Whether grab-and-go, made-to-order or both, deli had better translate to delicious to persuade consumers to make your c-store a foodservice destination. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Consumers might not expect to find a “gourmet” deli inside a convenience store, but that’s just what they get at Bolla Market locations around New York City and Long…

As a snack, appetizer, side or main meal, soup sells steadily throughout the day and—surprisingly enough—in the morning. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor It may not be as enticing as a piled-high sandwich or as full of pizzazz as a generously topped pizza but, in its own quiet way, soup is a fresh foodservice workhorse.…

Chicken is the No. 1 protein on restaurant and other foodservice menus. It’s economical and can be prepared in so many different ways, making it a customer favorite. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor According to the United States Department of Agriculture, per capita consumption of chicken is projected to be 89.6 pounds this year, up…

While quick-service restaurants have been struggling with flat or slumping pizza sales over the past few years, convenience stores have been experiencing double-digit growth in the segment. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Based on a premise that more options would lead to more sales, Pizza Hut has amped up its menu to give consumers twice…

In a growing number of c-stores, roller grills have come a long way from being an entry-level hot dog tool. Now they serve as a provider of a wide variety of innovative meals and snack foods. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Not so long ago, most roller grills were like drinking from an iffy water…

Without the right strategies and tools in place, tracking such line items as fuel pricing and in-store inventory can be a tricky—and costly—proposition. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor With stores located in highly competitive marketplaces, Kyle Lawrence, president of Kimball, Mich.-based By-Lo Oil Co., found himself constantly adjusting fuel pricing for the company’s Speedy Q…

Limited time offers are helping c-store chains add excitement to the menu. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor This spring, Stop ‘n Go Convenience Store are spicing up the menu, testing a sriracha southwest sausage pizza with jalapeño peppers and queso in place of marinara sauce. Summer, the stores’ busiest season, is peak time for introducing…

Flavorful and healthy are what American consumers are craving, and expect to get it whether it’s made-to-order or grab-and-go. Some retailers explain how they use fresh and—increasingly—ethnic products to satisfy customers’ expectations. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor In a recent survey by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), almost two in three Americans (64%)…

Despite last year’s price increases, Americans are still treating themselves to the little luxury that is chocolate. Retailers report how they control this ever-growing category and keep their focus on consumers’ sweet spot. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor It’s hard to think of anything that 85% of Americans would agree on. One consensus, however, is…

Salty snacks are getting suggestive, with sweet and spicy variations abounding. With the Sweets & Snacks Expo scheduled this month in Chicago, the category is generating as much interest as it ever has. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Seeds are taking over the snack aisles at some convenience stores across the country. Cubby’s Convenience Stores,…