In the everyday hustle and bustle of life, there’s never enough time to get everything done. That’s one reason customers look to c-stores as their one-stop shop for refreshing drinks, quick snacks and ready-made meals. Now of course, quick grabs like pizza, hot dogs and deli sandwiches will continue to have their very-welcomed place in the convenience store lineup. But that said, there’s an increasing amount of consumers who want even more from their c-store treats and eats. Appease your customers' appetites and drive more sales by exploring these five ways to level up your convenience store food offerings.
1. Fresh food, fast
Good news for c-stores everywhere — the morning and evening commute is back. That’s right, fuel sales are almost at pre-pandemic levels, and rush hour is in full swing. This means more customers are on the road and stopping in for a quick morning snack or evening to-go meal for the family. Indulge your customers with fresh, ready-to-eat options like savory lasagna or spicy burritos straight from the warming cabinet. Or keep it crisp, cool and fresh with a Southwest chicken salad or buffalo veggie wrap from the cold shelf.
In fact, prepared foods like these are more popular than ever, bringing in 15.2% more revenue last year than they did two years prior. But not just any food will cut it. A recent survey shows that more c-store consumers want fresh and healthy choices. It’s no easy task preparing all that fresh and nutritious fare, but the right kind of equipment can help.
Cooking equipment with a small footprint and the ability to cook a variety of foods in a flash are key for convenience stores looking to meet healthy, fresh-meal demands. An induction cooktop is one way to do this. These units use an impressive heating process that’s insanely fast. How quickly can some induction cooktops do their thing? Well, a quality unit can boil six cups of water in half the time it would take on a conventional cooktop. In addition to speed, some units (like this one) feature programmable presets and pan-sensing technology that help operators multitask. So, while the chicken’s simmering, employees can chop veggies, prepare the garlic aioli sauce or tend to time-rushed customers.
2. Increase product offerings
Equally important to putting out fresh fare is diversifying menu options beyond traditional gas-station offerings. Today’s consumer wants convenience stores to up the ante and put more variety on the table (or more accurately, inside a warming display case). Hands down, ethnic and global foods are where it’s at. Satisfying, flavorful and hand-held options like spicy chicken flautas, curry chickpea samosas, teriyaki stir-fry wraps, cabbage potstickers, carne asada tortas and more are gaining in c-store menu popularity. And while expanding your c-store foodservice offerings is something to carefully consider, the right equipment can make it that much easier.
One user-friendly and versatile unit that can bump up c-store variety is what’s called a multi-purpose baker. Units like these are small, portable and have endless uses. For example, Hatco/Suntec’s Snack System features seven interchangeable plates that’ll pump out a host of tasty options. Quickly cook toasty sealed or pressed panini sandwiches stuffed with an assortment of melted cheese, savory meat and veggies. Think specialty doughnuts or a waffle bar are in your future? No problem, swap out the plates and cook up a storm of these tempting treats. Get as creative as you desire and introduce new, exciting options to your c-store menu rotation with just this one piece of equipment.
3. Flavor, flavor, flavor
Many c-stores are offering a whole lot more than they used to, but even stores that stick to the classics want those items to taste great. Improve flavor with quality ingredients. Food quality can’t get any better than when it first enters your facility, so be certain that the items coming in are up to snuff with your standards. Additionally, formulating (and following) standardized recipes helps create consistent meals time and again — no matter who’s on the schedule that day. Finally, cooking food properly helps get that flavor right. Over or undercooked food just doesn’t cut it; customers won’t always come back for a second try if the first one disappoints.
One way to keep the flavor (and safety) of food tiptop is to maintain proper holding temperatures for all prepared menu items. You can use refrigeration and holding solutions behind the scenes, but you’ll also want to consider hot food merchandisers, cold shelves and display cabinets out front. Reason being, these types of solutions keep food at ideal temperatures while also allowing customers to easily view each food item, and then serve themselves.
4. Better value, better price
Everyone likes a good deal, and c-store food offerings are no exception. In fact, restaurant-quality meals with a lower price point are what customers often come to expect. But with inflation the highest it’s been in years, that can be a tough ask. So what’s the solution? One starting point is to evaluate your supply chain — from produce to packaging and everywhere in between. Compare prices across different vendors and determine the best source for each product your establishment needs. As an added tip, see if a local vendor will offer lower prices or even check out the possibility of participating in a buying co-op to gain more negotiating power.
Lastly, less food waste helps pass along savings to your customers. To curb waste, keep food fresh for longer by ensuring perishables are placed in the cooler or freezer as soon as they’re delivered. Not only that, but pay attention to what you have in your inventory at all times. Rotate stock with a first-in-first-out system. This ensures you can better track items with a pending expiration date and put them on special or a flash sale, instead of in the trash. Savvy customers know real value when they see it, and it’ll keep them coming back again and again.
5. Make it a destination stop
While it’s encouraging that fuel sales are reaching more typical levels, many c-stores are beginning to look beyond the pump. As part of their long-term strategies, more operations are planning for a space where staple groceries line the shelves, artesian coffees are brewing and the smell of delicious food fills the air. No, we’re not talking about Whole Foods® or Kroger®, but modern c-stores with a flare for becoming a destination station.
There’s no doubt that a variety of fresh, flavorful prepared food available at a reasonable price is just the ticket in gaining a loyal crowd. But there’s more. Try offering comfortable seating areas, soft lighting and pleasant music to encourage customers to linger a bit longer. In addition, provide excellent customer service and create a convenient, warm, inviting environment where customers pass by the competition just to walk in your doors.
Let it shine.
C-stores are an integral part of each community, offering everything customers need in one convenient, quick stop. Incorporating ideas like the five listed above will make your operation even more incredible. Looking for more tips to help your operation shine? Check out our recent blog post, The Best Foodservice Equipment for Today’s Most Popular C-Store Items.
