According to Wikipedia, Bacon Jam is “...a bacon-based relish, similar to the Austrian starter Verhackert. It is made through a process of slow cooking the bacon, along with onions, vinegar, brown sugar and spices, before mixing in a food processor.”

So it’s like relish. But it’s jam. Bacon-based jam, at that. So, what exactly are we using this for again?

Well, let us tell you: You can use bacon jam for just about anything. Throw it on your burgers, your dawgs, your sandwiches - whatever you like.

In terms of culinary life, tater tots are still very young. Making their debut in cafeteria trays in American schools just under 70 years ago, the dish is simple - it’s potatoes. Or, maybe you prefer to call tater tots the UN-fries of American cuisine. Regardless of what you call them, or how you feel about them, they’re making a move into the spotlight lately - especially in burger joints where they are fast-approaching the simple french fry as the potato dish of choice to accompany burgers.

In the U.S., at least one state is taking on salt - using the legislative process to curb excessive use of the mineral in an effort to encourage (or force, depending on how you look at it) healthier eating.

In case you didn't know - many Americans (it’s a global thing, really) are consuming too much salt. In fact, 90 percent of Americans are exceeding their recommended max of one teaspoon of sodium per day according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. And while that's a startling number, the good news is that 60 percent of Americans are doing something about it - trying to cut back on salt, or eliminate it completely from their diets.

Now, when those 60 percent go out to eat – “cutting back” becomes a different story. They aren't as concerned about sodium as they are at home - and that's causing many U.S. restaurant brands to be a little tardy when it comes to decreasing the amount off sodium in their menu items.

How bad do you want a veggie burger? Just ask the over 20,000 people in the United States who have signed a change.org petition demanding (not even requesting) that In-N-Out add a vegetarian burger option to its menu.

Sounds simple, right? Give customers what they want and they’ll be happy. But the truth is, you can’t please everybody and sometimes you shouldn’t even try. This is the case with In-N-Out. You see, the chain’s menu is famous for its bare-bones approach: Burgers, cheeseburgers, fries and shakes. If you’re thirsty, go ahead and order a soda.

In case you didn't know, competition is stiff out there and it's not getting any easier for newly-minted quick-serve restaurants to get noticed. But, as each year passes, we see more and more brands plant their flags and try to lure customers from the hundreds of restaurant brands that have already been established in a particular market.

On top of this, customers aren't getting any less demanding. In fact, customers are becoming more demanding than ever. The old way of marketing and branding won't cut it with today's cynical and savvy customers who want something totally unique, innovative and focused on them. Oh, and it has to be good, affordable and served fast.