Top-quartile chains continue to post strong sales across all food segments, while retailers express confidence for healthy category growth throughout 2012. By David Bishop, Contributing Editor. We all know times are tough. The consumer is looking for greater value at a time when retailers are focusing on being competitive without losing their shirts. Retailers recognize…
Keeping the Menu Fresh
Foodservice customers are becoming value-conscious, a reflection of current economic conditions. Consumers are now expecting better value in terms of price, service, consistency and food quality. By John Lofstock, Editor. Bringing consumers into convenience stores to buy food requires a great offering at a good price. But with all the competition for share of stomach,…
Chester’s Opens 17 New Locations
“Each opening brings Chester’s great chicken and sides to more people, and keeps the brand growing,” says Chester’s spokesperson. Chester’s International LLC continues its aggressive expansion by opening 17 more domestic locations. With industry expectations that convenience store food sales will outperform the restaurant and food industry averages, Chester’s is well positioned for success. Chester’s…
7-Eleven Adds APW Wyott Roller Grills
7-Eleven is adding new roller grills by Standex International Corp. Food Service Equipment Group’s APW Wyott brand. Equipment shipments are expected to commence in the fourth quarter of calendar 2010. 7-Eleven operates, franchises or licenses more than 8,200 7-Eleven stores in North America and, globally, approximately 38,500 stores in 16 countries. “Our selection as an…
Ethnic Fare Adds Foodservice Flair
Sushi in the c-store cooler? Burritos in the food warmer? Mediterranean sandwiches on the menu? Exotic foods are here to stay and becoming more mainstream, spicing up the foodservice section and appealing to a wide audience. With the growth of the Internet consumers today are exposed to new foods they may not be used to…
The Science of Slurpee Flavors
Creating the many flavors of 7-Eleven Slurpees is a sophisticated process. That’s why at the Dr Pepper Snapple (DPS) Group Research & Development Center’s Plano, Texas, headquarters, a cadre of scientists, engineers, technical specialists, researchers and marketers work with the 7-Eleven Inc. Slurpee product team on the year-round job of keeping new flavors in the…
Raising the Bar on Snack Sales
Energy bars are most often associated with top athletes and endurance sports. But as consumers have found themselves pressed for time—and energy—the category has morphed into an array of tasty, low-cost products that provide a quick meal solution across multiple dayparts. More importantly, the category has evolved to include a multitude of variations from healthy…
An Appetizing Offering
Keeping the Customers Satisfied John Foley, an independent culinary consultant, said c-stores are a perfect fit for appetizers because of their portability and lower cost. He offered retailers five tips for increasing appetizer, soup and salad sales. 1) Develop a series of appetizers that are not on your regular menu and rotate them as specials…
Rutter’s Introduces Pigtails, Slice Roast Pork Au Jus
York, Pa.-based Rutter’s Farm Stores, which operates 55 c-stores in Pennsylvania has introduced pigtails in a cup, as well as sliced roast pork au jus and a number of other new items. The new food menu items will be offered at its 38 stores that have touch-screen ordering. An order of pigtails comprises two hot…
New York City’s New Sodium Guidelines Meet Resistance
The Center for Consumer Freedom (CCF) is firing back at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene after it recently announced preliminary sodium reduction guidelines for restaurants and food manufacturers. CCF warns that these new guidelines could cause many of America’s favorite foods to take an unfortunate turn for the bland. “The…