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.

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.

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

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

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

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

What is the Roller Grill? (CStore Decisions)

Written by Jim Callahan for cstoredecisions.com

Image Credit: CStore Decisions

Callahan discusses several key items that retailers should be doing in order to keep their customers’ excited about the roller grill–and it’s not just about keeping the product on the grill fresh! It’s also important to keep the restrooms clean and the fountain area tidy, otherwise, customers will begin to think that the roller grill is also unkempt.

First and foremost, take this one to heart – the cleanliness of your Rest Rooms will always be key to the success of your Prepared Food sales. A huge percentage of consumers equate the sight, smell and proper stocking of your Rest Rooms with the quality of your Food offerings.  Further, it is not a failure that they will easily forgive you for!

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.