Restaurants have an Advantage in Selling Meals To-Go

 

Grocery stores and Convenience stores may be selling more grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meals and meal component that ever, however Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® strongly believes that restaurants hold several advantages over convenience stores (c-stores) and grocery stores when it comes to selling meals to-go:

Specialization in prepared food:

·         Menu variety and focus: Restaurants have a wider selection of prepared meals, often specializing in specific cuisines or dishes. This allows them to cater to diverse preferences and offer a more "restaurant-quality" experience compared to the limited, pre-packaged options at c-stores or the grab-and-go sections of grocery stores.

·         Freshness and preparation: Restaurants typically prepare food fresh throughout the day, ensuring better taste and quality compared to pre-made or frozen options found elsewhere.

Dining experience, even for take-out:

·         Packaging and presentation: Restaurants often take greater care in packaging their takeout orders, using containers that maintain food temperature and presentation. This enhances the overall experience for the customer compared to the basic packaging often found in c-stores or grocery stores.

·         Customization options: Many restaurants allow customers to customize their orders, adding or removing ingredients to suit their preferences. This level of personalization is usually not available with pre-made meals from c-stores or grocery stores.

Brand recognition and loyalty:

·         Established reputation: Popular restaurants often have established brand recognition and customer loyalty. This can attract customers seeking familiar flavors and a consistent dining experience, even when opting for take-out.

·         Marketing and promotions: Restaurants can leverage marketing efforts and promotions specifically targeted towards takeout options, further enticing customers compared to the more generic offerings of c-stores and grocery stores.

Think about this, it's important to note that c-stores and grocery stores are increasingly offering prepared food options that compete with restaurants. They are improving their selections, freshness, and convenience, making the landscape more competitive. If both c-stores and grocery stores began to think meals and meal component mix and match bundling, they might just be able double their food sales.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869