are the ingredients practical and the prep simple?
- Will it work well for both dine-in and takeout?
- Pricing and Profitability
- Is the pricing within target food cost range?
- Does the menu price feel appropriate and competitive?
- Is there a clear rationale behind the cost and price?
- Marketing & Promotion
- Is there a compelling name and message?
- Is the marketing plan well thought out for the target audience?
- Does the promotion strategy feel modern and appropriate (social, in-store, etc.)?
- Clarity and Presentation
- Was the idea clearly explained and easy to understand?
- Was the pitch organized, confident, and persuasive?
- Were visuals (if used) helpful and relevant?