Consumer Channel Migration Elevates Disequilibrium A Grocerant Guru® Centric Perspective on Foodservice Channel Shifts

 

The grocery retail landscape is experiencing a tectonic shift, driven by an accelerating consumer migration from traditional grocery toward ready-to-eat, ready-to-heat, and freshly prepared foodservice options. This “grocerant” movement—a term coined by Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson at Tacoma WA based Foodservice Solutions®—captures the fusion of grocery and restaurant experiences. Once a marginal trend, the grocerant model is now a powerful force eroding the boundaries between where food is purchased and where it is consumed. It has propelled supermarkets, convenience stores (c-stores), and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) into an intense competition for the consumer’s mealtime dollar.

Historical Trends: From Scratch Cooking to Grocerant Innovation

1970s–1990s: Supermarket Supremacy
Home-cooked meals and weekly shopping dominated the cultural narrative. Supermarkets thrived on bulk purchases and planned meal prep. This was the golden era of CPG advertising and loyalty cards.

2000s–2010s: The Rise of Convenience Culture
A cultural shift toward time-starved, dual-income households pushed consumers toward fast food and grab-and-go convenience. C-stores and QSRs began to blur the line between snacks and meals. Microwaveable meals and value menus redefined affordability and access.

In a Battle for Share of Stomach

2020s: The Grocerant Era
Today, we’re in the full swing of consumer channel migration. QSRs and c-stores offer complete meal solutions with restaurant-quality appeal. According to Johnson, “Consumers no longer eat where they shop. They shop where they can eat.” Grocery stores, with legacy infrastructure built around ingredient sales, are now urgently pivoting to retain meal relevance.

Data Signals: Evidence of the Grocerant Disruption

·       QSR Revenue Surge: Quick-service restaurants posted an 8.3% year-over-year revenue gain in 2024, far outpacing the 2.5% growth seen by grocery stores.

·       Declining Supermarket Footfall: Between 2019 and 2023, traditional supermarket visits dropped by 6.7%, reflecting eroded relevance in daily meal occasions.

·       C-store Fresh Food Boom: C-stores report 12% annual growth in foodservice revenue, fueled by robust investments in hot food programs and proprietary coffee platforms.

·       Delivery Ecosystem Disruption: App-based ordering and ghost kitchens make meal solutions ubiquitous—displacing the need for planned grocery trips and meal prep.

Grocerant Disruptions: A Framework from the Grocerant Guru®

Steven Johnson emphasizes that legacy grocery formats are in disequilibrium due to structural, technological, and behavioral disruptions. Here are the most pressing:

1.       Rising Rent & Ops Costs: Traditional grocers are locked into inefficient square footage, draining margins.

2.       Labor Shortages: Deli and hot food counters remain underutilized due to staffing challenges.

3.       Time Starvation: Consumers are choosing speed over scratch.

4.       Inflation-Induced Behavior Shifts: Shoppers trade down to low-prep, low-waste meal solutions.

5.       Generational Meal Preferences: Millennials and Gen Z are “serial snackers” who crave flavor variety and digital convenience.

6.       Digital Grocery Erosion: Online grocery lacks sensory engagement, making impulse and fresh food sales suffer.

7.       Mobile Meals Reign: Restaurant meals can now be ordered in less time than it takes to plan a grocery list.

8.       Occasion Fragmentation: Breakfast, lunch, and late-night meals have migrated from the grocery aisle to the convenience checkout.

Grocerant Solutions: Strategies to Restore Relevance

According to Johnson, “The future of grocery isn’t grocery—it’s foodservice.” Here are actionable pathways for reclaiming consumer mealtime:

1.       Reformat Store Footprints: Redesign floorplans to emphasize grocerant zones—think seating, hot bars, and self-checkout at food counters.

2.       Leverage Labor Automation: Adopt robotics for repetitive tasks like sandwich making, coffee service, and salad bars.

3.       Double Down on Grab-and-Go: Offer chef-inspired meals, bento boxes, and ethnic street foods in compact, high-turn formats.

4.       Price to Compete: Promote bundled meal deals (entrée + side + drink) at price points that rival fast food.

5.       Generational Menu Engineering: Infuse flavor-forward, globally inspired dishes that resonate with Gen Z’s adventurous palate.

6.       Omnichannel Ordering: Enable mobile app pre-orders, subscription meal kits, and AI-driven suggestions based on consumption patterns.

7.       Last-Mile Partnerships: Collaborate with DoorDash, Uber Eats, or local players to bring grocery-prepared meals into the delivery mainstream.

8.       Brand as a Destination: Market the grocery store as a community food hub—not a pantry restocker.

Think About This: The New Battleground for the Mealtime Dollar

The retail food landscape is undergoing one of the most profound recalibrations in modern history. The consumer’s pivot toward frictionless, foodservice-forward experiences has unbalanced the traditional grocery model. As the Grocerant Guru® notes, “We are witnessing a fundamental rewiring of what it means to be a food retailer.”

Survival depends on grocers thinking like restaurateurs, technologists, and experience designers. Those that adapt quickly—embedding foodservice into their core identity—can win back the mealtime mindshare. Those that don’t risk being left behind in a world where the consumer now expects meals, not menus.

Success Leaves Clues—Are You Ready to Find Yours?

One key insight that continues to drive success is this: "The consumer is dynamic, not static." This principle is the foundation of our work at Foodservice Solutions®, where Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, has been helping brands stay relevant in an ever-evolving market.

Want to strengthen your brand’s connection with today’s consumers? Let’s talk. Call 253-759-7869 for more information.

Stay Ahead of the Competition with Fresh Ideas

Is your food marketing keeping up with tomorrow’s trends—or stuck in yesterday’s playbook? If you're ready for fresh ideations that set your brand apart, we’re here to help.

At Foodservice Solutions®, we specialize in consumer-driven retail food strategies that enhance convenience, differentiation, and individualization—key factors in driving growth.

👉 Email us at Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
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Grocerant Niche Mix & Match Meal Components: Sweet, Salty, and Smarter Than Ever

 

If you’re on a diet this week, you might want to look away.
For the rest of you—operators in the restaurant, grocery, convenience, or bodega sectors—it’s time to lean into what’s really driving consumer choice: indulgence. According to updated data from Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, 86.4% of consumers now request a sweet or salty item as part of at least one daily meal or snack occasion, up from 83.7% just two years ago.

This increase isn't just a craving—it's a signal.

At the intersection of inflation-resistant indulgence and evolving consumer behavior, grocerant niche strategies—particularly mix & match meal bundling—are reshaping how retailers and manufacturers approach product placement, digital engagement, and customer satisfaction.

 

Trends Driving 2025 Innovation

The 2025 Sweets & Snacks Expo (SSE), held for the first time in Indianapolis, set a new benchmark for innovation. With more than 17,000 attendees and 275 new exhibitors, the expo captured emerging consumer desires powered by AI personalization, immersive digital experiences, and hyper-functional flavors.

Some of the top 2025 trends building upon previous years include:

·       AI-Assisted Personalization: Retailers are using machine learning to analyze purchasing patterns and push snack combos tailored to time-of-day and mood.

·       Flavor Functionality: Consumers now expect snacks to “do more”—like turmeric-chili popcorn for anti-inflammatory benefits or magnesium-rich dark chocolate bites for stress reduction.

·       Immersive Social Snacking: AR-enhanced packaging, like QR codes unlocking snack-themed mini-games or recipe hacks, are driving impulse buys and social shares.

 

Success Snapshots from 2025

Let’s look at how real brands and retailers leveraged these insights for measurable success:

1. Wawa's 'SnackStack' Stations
In 2025, Wawa launched modular SnackStack stations combining sweet, salty, and functional items—e.g., protein puffs, chocolate-covered chickpeas, and probiotic soda—bundled based on AI-driven morning/afternoon/evening trends. Results? A 21% year-over-year increase in same-store snack sales.

2. Albertsons x TikTok Creators
Albertsons piloted an in-store "Taste Trend Lab" in select cities, featuring limited-edition sweets and salty mashups co-developed with TikTok influencers. With in-store digital displays showcasing how to “build your bundle,” they saw a 47% increase in cross-category purchases, especially among Gen Z.

3. Buc-ee’s Sweet & Heat Line
Texas-based Buc-ee’s debuted a new Sweet & Heat jerky and caramel popcorn duo line—tapping into the sweet-salty-spicy trend—and supported it with a loyalty-app exclusive. The campaign drove 1.3 million redemptions in the first 60 days, increasing app engagement by 34%.

 

Grocerant Guru®: 2025 Market Insight

The grocerant niche continues to surge, not because it’s trendy, but because it’s grounded in evolving consumer behavior.

“Mix & match meal components that include sweet and salty flavors aren't just indulgences—they’re strategic triggers for incremental sales,” says Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru®.

The key to success in 2025 is blending convenience, personalization, and sensory variety. According to Foodservice Solutions®’ latest research, retailers who optimize for mix-and-match bundling with sensory contrast (sweet, salty, spicy, sour) see an average basket lift of 17.2%.

What’s more, value perception remains strong in the category. Despite economic headwinds, snacks and sweets are increasingly viewed as micro-rewards—a little luxury worth indulging in.

 

A Show of Innovation

This year's Most Innovative New Product Awards at SSE spotlighted industry pioneers pushing the flavor and function boundaries. Among them:

·       Best in Show: SnackFlow — Electrolyte-Infused Sweet & Spicy Mango Jerky Bites

·       Small Brand Standout: BetterBean Crunch — Probiotic Sea Salt Chocolate Crisps

·       Tech-Enhanced Treat: HoloSnax — AR-enabled Gummy Packs with Story Quests for Kids

As John Downs, President & CEO of the NCA, noted:

“Innovation is the heartbeat of this industry. Every new product, mashup, and digital touchpoint strengthens the shopper experience.”

 

Looking Ahead

With the Sweets & Snacks Expo now alternating between Indianapolis and Las Vegas, the broader industry—including restaurant and grocery leaders—should consider how geographic diversity fuels trend evolution. Just as the expo rotates, so too must your flavor lineup, packaging formats, and digital engagement strategies.

Success in the grocerant niche isn’t about guessing what’s next—it’s about seeing what’s working now and scaling it smartly.

Foodservice Solutions® is here to help. Whether you're a national chain or a local favorite, aligning with the grocerant mix & match model could be your most profitable move yet.

📩 Want to become a sweet & salty success story?
Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
🌐 Visit: GrocerantGuru.com

Success leaves clues—let us help you follow the trail.

Alcohol-less Drinks Add Value to the Menu

 

It turns out that Gen Z and Millennials may not be so different from their parents after all—at least when it comes to flavor preferences. Today’s food and beverage trends are embracing nostalgia with open arms. From Sunny D-inspired spritzers to Lucky Charms garnishes, both alcohol-infused and alcohol-free beverages are tapping into the comfort of childhood with the sophistication of adulthood.

Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® wonders, what is the real twist in 2025? The growing dominance—and value—of alcohol-free drinks. Whether in fast food, full-service restaurants, or grocery store delis, alcohol-less drinks are becoming a customer magnet and a profit center. And in the grocerant world—where Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat reign—these beverages are mix-and-match menu magic.

Food Facts & Marketing Data Points

·       12.5% year-over-year growth in alcohol-free beverage sales in Q1 2025 (Beverage Marketing Corporation).

·       71% of Gen Z consumers say they are interested in fun, flavorful alcohol-free beverages when dining out or ordering in (Technomic 2025).

·       Alcohol-free drinks generate 25% higher margins than traditional fountain sodas, especially when branded or bundled in signature offerings (NPD Group, 2024).

·       Alcohol-free wine and spirit sales are projected to reach $4.3 billion globally by end of 2025 (IWSR Drinks Market Analysis).

5 Restaurant & Fast-Food Use Cases: Driving Value with Alcohol-less Beverages

1.       Starbucks Reserve®: Cocktail-Style Mocktails

o   Starbucks locations in select cities now offer “Evening Mocktails,” using cold brew, orange zest, lavender, and foamed oat milk in glassware that mirrors cocktail service.

o   Result: Average check boost of 18% on orders featuring mocktails and a strong social media response.

2.       Taco Bell Cantina: Frozen Fusion Fun

o   Taco Bell Cantina outlets now allow customers to choose from a rotating selection of alcohol-free frozen beverages inspired by margaritas and piña coladas, garnished with chili lime or candy dust.

o   Grocerant Magic: These drinks drive both dine-in buzz and takeout customization with flavor add-ons.

3.       Sweetgreen: Wellness Waters & Spritzers

o   Sweetgreen bundles alcohol-free kombucha and sparkling botanical waters with salad bowls and warm bowls as part of their "Clean Eating Pairings" program.

o   Impact: Helps boost bundle purchases and elevate brand perception among wellness-focused customers.

4.       Shake Shack: Seasonal Lemonade Lab

o   Shake Shack rotates limited-time lemonade flavors like blackberry basil or vanilla peach, served in branded takeaway bottles.

o   Fast-Food Value: Brings craft-beverage energy into fast food without the complexities of alcohol handling.

5.       Panera Bread: Charged-Up & Alcohol-Free

o   Panera’s Charged Lemonades—with caffeine and fruit-forward flavors—target young consumers looking for energy without alcohol or synthetic additives.

o   Bundling Tip: Often featured in discounted lunch pairings to boost meal satisfaction and upsell rates.

5 Grocery Deli Use Cases: Bringing Take-Home Beverage Innovation

1.       Whole Foods Market: Mocktail Meal Kits

o   Bundles like “Tropical Tofu & Tonic” pair deli-prepared Caribbean tofu bowls with a take-home mocktail mix using hibiscus and mint.

o   Result: Shoppers are spending more time (and money) in the deli area as mix-and-match meal customization grows.

2.       Kroger Fresh Kitchen: Nonalcoholic Sangria Bottles

o   Ready-made fruit sangrias, made with zero-proof wine and fresh fruit, are sold adjacent to rotisserie chicken and pre-made tapas trays.

o   Insight: Placement and pairing drive impulse buys and elevate weeknight take-home meals.

3.       Publix Aprons: Mocktail & Charcuterie Pairings

o   In-store demos feature alcohol-free sparkling juice blends and “perfect pairings” with specialty cheeses and cured meats from the deli.

o   Cross-Promotion Bonus: Encourages new product trial while reinforcing the store’s premium entertaining options.

4.       H-E-B Meal Simple: Global Flavors, Zero ABV

o   Global meal kits—like Indian Butter Chicken or Korean Bulgogi—are paired with matching nonalcoholic drinks (e.g., mango lassi or ginger-lime sparkling tea).

o   Consumer Engagement: Encourages culinary exploration without alcohol, supporting family dining and cultural experiences.

5.       Wegmans: Cold Case Craft Sips

o   Alcohol-free canned mocktails, artisanal sodas, and functional beverages are now stocked in the deli cold case next to sandwiches and sushi trays.

o   Data Point: Wegmans reports a 22% increase in per-trip spending for customers who purchase from both the deli and cold beverage sections.

The Grocerant Guru® Perspective

It’s not just about removing alcohol—it’s about replacing it with joy, flavor, and familiarity. When alcohol-free drinks evoke childhood nostalgia while offering modern sophistication, they resonate across age groups and dayparts. And when bundled with meal solutions—whether in fast food, grocery, or grocerants—they drive top-line sales and bottom-line profits.

Operators who create flexible, mix-and-match menus with flavorful alcohol-free drinks aren't just catering to a trend—they're crafting a future-proof brand.

Want help building your alcohol-less mix-and-match strategy?
Visit www.GrocerantGuru.com or email Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us.

Success does leave clues—and the beverage aisle just might hold your next big win.