QuickChek’s Finding Success with Foodservice

 

New year, new store and a renewed focus on foodservice will drive growth at QuickChek in 2022 according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  With a renewed customer focus on Grocerant Niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food QuickChek is doubling down on comfort food, with selections like Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese bowls, hot soups and meatloaf sandwiches.

A new year, a new store features a contemporary new white and brick exterior design with a green tower with a large green “Q” to complement an innovative “Fresh to Go” interior layout designed to enhance the shopping experience for busy people on the go.

“QuickChek Vice President of Marketing & Operations Don Leech, stated, “the opening of our new Hamilton Township store enables us to meet the demand for safe, convenient shopping and fuel service in the area and will also be very beneficial to those utilizing the transit center and the Northeast Corridor Line,”.

More than food, the new store creates 35-45 new local jobs, including eight management positions. Each new QuickChek location typically generates approximately $1 million in tax revenues, adding to its positive impact on the community.

As part of its grand opening, QuickChek will donate 25 cents for every sub, sandwich and wrap sold in the store from Dec. 30-Jan. 27 to the Hamilton Township Recreational Baseball Association Little League.

More than half of the new store will be dedicated to freshly prepared food and beverages, including QuickChek’s guaranteed fresh-brewed hot and iced coffees, to meet the needs of today’s fast-casual shopper. The store’s new look — and winter menu — will be very appealing.

The new store design and innovation features include:

·         An open floor plan featuring earth tone colors, clean sightlines and spacious stand-alone food displays, as well as consumer-friendly expansive aisles

·         An extensive display of freshly-made QuickChek grab-and-go food and market items

·         A new foodservice menu, featuring extensions to the popular Portuguese roll lineup of signature six-inch and 12-inch original recipe QuickChek sub sandwiches and wraps, custom-made with flavorful ingredients and fresh meats and cheeses

·         A daily rotation of freshly-prepared, never-frozen QuickChek soups

·         A wide selection of healthy baked snacks and fresh-cut fruit

·         Fresh QuickChek baked goods made in-store

·         Indoor seating counters that offer phone and laptop charging stations and free WiFi

“We believe in letting you choose your convenience, whether you shop in-store, mobile-order through the QuickChek Rewards app for store or curbside pickup, delivery through DoorDash, Grubhub or Uber Eats, or on the go,” added Leech.

Get this the new Hamilton Township store will be open 24 hours a day, enabling consumers to create made-to-order breakfast items, including English Muffin Breakfast sandwiches and oven-toasted fresh QuickChek subs, wraps and salads, as well as personalized hot and cold beverages exactly as they want them or freshly prepared ready-to-go items, any time of day or night.

Incremental amenities include no-fee ATMs, which provide additional added value to consumers; indoor seating for 11 people and outdoor seating for 16; 16 fueling positions; and ample parking with 69 parking spaces.

Regular readers of this blog know that 57% of consumers saying they’re interested in comfort food, especially millennial and Gen Z diners, QuickChek’s new winter menu will meet these cravings. Selections range from the Ultimate Italian sub, Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese bowls, bowls of freshly prepared hot soups and meatloaf sandwiches.

Once again, QuickChek’s coffee wall features a large variety of fresh-brewed hot and iced coffees, as well as teas, hot chocolates and decadent smoothies. Grand opening promotions include free hot or iced QuickChek coffee offered to all patrons for a limited time. In 2022 foodservice is more relevant than ever  before.

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

QuickChek Partnership with Online Lottery Service will Drive Frequency

How are you going to drive adoption of your app by consumers?  Once you garner trail on your app how can you keep you brand and app top-of-mind with consumers? According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® new partnerships can help drive app trial, adoption, while increasing frequency of use.”

In an effort to drive customer frequency with their app, QuickChek Corp. and Lotto.com Inc. are partnering to deliver customers a secure and contactless online lottery experience. This will drive new electricity into the QuickChek brand according to Johnson.

So, Lotto.com is a web-based platform that allows consumers to buy lottery tickets on any device without downloading a mobile app or depositing money into an account. As exclusive retail partner, QuickChek will enable the startup to reach consumers across the chain's convenience stores in the Garden State. It’s that simple.  Most of our regular readers will know that once again, Johnson, is highlighting a great example of customer focused interactive, participatory marketing.

QuickChek Vice President of Marketing and Operations Don Leech, "We are no stranger to today's digital world as we have been providing consumers with convenience through mobile ordering, our mobile rewards app, and the ability to order delivery online. Our partnership with Lotto.com will enable us to further meet the needs of consumers who prefer to shop and play online." 

Get this, Lotto.com is a registered courier of the New Jersey Lottery and is the second licensed lottery courier in the United States. The company's dual mission is to modernize how the lottery is played while increasing its benefit to the public by aiding state funding and bolstering the proceeds that benefit many New Jersey state-run programs.

Lotto.com CEO Thomas Metzger, stated, "Our team is here to promote the lottery in a way no one else imagined — a digital-first, user-centric way that requires no app downloads or deposits.”… "At Lotto.com we are on a mission to increase contributions to good causes, tying them to every ticket sold. To help us achieve this, we’ve partnered with QuickChek, a leader in convenience and service. Coupling this offering with our best-in-class lottery distribution platform, we are able to deliver a seamless online experience for players in the most secure way possible." Lotto.com operates an e-commerce platform based on four key pillars:

1.       Convenience: Those ages 18 and older can pick their lucky numbers manually or use the platform's Quick Pick random number generator.

2.       Security: Payment information is managed by industry leading payment partners who comply with all PCI standards and physical lottery tickets are stored in Lotto.com's fire-proof vault that is monitored 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

3.       Safety: To encourage partakers to play responsibly, the platform provides controls to set spending limits and schedule self-exclusion. It also performs age verification and geolocation checks to ensure proper use of the platform.

4.       Peace of Mind: When players purchase a digital ticket, they own it. The platform will notify players if they've won so they don't have to set "check your numbers" reminders.

This is a good thing, by supporting user participation in U.S. state lotteries, Lotto.com helps fund state-run programs across education, parks, emergency responders, veterans' health, and other vital services. Depending on the state, up to 50 percent of all lottery ticket sales support these initiatives, according to the company. Lotto.com plans to expand nationally.

How is your brand building new electricity? According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new menu related products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.”

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, music, developing brands, unique urban hemp clothing, grocerant positioning, EV Charging Stations fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable.

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit GrocerantGuru.com for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success. 

Murphy USA Grocerant Niche Fresh Food Will Drive Growth

 

Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food continues to drive growth in every sector of food retail focusing on garnering incremental customers and customer frequency according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Let’s look at some facts:

1.       When asked if they wanted to cook dinner from scratch or assemble dinner from fresh meal components 90.4 % of Gen Z chose assemble from Fresh Prepared Meal Components and Millennials 82.7% chose meal components, grocerant scorecards.  

2.       83.1% all dinners have at least 1 grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meal component and 68.4% have two meal components, grocerant scorecards.

3.       Online food and beverage sales — including grocery plus restaurant online delivery — jumped 125% to $106 billion over the 52 weeks ended Nov. 30, accounting for 12% of overall dollars spent in those categories, NielsenIQ data shows. 

4.       35% of off-premises customers ages 21+ are more likely to choose a restaurant if it offers the option of including alcoholic beverages with the to-go order, NielsenIQ.

5.       Restaurant digital ordering and delivery has grown 300% faster than dine-in traffic since 2014, Technomic

Since Murphy USA recent acquisition of QuickChek they have ramp up its food and beverage offering as regular readers of this blog know. Murphy USA's, President and CEO Andrew Clyde stated, “ the company was open to pursuing targeted merger and acquisition activity, particularly if it includes chains with existing at-scale food and beverage capabilities that could deliver immediate benefits and upgrade Murphy USA's existing operations.” Note: The deal closed Jan. 29, becoming the first notable c-store M&A transaction of 2021.

Clyde continued "With QuickChek, we are well positioned to accelerate our strategic agenda, creating an even higher-quality income stream that is inclusive of a best-in-class food and beverage offer," …"Together, we can grow better, faster and stronger as our highly engaged teams share a passion for delivering excellence to our customers, our employees, our communities and our investors."

According to the CEO, the main strategic initiative going forward will be leveraging QuickChek's food and beverage platforms on "a fit-for-purpose basis for all formats." "The 1,400-square-foot stores have a coffee program, have dispensed beverage, have a made-to-stock food and beverage offer. There are definitely opportunities there," .

Let’s stop right here.  I want everyone to reread the last two paragraphs.  Yes, you read it right they bought the company because of their quality grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat was scalable fresh food.  

Clyde acknowledged we can absolutely benefit from the coffee program, the practices,"  Then "As the former [QuickChek] CEO Dean Durling said, there's 100 steps to making a great cup of coffee and we need to add about 90. There will be opportunities to do that, as well as improving our grab-and-go food program."

Clyde noted that the changes will not have immediate benefits in 2021, according to Clyde, but will set the foundation for accelerated growth in 2022 and beyond. Murphy USA and its team of nearly 15,000 employees serve an estimated 2 million customers each day through its network of retail gas stations and c-stores in 27 states. Are you looking a customer ahead? Should you buy or build?

For international corporate presentations, regional chain presentations, educational forums, or keynotes contact: Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions.  His extensive experience as a multi-unit restaurant operator, consultant, brand / product positioning expert, and public speaking will leave success clues for all. For more information visit GrocerantGuru.com, FoodserviceSolutions.US or call 1-253-759-7869

QuickChek Meal’s Menu Mainlined with Delivery

Restaurants search for answers and convenience stores the ilk of QuickChek Corp. expand customer relevance with new electricity, delivering a fresh fast solution for dinner meals and more according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

That new electricity comes via a new partnership with DoorDash to offer its complete foodservice menu for delivery. Why is this important third party delivery is an incremental step that drives top line sales and bottom line profits according to Johnson. It’s the start, milk, eggs, soap will be next to increase the basket size and most importantly drive the all-important mix & match bunding so important for consumers buying within the grocerant niche.

Delivery is the latest convenient purchase option from QuickChek Corp., following the introduction of in-store self-checkout counters, mobile ordering and curbside pickup. Remember in 2020 saving time is at the core of everything for the consumer even if they have been staying home.

QuickChek CEO Dean Durling stated "We let you choose your convenience, and with our new partnership with DoorDash, we can deliver whatever you're in the mood for right to your door, whenever and wherever you want,".

Third party Apps the ilk of DoorDash’s mobile app have become a platform that consumers expect to find a  full range of items including QuickChek's custom-made sub sandwiches and wraps made with seasonal ingredients and fresh meats and cheeses; comfort foods such as mac-and-cheese; fresh baked QuickChek snacks, including French fries, empanadas, and mozzarella sticks; and handcrafted QuickChek beverages, including real fruit smoothies, milkshakes and decadent treats.

Since the delivery rollout began, 12-inch subs, six-packs of fresh baked QuickChek chocolate chunk cookies, and pints of ice cream are among the most popular items. Safe food delivery options are paramount during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to QuickChek, which noted that it has added a speedy, contactless way for consumers to enjoy their favorite foods as well as bypass a trip to the supermarket.

Battle for Share of Stomach

Durling continued "Whether you want to visit your neighborhood store, pick up restaurant-quality food and essential household products at curbside, or have your comfort food cravings delivered, we can provide you with the fast, safe and healthy shopping environment you seek,"

Driving new electricity into a legacy brand with a partnership is a good move and will accelerate the marketing messaging for all companies involved according to Johnson. How is your company positioning to grow your brand, the top, and bottom line?

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply chain and includes such things as fresh foods, online ordering, delivery, plant based foods, sampling, toy’s, cereal, developing brands,  grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All food and beverage retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food and beverages that are portable, fresh, with differentiation that is familiar not different.  Does your retail path forward look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Why?

Are you looking for a new partnership to drive sales? Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing tactics look more like yesterday that tomorrow?  Visit GrocerantGuru.com for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may have the clue you need to propel your continued success.

QuickChek Renews Focus on Fresh Foods to Go

Grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food continues to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profits in every sector of retail foodservice today according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® and Nielsen IRI. offers the company’s innovative 'Fresh to Go' design with more than 50% of the store dedicated to providing freshly prepared food and market items.

QuickChek can now be a one-stop shopping experience for fresh food, meal solutions, fuel and essential household products. “Our goal is to make a difference in people’s everyday lives and make your life easier with the fresh products, services, and household items you want, whether it’s a freshly-prepared sub, our guaranteed fresh-brewed coffee, paper goods or fuel, and get you on your way fast,” said QuickChek CEO Dean Durling. The refocused store design and innovation features include:

·         Sleek open concept layout features well-spaced stand-alone food displays with consumer-friendly expansive wide aisles

·         Extensive displays of freshly-made QuickChek grab-and-go food and market items

·         New streamlined signature menu featuring delicious restaurant-quality 6-inch subs and 12-inch premium original recipe sub sandwiches, made with the finest ingredients and providing more value

·         A wide selection of healthy baked snacks and salads

·         Self-checkout counters, mobile ordering and curbside pickup provide a safe and healthy shopping experience

Empowering consumer to create personalized, customized meals for one or the entire family fast. While enabling consumers to create delicious made-to-order breakfast items, or fresh QuickChek subs, sandwiches, wraps and salads.  In addition, customers can personalize hot and cold beverages exactly as they want them, or select freshly prepared ready-to-go items, any time of day or night as people’s schedules continue to change. That’s empowering fresh food fast.

Technology helps edify customer relevance and QuickChek has included; self-checkout counters (an industry first), an expanding mobile ordering menu through the QuickChek mobile app, a new curbside pickup option, and coming soon, DoorDash delivery, all further meet the needs of today’s shopper. Consumers are dynamic not static.  Are you looking a customer ahead?

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideations look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions® can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization?  Email us at: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us