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

Listen to Customers, Make LTO Permanent (CSP Daily News)

Written by Chuck Ulie for CSPDailyNews.com

In this article, Ulie discusses the importance of listening to customer feedback, as exemplified by the choice of Dunkin’ to heed the call from customers to make their annual limited time offer coffee flavor Butter Pecan Swirl a regular offering:

Requests from customers and employees to make the flavor a regular offering were “staggering,” Dunkin’ said. “We’re thrilled to finally grant their wish.”

So take note: If your customers love an LTO item that you’re offering on your roller grill, consider making it a permanent addition to your grill’s planogram.

Read the entire article at CSPDailyNews.com.

Bundling, Variety Could Buoy Roller Grill Sales in 2022 (C Store Decisions)

Written by Marilyn Odesser-Torpey for cstoredecisions.com

“I think they have a bit of an uphill battle relative to other c-store foodservice offerings because consumers are increasingly looking for c-store food offerings that are prepared on-site and customizable such as pizza, tacos or burritos,” (Ann) Golladay (associate director on the content team at Datassential) said. “Roller grill items have often been an impulse and value play.”

Odesser-Torpey writes that early 2021 saw a 41% increase over 2020’s for roller grills, as reported by C-store operators. In order to continue driving sales, retailers should consider new bundle deals for the roller grill that include drinks, sides, or even desserts. There are “opportunities to differentiate (yourself) from other stores in the community withy fun promotions and bundles … for a value price.”

Read the entire article at cstoredecisions.com

How Can C-Stores Enable Roller Grill Customization? (C Store Decisions)

Written by Isabelle Gustafson for cstoredecisions.com

Datassentials reports that 66% of c-store consumers are looking for customizations and that’s what motivates them to choose a c-store rather than another foodservice location. Making customization easier for consumers is a great way to help pull them in to your location. You can accomplish this by offering wider variety of sauces, such as different mayo-based items like garlic aioli, different barbecue sauces, a plethora of hot sauces. But also, more traditional condiments, but make them fresh-cut every day!

But don’t forget to consider dietary restrictions:

A recent survey from market research platform Suzy shows that 51% of American households are impacted by food allergies or sensitivities. These results suggest that the number of those impacted by food allergies or sensitives is even higher than recent studies have indicated.

Read the entire article at cstoredecisions.com

Johnsonville Adds 3 Sweet Barbeque Flavors (CSP Daily News)

Image credit: Johnsonville

Written by Steve Holtz for cspdailynews.com

Johnsonville is bringing three new sausage flavors to convenience stores: Ultimate Queso, Southern Style BBQ and Smoked Honey BBQ.

All three new sausages bring premium ingredients and quality to the convenience-store experience, according to the Sheboygan Falls, Wis.-based company.

Read the entire article at cspdailynews.com

NACS Research Examines Last-Mile Fulfillment (CSP Daily News)

Image Credit: CSP Daily News/Shutterstock

Written by Jackson Lewis for cpsdailynews.com

In this article, Lewis reviews the information found in a NACS report regarding the increased use of last-mile fulfillment and the ways that these findings can be implemented for convenience retail to help maintain sales numbers while Americans continue to live with social distancing, mask wearing, and other measures to help curb the spread of COVID-19.

“Our findings show convenience retailers are employing a wide range of last-mile fulfillment options with some being more popular than others,” said Lori Stillman, vice president of research at NACS. “We also found that one third-party provider is being leveraged more so than others, while many locations are using their own staff for delivery.”

Read the entire article at cspdailynews.com

On a Roll: Envisioning Roller Grills After COVID-19 (CSP Daily News)

Written by Brett Dworski for cspdailynews.com

… consumer demand for safety has surged amid the pandemic, raising the question of how similar—or different—roller grills will operate in the coming months and years compared to pre-pandemic times.

This article discusses how retailers have been health department guidelines during the pandemic and how they plan to move forward as lockdowns end and economies resume–and what that means for self-service foodservice programs such as roller grills at convenience stores.

7-Eleven Offers Discount on National Hot Dog Day (CStore Decisions)

Image : CStore Decisions/7-Eleven

By Isabelle Gustafson for cstoredecisions.com

This article provides some background on National Hot Dog, which was started in 1991, as well as discussing the discounts that 7-Eleven offered this year.

National Hot Dog Day dates back to 1991 when the National Hot Dog Day and Sausage Council established the event to coincide with a hot dog lunch on Capitol Hill that occurs every year on a Wednesday in July.