Rhode Island-based Calise Bakery is expanding its better-for-you portfolio with two new SKUs — Higher Fiber Soft Kaiser Rolls and Higher Fiber Soft Sub Rolls — designed to give foodservice operators and retailers a nutritionally upgraded bread option that fits existing menu builds without disrupting the customer experience.
The Product Numbers
The Higher Fiber Soft Kaiser Roll delivers 9g of fiber and 9g of protein at 120 calories per serving, while the Higher Fiber Soft Sub Roll steps up to 10g of fiber and 10g of protein at 140 calories. Both varieties carry lower net carbs compared to conventional rolls and contain no artificial colors or flavors. The entire lineup is also free of nuts, dairy, eggs, sesame seeds, trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, artificial preservatives, and hydrogenated oils — a clean-label profile that aligns with procurement preferences increasingly common across better-for-you foodservice programs.
"Eating better shouldn't have to mean giving up the foods you enjoy," said Michael Calise, President of Calise Bakery. "We wanted to take something as familiar and versatile as a great roll and give consumers more of what they're looking for today, including more fiber and protein, while staying true to the taste and texture that have defined Calise for generations."
Operator Relevance
For restaurant and foodservice operators, the appeal is straightforward: a drop-in swap on existing sandwich, burger, and sub builds that can support a healthier menu claim without a recipe overhaul. The Kaiser format suits breakfast sandwich and burger applications, while the Sub Roll is positioned for deli, Italian, and grilled sandwich programs. That versatility matters in a market where operators are under pressure to offer better-for-you options without proliferating SKUs or complicating back-of-house logistics.
The launch also reflects a broader shift in the baked goods category. Suppliers across the bread and roll segment are responding to growing consumer demand for functional nutrition — particularly fiber and protein — embedded in familiar formats rather than positioned as specialty health products. Calise's approach, threading a nutrition upgrade through a 118-year-old product line, mirrors strategies seen across packaged bakery and foodservice bread innovation.
Distribution and Background
Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Lincoln, Rhode Island, Calise Bakery operates a portfolio of more than 140 varieties of baked, par-baked, and frozen breads, pockets, and wraps. The company built its reputation as a specialty baker across New England and has since expanded distribution nationally. The Higher Fiber Soft Kaiser and Sub Rolls will be available at select retailers nationwide; foodservice buyers should contact the company directly through CaliseBakery.com for distribution inquiries.
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
