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Diversifying the Foodservice Offering

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[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.
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Healthy Fare Drives Roller Grill Flair

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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.

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Roller Grill Cleaning: 5 Quick Tips

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[Posted to foodpros.com/blog by Anonymous]

As a convenience store, tavern or restaurant owner, it is key to highlight moneymaker products. Maximize your sales by creating an appetizing presentation of your hot dogs, taquitos, or sausages on the roller grill; regular roller grill cleaning will help ensure an inviting display is ready for your customers, and is vital to your success as an operator.
Read more at foodpros.com/blog.
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C-Stores Increasingly Winning the Foodservice Battle

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[Posted to CSP Daily News]

A workforce shift that's increasing the number of work-at-home people, combined with pricing increases is causing restaurants to lose ground. This has allowed convenience stores with foodservice offers to pick up additional customers.

Foodservice industry watchers have been buzzing about the recent downswing in restaurant traffic, particularly at lunch, and are pointing to signs that convenience stores are better positioned than ever to benefit.
Last month, a new Technomic consumer study on the lunch daypart reported that the frequency of lunchtime visits to restaurants is down by 5% since 2014. … Also, the latest increase in menu prices have restaurants feeling the pinch; NPD reported that at some restaurant categories, lunch-menu prices have jumped by about 5% over the threshold that consumers identify as the sweet spot between “affordable to eat there” and “good value for the money.”

Combined with the "roller-grill allure" that CSP also reported on back in May of this year, wherein "42% of consumers say they are likely to visit a c-store for prepared foods if roller-grill items are available," it seems like a prime time to make sure your roller grill offerings are up to snuff to make sure you're grabbing all the customers you can. Keep things clean and attractive; don't let your roller grill products lose their visual appeal by sitting too long on the grill. 

Read more at CPSDailyNews.com

Opinion: 3 Steps to Give Your Roller Grill a Refresh

[Posted by Deborah L. Holand to CSP Magazine]

In this interesting opinion piece, Holand points to the encroachment of hot dogs from quick-service locations, such as Burger King, as to why convenience stores should refocus their attention on the roller grill–and give it a boost in the customers' eyes. She points to a new signage, differentiating products, and re-investing resources as the key points to maintaining your margins in the roller grill category.

Step one: Clean house. Giving the venue a face lift can be inexpensive and quick. A good deep cleaning and attractive signage wraps can turn old displays into fresh marketing engines. Create visual presentations that showcase fresh product variety while clearly communicating quality and value. And while you are upgrading your menu, reset expectations on staff  training and reward store associates who demonstrate high standards of excellence.

Read more at CSPDailyNews.com

The Perfect Squiggle On Your Hot Dog

[Posted to foodpros.com]

Have you ever wanted the picture-perfect squiggle on your hot dogs to improve your overall presentation? The team at foodpros shows you how in this quick video tip.

Make sure the ketchup or mustard is in the tip of the squeeze bottle nozzle before you start.
Starting at one end, make a little twist.
Use a simple wrist action to move across the dog, while simultaneously making your way down the length.
Finish with another twist.
Enjoy.

Read more at foodpros.com/blog

Global Flavors Entering C-Stores

[Posted CSP Daily News]

Van's Kitchen reports that global flavors, particularly Asian flavors such as rice bowls, hot soups, and salad bars, continue to trend upwards and are "almost mainstream" in the c-store foodservice industry.

According to its State of the Snack Food report, sushi has seen incredible growth in the c-store arena, with a 13.1% dollar sales growth over other over other snack food items such as jerky (12.6%), bakery snacks (11.6%), breakfast wraps (10.3%), and even pastry items and doughnuts (5.6%).

Snacking is also up, especially later in the day, with the portability of snack items playing a role in that category's increase. 

According to IRI’s report, snacking occasions have increased in the afternoon (69%) and evening (55%) compared to other times of day, making lunch and dinner-food options, including savory appetizers, more enticing to consumers.
Portability plays a role in the snacking growth. According to Technomic, three-fifths of consumers (60%) cite portability as an important or extremely important reason for choosing a snack.

Read more at CSPDailyNews.com