The decision to add a roller grill to your c-store will ultimately depend on your particular store’s needs and constraints as well as your specific clientele. Still, there are some clear benefits to this foodservice offer.
Here are some of biggest benefits of rollers:
Grab-and-Go
While made-to-order foodservice is increasingly popular, there’s a reason the roller grill is a tried and true favorite for c-stores: The roller grill is the ultimate convenience — a quick and easy lunch or snack for customers in a hurry.
And despite being less expensive than made-to-order foods, roller grill offers are consumer favorites.
In fact, overall sales of hot dogs rose about 20% in 2020, according to the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. In March, at the start of the pandemic’s spread in the. U.S., sales soared 127% in grocery stores specifically before they began to even out. Dinner sausage sales experienced a similar increase — up 24% in sales and 15% in total pounds in 2020.
Space-Saver
Today’s consumers love customization, and this is where made-to-order foodservice options really shine. But customization can be challenging for operators, especially for c-stores, given space constraints.
The roller grill provides smaller stores with a solid foodservice option while taking up minimal space. And c-stores can enable customization with sauces, toppings and limited-time offers.
Self-Serve
The roller grill is self-serve, which helps retailers keep labor costs low while still providing customers with a great grab-and-go foodservice option. And while, of course, the roller grill must be properly and frequently cleaned and restocked, it’s relatively low-maintenance.
Ultimately, roller grills can provide great profit at a relatively low investment, and they can be a useful tool for stores with few employees — something that’s especially helpful now, at a time when many retailers are experiencing labor shortages.
The pandemic did pose some unique challenge for the roller grill in particular for this reason, as some retailers paused self-serve offers like roller grills sales altogether, and others were able to bring the segment behind the counter. Post-pandemic, roller grills are poised for further growth.