Cereal sales are suffering as consumers look for more portable breakfast options like egg sandwiches and Greek yogurt. With the right mix of products and value, convenience stores are well positioned to capture a greater share of the breakfast business. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor In a recent survey, NPD Group researchers found that American…

A growing number of manufacturers are making foodservice equipment sized to fit smaller footprints required by convenience stores. Moreover, retailers are using these machines to make the most of their limited foodservice space. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Kyle Lore, corporate chef for North Salt Lake, Utah-based Maverik Convenience Stores, is not an impulsive person,…

While some c-stores are adding barista-staffed bars to compete in the coffee arena, most are finding simpler ways to make brew buying a more personalized experience for their customers. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. With about 11,000 chain and 14,000 independent cafes in the U.S., according to the Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA), consumers…

Just telling customers your food is fresh isn’t enough. Savvy retailers are building consumer confidence through co-branding and proprietary programs. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Who says you can’t please everyone? When it comes to foodservice, co-branding with established restaurant concepts enables the Kwik Stop stores in and around Dubuque, Iowa to cover every need…

Good store design is more than just a pretty face. It can mean the difference between efficient and inefficient work flow, and whether customers see your products and perceive your brand in a positive light. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Alon Brands, the nation’s largest licensee of 7-Eleven stores, with 295 locations in west and…

Expanding foodservice offerings often means shopping for new equipment. Retailers share how they are getting the biggest bang for their investment buck. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor One size doesn’t fit all, it turns out. At least it doesn’t when it comes to the new ovens ordered for Austin, Texas-based Kwik Chek Food Stores. When…

Pizza is America’s go-to food for single dining, group meals or snacking occasions. Because of the trend, c-store sales are mushrooming. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor It’s no secret that Americans love pizza. Every week, two out of three Americans eat pizza and the average consumer purchases pizza away from home five times a month—more…

Though quick-service and fast casual restaurants keep ramping up their a.m. game, c-stores can keep up with the best of them as industry retailers share some of their most eye-opening products and strategies. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor In the breakfast arena, there’s no time for convenience store retailers to sit back on their muffins…

Trend reports from research firms can tell you a lot about what foods and flavors are craved by America’s taste buds. But c-stores don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time to keep their lunch and dinner menus fresh and relevant. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor When incorporating the latest craze into your foodservice menus,…

Consumers are finding the protein and satisfaction they want in dried meat snacks. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor An increasing number of American consumers are looking for snacks that do more than taste good. In a recent survey conducted by Nielsen, a consumer research organization, over half of the respondents said it was “very important”…