Both proprietary and established-brand foodservice have advantages and challenges. Retailers tell Convenience Store Decisions which they chose and why. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor PS Food Marts had its own proprietary deli program about 20 years ago. They had a great concept and products, but marketing an unknown brand was tough, said Ed Heath, vice…

Clear visuals, strict till limits and great customer service are keys to deterring convenience store robberies. Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Robbery occurs less often than some other crimes, but the potential for loss, injury and death is much greater during a single robbery incident, according to the convenience store security guidelines for owners and managers…

Made-to-order may be the current darling of a growing number of c-stores, but a well-run roller grill program is still central to successful fresh foodservice. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor They smell it. They see it. They want it. For most convenience stores, the roller grill is the customers’ first introduction to the store’s fresh…

With commodity prices of beef and other non-poultry proteins on the rise and consumers wanting healthful choices and variety, chicken continues to grow as a foodservice favorite among c-store operators and their customers. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor 7-Eleven announced in April that it was beefing up its chicken offerings with the addition of lightly-…

Whether open and closed loop prepaid cards are a significant profit generator or just an important convenience customers expect to find in their c-store, virtual gift cards are changing the category for retailers. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor The prepaid category is changing. Of the amount of gift cards sold in terms of dollars loaded,…

The competition for the $46.5 billion breakfast business is at a fever pitch with retail giants from McDonald’s and Taco Bell to Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts rolling out sandwich interpretations to steal new morning business. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Quick-service restaurants are hitting all of today’s consumers’ hot buttons with their latest breakfast offerings.…

Green, clean and seen are three of the biggest innovations when it comes to preparing fresh foods fast and merchandising them to capture shoppers’ attention wherever they are in the store. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Gas pumps Today are far from the one-dimensional fuel systems used in 1955. So why do so many convenience…

After the recession-fueled hesitancy of the last couple of years, some retailers are once again investing in new foodservice equipment to add new items, boost sales of existing ones and streamline operations. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor When FriendShip Food Stores, based in Fremont, Ohio, decided to add frozen yogurt to the foodservice offerings at…

Research shows that breakfast sales are on the rise and that means sales can be too for retailers who have solid bakery products and programs in place. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor Packaged Facts research firm estimated that restaurant breakfast sales reached $47 billion in 2013, up 5% from 2012. And the company predicted that…

Busy Americans are increasingly going the grab-and-go route for lunch and dinner solutions. But even the most time-starved consumers have definite standards about what foods they will choose. By Marilyn Odesser-Torpey, Associate Editor. Grab and go is a close to $13 million category, with everyone from quick-service restaurants to pharmacies competing for share of stomach…