Without doubt foodservice sales at convenience stores continue
to fuel growth simultaneously disrupting customer count growth at chain
restaurants according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.
Once again its a story about the little guy trying harder, Rutter’s, a regional chain
of 71 foodservice-forward convenience stores, was selected the 2018 Foodservice
Innovator of the Year in Convenience Store News’ seventh-annual
Foodservice Innovators Awards program.
Regular reader of this blog know we have covered, recommended,
and lauded Rutter’s who constantly in the news with new menu offerings that are
distinctive vs. the competition, while expanding its customer base.
CSNews mentioned that “among the many accomplishments the
retailer is being recognized for this year are:
·
Expanding its food menu to include two local favorites: Pork
Belly and Pepperoni "Roni" Rolls. Pork Belly is available as an
additional topping for such items as burgers, sandwiches and mac & cheese,
in addition to serving as a standalone sandwich, sub or wrap. It was initially
available exclusively at Rutter’s for two months. "Roni" rolls
are soft, Italian dough stuffed with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, and
topped with cheese. Like Pork Belly, it is supplied by a local manufacturer —
defined as being located within a 100-mile radius of Rutter’s corporate office,
or in the state of Pennsylvania.
·
Earlier this year, Rutter’s further expanded its extensive food
menu by offering customers more than 25 new seafood options. Items include
fried shrimp tacos, tavern battered cod sandwiches, crab cake sliders, fried
scallops, a fried clams basket meal, crab and roasted corn chowder, and single,
double and triple tavern battered cod Route 30 sandwiches. This offering
represents the most seafood options of any convenience store operator in
central Pennsylvania, according to the company.
·
Rutter’s has been investing in local, fresh and healthier
product procurement. In January, the retailer promoted Cheri Booth to the new
position of fresh and local category manager, reporting to Ryan Krebs, director
of foodservice. Booth oversees all aspects of local, fresh procurement
including produce, seasonal fruits and vegetables, foodservice, snacks,
beverages, beer and wine. At the time of Booth’s promotion, Krebs stated,
"Consumers increasingly want more fresh, local and clean label products.
We think that deserves a dedicated person to make sure we are providing our
customers with the highest-quality local products possible."
Making fresh fresher within the c-store sector, Rutter’s
expanded its fresh and local initiatives with the addition of seasonal fruits
and vegetables to its grab-and-go cold cases and fresh restaurant menu
offerings. An assortment — which could include watermelon,
blueberries, heirloom cherry tomatoes, sweet corn, and yellow and green squash,
depending on the time of year — is available in the grab-and-go case in
the center of its stores. The watermelon, blueberries and tomatoes come in
ready-to-eat packaging for a quick and healthy snack.
Local with relevance is important and Rutter’s will change its
fresh and local selection of ingredients as the growing seasons change. A
“Local” icon on the retailer’s electronic build-your-own ordering kiosks
identifies available offerings. The c-store chain’s grab-and-go and restaurant
menu produce is sourced from family farms throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland,
New Jersey and Virginia.
“Foodservice
is at the core of our company. It has been since we started as a dairy back in
1921,” said Scott Hartman, Rutter’s president and CEO. “Food has been a core
part of our sales and it’s ever-increasing. It drives so many other categories
in our stores, from the beverages that go with foodservice to the snacks and
the candy, and just the foot traffic it drives during key dayparts.” Are you
expanding choice? Are you inviting new customers into your stores? Does your menu look more like last years menu?
Invite Foodservice
Solutions® to complete a Grocerant Program Assessment, Grocerant ScoreCard, or
for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant
Guru®. Since 1991 www.FoodserviceSolutions.us of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in
the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
or 253-759-7869
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