York, Pa.-based Rutter’s Farm Stores is in the midst of record growth for new stores, but it’s seeing new changes inside existing stores as well.
The family-owned company said it has augmented its foodservice offerings by adding a few local favorites to the menu: warm butter pretzels and funnel cakes.
“We’re constantly looking for new ways to fill customers’ appetites for afternoon snacks,” said Jerry Weiner, Rutter’s vice president of food service. “Pretzels and funnel cakes are synonymous with central Pennsylvania, and they provide an alternative to french fries. What’s more, these are two items that are unique to Rutter’s among convenience stores in our area.”
Each item sells for $1.59 and is now available in every Rutter’s store. The pretzels are warmed, buttered, sprinkled with cinnamon and placed in a clear wrap. Customers can pick them up ready-to-eat from a heated grab-and-go cabinet.
The funnel cakes are available in seven new Rutter’s stores that feature the company’s expanded food menu, with plans to expand the new food offering to another 22 stores in 2009, the company said.
The funnel cake dough is fried for 45 seconds, topped with powdered sugar and served on a to-go plate.
Rutter’s has made local flavors a priority at its central Pennsylvania stores, such as red beet eggs.
