c-store

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

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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

Is a Roller Grill Right for Your C-Store? (C Store Decisions)

Written by Isabelle Gustafson for cstoredecisions.com

Gustafson points out that as more and more convenience stores are choosing foodservice options that are closer to quick-serve restaurants, consumers may no longer be reaching for the roller grill: “As with all c-store segments, operators must ask themselves whether the roller grill is the best fit at their locations.”

What makes a roller grill right for your c-store? Gustafon suggests several key reasons why it might:

  • Roller grills are great space savers, particularly for stores with smaller footprints or other space limiting needs

  • The self-serve aspect is essential for stores with a smaller labor force

  • And they’re grab-and-go, which makes it perfect for locations where customers are in a hurry and need something that’s ready when they are

Read the entire article at cstoredecisions.com

Johnsonville Debuts New Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage (CStore Decisions)

Image courtesy Johnsonville.

Image courtesy Johnsonville.

Posted by Isabelle Gustafson to CStoreDecisions.com

CStore Decisions is reporting that Johnsonville has a new flavor available for the roller grill, their Ultimate Jalapeño Cheddar Sausage.

All products in the Ultimate Sausage line can be prepared with multiple cooking methods, such as the roller grill, microwave, flat top griddle, gas grill, steamer and convection oven.

Read more at CStoreDecisions.com

Pizza, Roller Grill Satisfy Profits (CStoreDecisions.com)

Posted to Convenience Store Decisions by Marilyn Odesser-Torpey

While more restaurant-like foods might help diversify a convenience store's portfolio of offerings and help draw customers in, the roller grill still continues to be a key fixture!

"Despite the rise and popularity of made-to-order hot and cold sandwiches on c-store menus, hot dogs, corn dogs, taquitos and other roller grill items are still carried by 71% of convenience stores and are among the top five sellers in the overall foodservice category, said Tim Powell, vice president and senior analyst at Q1 Consulting LLC, a Chicago-based business research, strategy, planning and management firm."

Rotating Menus in C-Stores (CStoreProductsOnline.com)

Changing up food offerings could lure in more fickle millennials

[Posted to Convenience Store Products by Maggie Hennessy]

The fact that c-stores own grab-and-go among various consumers and occasions works hugely in their favor as foodservice technology looks to hit that sweet spot of speed and quality. And certainly, some c-stores don’t have the available footprint to host a group like Fooda. But awareness of the changing foodservice landscape is an advantage in itself.

Keep reading at CStoreProductsOnline.com

Competing with QSRs (Not So Hard, Really)

[Posted by Maureen Azzato to NACS Online]

Making the case for why convenience stores are better at serving their customers, this article points to an all-dayparts, multiple category advantage that c-stores have over quick-service restaurants–something that operators shouldn't forget about as they strategize how to stay competitive against QSR pricing promotions.

While it takes a lot of discipline for convenience stores not to chase every QSR price promotion, Higgins said it is critical to remain focused on your strategy and to remember —and remind your customers —what makes convenience stores unique. "C-stores take care of people’s needs 24/7 in every daypart," he said. "In fact, in the morning a customer can buy breakfast, but can also buy their lunch for later in the day or groceries for dinner, not to mention fuel, lottery, cigarettes...QSRs can’t do that. We have to better leverage the aspects of our business that differentiate us."

Read more at NACSOnline.com

Roller Grill Reverence and Grocery Woes

Image source: CSPDailyNews.com

Image source: CSPDailyNews.com

[Posted by Abbie Westra to CSP Magazine]

The roller grill is still an incredibly important category for c-store foodservice; the key is to elevate it. 

What about all the buzz around the decline in traditional c-store foods? “That stuff gets overblown,” said Hanson. “When we talk about elevating c-store foodservice, the consumer is saying we’ve got to make it more interesting.” That means more unique and higher-end items within core categories. Plied with cupcakes and popcorn, attendees delved into topics ranging from roller grills to cage-free eggs and everything in between. 

Read more at CSPDailyNews.com