Ranch Dressing Sales Hit $1.3 Billion, Beats Ketchup as America’s Favorite Condiment
In a big surprise, ranch dressing pulled in $1.3 billion last year, pushing ketchup aside as the most popular condiment in American restaurants.
This change shows how American eating habits have shifted, with restaurants now putting the creamy sauce on pretty much everything. “We’ve most certainly seen an uptick in ranch over the past four years, particularly over the past 12 months… Customers can now get ranch on everything from salads to pizza to all types of sandwiches and appetizers,” Chris Juricich told Modern Restaurant Management.
Back in the 1950s, Steve Henson – who went from plumber to cook – made the first batch. His recipe caught Clorox’s eye, who bought it in 1983 and began selling dry mix packets in stores.
The sauce really took off after Cool Ranch Doritos came out in 1986. Then Domino’s really got things going in 1994, promoting ranch as the perfect dip for pizza crusts and wings.
People in the Midwest just love the stuff. Missouri, Michigan, and Illinois use it more than anywhere else. What began as a simple salad dressing is now used on basically everything.
Chefs keep coming up with crazy new versions. Green chile ranch? Yep. Truffle ranch? They’ve got that too. Jimmy John’s even made “Kickin’ Ranch” – it’s so popular that people dip their soup in it.
Restaurant menus now show off the sauce. “Fries and Ranch” and “Knots & Ranch” are common items at places everywhere.
Hidden Valley Ranch – which Clorox bought in 1972 – is still the biggest brand in stores and restaurants nationwide.