Is 7-Eleven Replacing the Roller Grill?

Foodservice Solutions® article Roll, Roll, Roll Away Roller Grill garnered more attention in 2009 than any other article and has since driven more business into Foodservice Solutions® than any other.  Go figure. The undercurrents of change have been read, the tea leaves sorted, sipped, and savored. There is no going back, fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat food is here to stay.

It has taken longer than Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ anticipated but 7-Elevens emphases on fresh food only continues to grow. Gen X, Millennials, and Boomers all expect more better-for-you offerings, 7-Eleven is building top line sales, bottom line profits, customer frequency with food not gasoline as the focus today. Health and wellness, in the U.S. is a $50 billion category growing, 7-Eleven is in ‘better for you’ food for just that reason.

Raja Doddala, senior director for innovation at 7-Eleven stated "We can provide a convenient way for healthy and fitness-oriented consumers to fuel their daily lives," while speaking about testing fitness guru Tony Horton new line of fresh food in the LA market.

Doddala stated “sales of fresh products are up 30% over the past year, says Doddala. Healthy food options are the second-most requested items from 7-Eleven customers across all social media, the Internet and toll-free phone calls to the company”. 

The new menu includes two sandwiches (including Grilled Chicken with blueberry mustard on a whole-grain sub); two salads (including Spicy Quinoa Salad with Chimichurri dressing); two wraps (including Spicy Black Bean Hummus & Vegetables); and four cold-pressed juices (including one that combines apple, celery, beet, ginger, parsley, spinach and lemon).

So, do we think the Roller Grill will be gone any time soon.  No, but it just may be time for you to walk in any 7-Eleven look past the Roller Grill and you may just be surprised when you see fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, sushi and fresh deli-style sandwiches for sale. Yes, 7-Eleven is getting ‘better for You’.

Outside eyes can deliver top sales and bottom line profits.  Invite www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  to provide brand and product positioning assistance or a grocerant program assessment. Have you completed a Grocerant Scorecard? Contact: 253-759-7869 or Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us