Despite increasing competition from made-to-order items, roller grill is still a c-store foodservice mainstay. And for good reason. In a recent Convenience Store Foodservice report by Mintel International research company, at least half of the respondents said they had and would order hot dogs or corn dogs at convenience stores. “I believe that consumers have…
Chicken Sales Fly High
There’s no doubt that chicken is the nation’s No. 1 protein. According to the National Chicken Council, Americans consume 83.6 pounds of it per capita, more than anyone else in the world. In its 2014 Consumer Survey, the Council reported that 89% of consumers said they ate chicken during a two-week period. And they ate…
Customers Like Hispanic Food Options
Hispanic Americans are expected to make up 31% of the U.S. population by 2060, reported the U.S. Census Bureau. And, according to Forbes magazine and other media, they are expected to have $1.5 trillion in buying power this year, a 50% increase from 2010, according to Nielsen research. The NPD Group forecasts that the consumption…
Connecting With Coffee Customers Gets Personal
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…
Chuckles: A Family Affair
With new locations planned for Kentucky and Indiana, third-generation C.E. Taylor Oil is positioning its Chuckles convenience store chain for the future. By David Bennett, Senior Editor When C.E. Taylor Oil Inc. was just getting started, family members who were intent on growing the business realized that while gas was the base of operations, retail…
Brewing Up Innovation
The rising cost of coffee and growing competition among convenience stores is spurring richer coffee programs across the board. By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Due to Last Year’s droughts that hit Brazil, in addtion to a fungus that ravaged coffee bean fields in Central America for a good part of 2014, coffee prices rose about…
Frozen Beverage Revolution
Known for thrills, chills and even spills, frozen beverages have grown from meager c-store beginnings to celebrity status. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor Before frozen dispensed beverages made a mark in venues such as amusement parks, movie theaters and shopping food courts, the unique product was born and raised in the convenience store industry. No…
Lifting the Veil
What will it take to get Cuban cigars onto c-store shelves? By Howard Riell, Associate Editor Convenience store operators who thought cigars when they learned of President Obama’s plan to restore diplomatic ties with Cuba and dismantle economic sanctions may have to wait a while to bring those quality stogies to shelves. With an embassy…
Counting On Chocolate
While chocolate may be the gift of choice on Valentine’s Day, the sweet treat remains a year-round staple for convenience stores. By Anne Baye Ericksen, Contributing Editor Sales of chocolate bars, chocolate-coated candy or fruit and chocolate bites continue to grow as convenience store customers indulge in their favorite confectionery. In fact, demand for the…
Building a Customized Loyalty Program
Using an industry-leading loyalty solution, operators across a host of retail channels can drive new business, gather crucial customer data and increase overall ticket sales. By John Lofstock, Editor Loyalty programs are everywhere in the retail industry. Customers encounter them multiple times almost every day—whether shopping at a grocery store, buying a cup of coffee…