Rutter's Menu Innovation Edifies Local

Success does leave clues and Rutter’s understands innovation does not mean something completely new or different it means something familiar something local something liked by current customers according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Rutter's has include two local favorites to its menu: Pork Belly and Pepperoni "Roni" Rolls. Pork Belly rolled out across the York-based convenience store retailer's menu on Wednesday and is available as an additional topping for items including burgers, sandwiches, and mac & cheese, in addition to a standalone sandwich, sub or wrap. It will be featured on Rutter's menu exclusively for two months.

Keeping the flavor profile local Rutter’s Pork Belly is supplied from local vendor Garrett Valley in Swedesboro, N.J. According to Rutter's, it is the only c-store chain in the country to initially have this item.

Rutter's partnered with another local vendor, Mom's Wholesale Foods in New Castle, Pa., to introduce Roni Rolls. The menu addition is soft, Italian dough stuffed with pepperoni and mozzarella cheese, and topped with cheese.

Rutter's focuses on local manufacturers and suppliers to help it bring high-quality ingredients to customers. The c-store retailer describes local food items as products that come from producers/manufacturers within a 100-mile radius from its corporate office, or in the state of Pennsylvania, Rutter's Director of Foodservice Ryan Krebs noted.

Success does leave clues Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced business development. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities or a new menu product segment and brand and menu integration strategy.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/ or twitter.com/grocerant

Sneak a Peak at Panera’s Undercurrents of Customer Attraction

Success does leave clues and regular readers of this blog know that integrating the Foodservice Solutions® FIVE P’s of food marketing drives top line sales, brand awareness, and bottom line profits according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

The line between retail channels has nearly vanished as it gets thinner and thinner brands must edify their relationships with consumers by extending an invitation in new non-traditional channels of distribution. Panera Bread said that its retail sales for Panera at Home’s refrigerated soups exceeded $100 million in 2017. Its retail sales grew by nearly 27 percent in 2017, according to company press releases.

Mike Bufano, Panera at Home’s senior vice president and general manager stated “Consumers are gravitating towards the perimeter of grocery stores, looking for food with our cafe-fresh taste, made with real ingredients,”…“Across categories, Panera at Home delivers on this consumer need for food that is not only 100% clean, but convenient and craveable too, from a brand they love and trust. It is a true extension of the Panera Bread brand beyond the bakery-cafe.”

It’s not a surprise to anyone that Panera’s strong growth in refrigerated soups can be attributed to the company’s commitment to 100 percent clean food, which is free from artificial preservatives, sweeteners, flavors and colors, according to Bufano.

Did you know that the Panera at Home portfolio, consists of approximately 100 products available at grocery retailers, supercenters and club stores nationwide. Panera at Home offers more than 15 varieties of soup, including broccoli cheddar, kale & quinoa and turkey sausage. The broccoli cheddar soup is Panera’s best-seller across its restaurants and grocery retailers, the company said.

In addition to soups, Panera at Home also includes mac & cheese, salad dressings, sliced sandwich bread and ground coffee. So we ask you what are you selling and where?  Are you ready to sell fresh prepared food in a new non-traditional, non-grocery, non-conveniences store outlet?

Are you trapped doing what you have always done and doing it the same way?  Interested in learning how www.FoodserviceSolutions.us can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or visit:  www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information.