Whole Foods Evolving into Whole Foodservice

When you have leased more space than you can use for traditional grocery items what do you do?  Well in the case of Whole Foods as we all know they have been and continue absorb some of that space for grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food. 

The simple fact is customer like the portable fresh prepared food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The fresh prepared food section has become the home of many customer’s comfort foods, comfort meals, and family meal components. Whole Foods has made dinner complexity free. 

Given the rapid propensity of consumers to avoid cooking from scratch creating less demand for traditional grocery CPG products Whole Foods is developing a new in-store restaurant concept with a Brazilian theme.

THE prototype for a new in-store Brazillian fast-casual chain will be part of a supermarket Whole Foods intends to re-open in May in midtown Atlanta, the grocer confirmed last week.

The new in-store restaurant will be called Roast, “the concept will incorporate many of the innovations creeping into the fast-casual market, like bar service in the evenings. Customers can order cocktails as well as beer and wine, and a pool table will be part of the attraction” according to Whole Foods

The concept with be both consumer interactive and participatory as Roast “will  adopt a made-to-order service line a la Chipotle. Patrons specify what they want in their bowl-style meal, including the protein. The meats will be cooked churascaria-style aka fire-roasted.

The technology enabled concept will allow for both ordering at the counter or via self-service kiosks, seating will be provided for 48 dine-in customers and all food can be packed for takeout.

How are you evolving your brand?  Are you selling yesterday’s CPG products just like you did ten years ago?  Does your restaurant footprint reflect a menu of ten years ago or are you selling more than yesterday’s menu for today customers?   All foodservice retailers must evolve or fade away?  Are you’re year over year customer counts growing?  No?  The Grocerant Guru® can help.

Foodservice Solutions® team is here to help you drive top line sales and bottom line profits. Are you looking a customer ahead? Visit www.FoodserviceSolutions.us for more information or contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us Remember success does leave clues and we just may the clue you need to propel your continued success.