How Do I Make My Foodservice Stand Out? (CStoreDecisions)

Written by Marilyn Odesser-Torpey for CStoreDecisions.com

In her article for CStoreDecisions.com, Odesser-Torpey provides a number of insights for independent convenience retailers to keep in mind when offering foodservice to their customers, and how best to make sure customers are aware of those offerings. Key tactics include: Signage at the pump, a menu available on your website, and signature items.

She also highlights a opportunity that c-store operators have for foodservice over more traditional or quick service restaurants (QSRs):

Bundle foodservice items with other popular products throughout the stores such as chips, soda or cookies. Place signage in those areas promoting the bundles to emphasize your fresh food offerings.

Read more about how to make your foodservice stand out at CStoreDecisions.com

How Can C-Stores Better Market Their Roller Grill Offers (C Store Decisions)

Written by Isabelle Gustafson for cstoredecisions.com

…like all offers, (the roller gril) can easily become stale if it’s not regularly updated and given proper consideration.

In addition to reminder retailers that a roller grill must be kept spotless to ensure customer satisfaction (particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic), Gustafson also points out that it’s imperative that a c-store have “a solid offer – whatever that means for your store.” Different locations will need to meet different customer expectations and tastes, but variety is vital.

It’s also incredibly important to remember to communicate to your (potential) customers. Outdoor signage is just as important as indoor signage and messaging on the grill: You need to be able to lure customers in to he store who might otherwise just pay at the pump for their gas and leave.

Having an online presence is also a key component to driving customer traffic; just make sure everything online looks as appetizing as possible.

Read the entire article at cstoredecisions.com.

To Lure Back Patrons, Go Big or Go Home (CSP Daily News)

Written by Chuck Ulie for cspdailynews.com

In addition to continued sanitation efforts to keeps stores clean and customers at ease in their stores, convenience stores should be thinking big and bold, Ulie says. Additionally,

(Ramp) up robust flavors to entice customers, spur word-of-mouth hype and increase purchases.

Read the entire article at cspdailynews.com

Nashville Hot Chicken RollerBites (CStore Decisions)

Written by Isabelle Gustafson for cstoredecisions.com

Image Credit: Home Market Foods

Some flavors are just too hot to keep away for long. Nashville Hot Chicken RollerBites are back — to bring some serious heat to your grill or hot case, satisfying your customers’ spicy cravings.

Home Market Foods has brought back the Nashville Hot Chicken RollerBites for the roller grill.

Marketing Meaty Meals (C-Store Decisions)

Posted by Marilyn Odesser-Torpey to cstoredecisions.com

"…the mouthwatering smell of frying chicken wafting through the store and even out to the forecourt is usually the first experience customers have with your foodservice offering, explained Dr. Nancy Caldarola, general manager of the Food Training Group, a hospitality industry consulting firm based in Roswell, Ga.
“'Chicken is one of the most attractive hand-held foods for people,' Caldarola said. 'It is also the ultimate all-American comfort food.'"

Read more at C-Store Decisions.

3 Ways to Ignite Roller-Grill Sales (CSPDailyNews.com)

[Posted to CSP Daily News]

If you're already a roller grill operator, you know just how important it is to make sure that the roller grill and surrounding area is kept clean and properly lit–two of the smaller tips pointed out in this article–but this post also provides reassurance on other things that you might be overlooking, that'll be sure to draw in the customers. 

… consumers—especially younger ones—are receptive to new offerings. In fact, about 45% of millennials say they’re willing to try an item or condiment featuring a new or interesting flavor at a c-store prepared-foods area, according to Technomic data.
Load up the roller grill with unexpected items such as egg rolls, tamales, chicken-filled waffle rolls, taquitos and more. 

Roller-grill items are well-suited to DIY condiments, dips and sauces. An impressive 65% of c-store foodservice consumers say they are more likely to purchase prepared foods at c-stores that offer made-to-order food when they can fully customize the items.

More than half of consumers (53%) say they’d visit c-stores for prepared foods if healthier items were available. … Many consumers perceive fresh foods, as well as those made with “clean” and “natural” ingredients, to be healthy as well. 

Read more at CSPDailyNews.com

Diversifying the Foodservice Offering

[Posted to cstoredecisions.com by Howard Riell]

Taking steps to promote innovative products and value pricing can elevate the whole roller grill experience to drive new sales. 

Convenience store operators looking to spice up their roller grill offerings have more tools at their disposal than ever before, including the weather, as autumn spurs consumers to seek hot, savory snacks and foods on the run.

In addition, a host of other steps that convenience stores can take, from savvy promotions to developing proprietary items, can help sales climb still higher any time of the year.

Read more at cstoredecisions.com.

Healthy Fare Drives Roller Grill Flair

[Posted to cstoredecisions.com by Howard Riell]

 

To keep up with the ever-changing tastes of a wide-variety of palates the roller grill is becoming more important than ever for driving sales.

When it comes to foodservice, convenience store operators often find themselves wedged unfairly between a rock and a hard place. Consumers want to indulge in food items, but they also want it healthy, affordable and quick. The margin for error is
virtually nil.

This is as true on the roller grill as in any other part of a retailer’s food offering.

Read more at cstoredecisions.com.