7 Eleven Super Bowl Sunday Super Customer Focused

 

This is Food‑Fact‑Filled, Data‑Driven Look at How the World’s Largest Convenience Retailer Wins Big With Consumers by Steven Johnson’s the Grocerant Guru’s team at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®

Super Bowl Sunday and National Pizza Day sit back‑to‑back on the calendar, and 7‑Eleven is treating both like the food‑centric cultural holidays they’ve become. With more than 13,000 stores across the U.S. and Canada, the retailer is leaning into two of America’s most snack‑driven occasions with a slate of value‑packed offers designed to meet consumers exactly where they are: hungry, busy, and ready to celebrate.

Food Deals Built for the Biggest Eating Day of the Year

Super Bowl Sunday is consistently one of the top five food consumption days in the United States. Americans eat an estimated:

·       12.5 million pizzas

·       1.4 billion chicken wings

·       325 million gallons of beer

·       48 million pounds of snacks

7‑Eleven’s limited‑time MVP deals are engineered to capture that demand with precision:

·       Buy one whole pizza, get a second for $3 for 7Rewards and Speedy Rewards members on Feb. 8–9.

·       $5 Meal Deal for solo fans: two pizza slices + a 20‑oz Coke, Sprite, Pepsi, or Mtn Dew.

·       20 tenders or 20 wings + five sauces for $20 at Raise the Roost.

·       10 bone‑in wings for $8 at participating 7‑Eleven, Speedway, and Stripes stores.

·       $10 off first‑time 7NOW Delivery orders of $20+ with code DELIVERY10.

·       $3 off large‑pack beers, both in‑store and via delivery.

These offers align with a broader industry trend: 70% of consumers say convenience stores are now a go‑to destination for ready‑to‑eat meals, and fresh prepared foods remain the fastest‑growing category in c‑store retail.

Holiday & Event Marketing: A 7‑Eleven Signature Strategy

7‑Eleven has long understood that food culture is event‑driven. The company consistently uses holidays, sports moments, and pop‑culture tie‑ins to drive traffic, loyalty, and digital engagement.

National Pizza Day & Super Bowl Sunday

By pairing these two food‑centric days, 7‑Eleven amplifies relevance and increases basket size. Pizza is already a top‑five c‑store food item, and bundling it with beverages and wings taps into America’s favorite game‑day trio.

Free Slurpee Day (7/11)

One of the most successful experiential promotions in retail.

·       Drives millions of store visits

·       Converts new loyalty members

·       Reinforces brand nostalgia and fun

Fuel Savings Events

7‑Eleven frequently ties fuel discounts to food purchases, rewarding cross‑category behavior and increasing trip frequency.

Seasonal LTOs

Pumpkin spice beverages, holiday bakery items, and summer Big Gulp specials keep the brand culturally relevant and top‑of‑mind.

Sports Partnerships & Global Events

The upcoming “Scan, Sip, Score” promotion tied to the world’s biggest soccer tournament is classic 7‑Eleven:

·       Buy a Coca‑Cola or POWERADE

·       Earn entries to win a trip to a July match

·       Unlock instant prizes like free Big Gulp and Slurpee drinks

This approach blends loyalty, gamification, and global sports culture—three proven engagement drivers.

Customer Focus: The Core of 7‑Eleven’s Growth

7‑Eleven’s strategy is rooted in understanding how Americans eat today:

·       63% of meals are consumed alone → $5 solo meal deals

·       Multigenerational households drive mix‑and‑match purchasing → wings, tenders, pizzas, sauces

·       Digital ordering is up 30% year‑over‑year → 7NOW Delivery incentives

·       Value remains the #1 driver of foodservice decisions → aggressive bundle pricing

The retailer’s ability to meet these needs—fast, affordably, and with flavor—keeps it ahead of the convenience foodservice curve.

Three Positive Insights from the Grocerant Guru®

1. 7‑Eleven Understands the Power of Food as a Social Connector

By aligning promotions with cultural moments like the Super Bowl, National Pizza Day, and global soccer events, 7‑Eleven positions itself as the easiest way for consumers to participate in shared food rituals.

2. Bundled Value Drives Incremental Meal Participation

The retailer’s mix‑and‑match offers reflect the modern consumer’s desire for flexible, affordable meal solutions—an essential strategy in today’s Ready‑2‑Eat and Heat‑N‑Eat marketplace.

3. Loyalty + Digital + Foodservice = A Winning Formula

7‑Eleven’s integration of rewards, delivery, and gamified promotions demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of how to build habitual, high‑frequency customer engagement.

If you want, I can also turn this into a LinkedIn article, press release, or slide‑ready executive brief.

Elevate Your Brand with Expert Insights

For corporate presentations, regional chain strategies, educational forums, or keynote speaking, Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, delivers actionable insights that fuel success.

With deep experience in restaurant operations, brand positioning, and strategic consulting, Steven provides valuable takeaways that inspire and drive results.

💡 Visit GrocerantGuru.com or FoodserviceSolutions.US
📞 Call 1-253-759-7869

Are You Growing 

Share of Stomach

Dinner Meal Kits Can Elevate Family Meal Time

 

Meal kits have evolved far beyond novelty: they now offer a genuine framework for shared culinary experiences, tapping into consumers’ desire for both convenience and connection. From the moment a household selects a kit, the involvement begins — and that sense of participation is a powerful differentiator.

As Steven Johnson of Foodservice Solutions® / Grocerant Guru® put it, “Meal kits are training wheels for both Gen Z and Millennials.” But nowadays, they also serve as platforms for couples and families to bond, explore new cuisines, and rediscover the joy of cooking together.

 

Recent Growth & Market Dynamics

Market Size & Growth Projections

·       The global meal-kit market was estimated at USD 18.1 billion in 2024, and is forecast to grow at a CAGR exceeding 12.4% through 2034.

·       Some forecasts are more aggressive: e.g. the global meal-kit delivery market is projected to reach USD 67.4 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of ~14.5% from 2024 onward.

·       Others project that the market will grow from US$ 20.6 billion in 2025 to US$ 50.3 billion by 2032, reflecting a CAGR of ~13.6%.

·       In the U.S. alone, the meal-kit delivery services market is forecast to grow from ~$10.4 billion in 2023 to ~$23.7 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 12.5%.

These projections underscore that meal kits are no longer a niche; they’re a significant and growing slice of the food ecosystem.

Drivers of Adoption

·       Convenience & time savings remain core value propositions, especially for dual-income households and busy professionals.

·       Customization & diet alignment are strong pulls: consumers seek options like keto, plant-based, gluten-free, or globally inspired cuisines.

·       Sustainability, circular packaging, and minimal waste are increasingly important differentiators. Some brands report that customers generate ~24% less food waste when using kits vs. traditional shopping.

·       Omnichannel expansion & partnerships are fueling growth — meal-kit providers are collaborating with brick-and-mortar grocers, CPG brands, and even restaurant chains.

Still, it’s not all smooth sailing. Inflation, supply chain pressures, and rising logistics costs are squeezing margins. For example, HelloFresh recently reported that while its total revenue grew, its core meal-kit business saw declines, even as its ready-to-eat segment surged 56%.

 

From Selection to Table: How Meal Kits Power Engagement

1.       Pre-mealtime participation
Consumers now expect more control: selecting meals, customizing protein or sides, and scheduling deliveries. This sense of ownership primes engagement even before cooking begins.

2.       In-kitchen experience & social connection
Meal kits can transform meal prep into a collective activity: parents teach kids, couples collaborate, and families talk while chopping, stirring, or plating. That participatory dynamic is part of the emotional ROI of kits.

3.       Discovery & brand affinity
Because kits introduce new cuisines, ingredients, and recipe styles, they become platforms for culinary exploration. As consumers succeed and enjoy, loyalty to the kit brand often grows (and transfers to adjacent product lines).

4.       Upsell & extension opportunities
Once a customer is in the mindset of “meal kit,” they’re more receptive to add-ons: premium proteins, wine pairings (where allowed), gourmet sauces, and branded cookware or appliances.

 

Why Food Retailers & CPG Brands Should Care

·       Attract desirable consumers: Meal-kit buyers tend to skew younger, more affluent, and digitally engaged — a valuable segment for upsell and cross-sell. (Historically, kit purchasers were in households with incomes > $100,000, and ages 35–44 were especially strong adopters.)

·       Reinvigorate in-store formats: Combining subscription kits with in-store pickup or shelf-ready “kit packs” enables retailers to recapture sales that might otherwise go to pure-play digital kit providers.

·       Build relevance through innovation: Johnson’s notion of “new electricity” — combining product innovation with new distribution — still holds. Emerging technologies (autonomous delivery, smart packaging, cashier-less retail) paired with fresh-food messaging and value-add formats can power brand differentiation.

·       Bridge to new revenue streams: Meal kits can be springboards to subscription models, value-added prepared meals, chef-curated collections, co-branded offerings, or white-label kits for retailers.

To stay competitive, retailers and brands must simultaneously lean into digital tools (AI, personalization, predictive analytics) and maintain excellence in fresh, portable, differentiated food solutions.

 

Think About This

·       Profit pressure & unit economics: Margins remain tight, especially after factoring in logistics, fulfillment, and returns.

·       Retention vs. acquisition: Many kit players are shifting emphasis toward customer retention and lifetime value rather than just adding new customers.

·       Channel cannibalization: In-store kits may draw sales from prepared foods or deli lines; balancing cannibalization against incremental margins is key.

·       Consumer fatigue: Some households may tire of kits over time — kit providers must continuously refresh menus, flavors, or formats to retain interest.

 

If your brand is seeking new electricity to propel growth, meal kits remain one of the most promising platforms for marrying innovation, consumer engagement, and omni-channel distribution.

Let’s Build a Partnership for Growth

Looking for the right partner to drive sales and amplify your marketing impact? Success leaves clues—and we may have the exact insight you need to propel your business forward.

Explore innovative food marketing and business development strategies with Foodservice Solutions®.

Contact us at Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
Learn more at GrocerantGuru.com

Easter is Here Americans Celebrate with Travel, Food, Family – and Lots of Chocolate

 

Easter 2025 is shaping up to be a celebration packed with joy, tradition, and a surprising amount of chocolate according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. While economic uncertainty still lingers, Americans are showing no signs of cutting back on Easter cheer. In fact, spending is up this year – and so is the spirit of togetherness.

Billions Spent, Millions Celebrating

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics, Americans are expected to spend a whopping $23.6 billion on Easter-related items this year. That’s up from $22.4 billion last year and inching closer to the 2023 record of $24 billion.

From coast to coast, people are gearing up for Easter in a big way:

·       58% of consumers are planning to cook a holiday meal at home.

·       55% will be visiting friends and family, and

·       45% are set to attend church services.

·       Families with children? 54% are organizing Easter egg hunts at home.

It’s clear that, for many, Easter remains a cherished holiday built around faith, family, and tradition – and yes, some seriously sweet treats.

Eating In vs. Dining Out

This year, the majority of Easter celebrants are sticking with a home-cooked meal over dining out. With $7.4 billion projected to be spent on food, grocery carts across the country are being filled with ham, casseroles, hot cross buns, and, of course, desserts galore.

Still, some are opting to dine out or pick up takeout, often making it a chance to relax and enjoy the holiday without doing the dishes. Local restaurants and bakeries are jumping on board with Easter brunch specials and themed desserts.

The Sweet Side of Easter

Now let’s talk about the star of many Easter baskets: chocolate.

Americans are set to indulge in an estimated 73 million pounds of chocolate this Easter season, which translates to more than $2 billion in sales. That’s:

·       Over 1 billion chocolate eggs (1 oz each)

·       Nearly 400 million chocolate bunnies (3 oz each) — enough to stretch from NYC to LA more than 8 times

·       Enough for 146 million Easter baskets, each with half a pound of chocolate

According to Cargill, 8 in 10 consumers say holidays like Easter give them a perfect excuse to treat themselves, and milk chocolate remains the most loved type, favored by nearly half of all chocolate lovers.

New chocolate trends? Consumers are getting adventurous with sweet, salty, spicy, and even sour combinations, though classics like caramel and peanut butter still rule the Easter table.

Where Americans Are Shopping

Shoppers are hunting down the best deals at their favorite spots:

·       55% will hit up discount stores

·       44% will go to department stores

·       36% are shopping online

·       26% will support local small businesses

Interestingly, 63% say tradition inspires their Easter shopping, while 36% are chasing sales and promotions. And even among those who don’t celebrate Easter, 54% still plan to spend around $25.43 on seasonal goodies – just for the fun of it.

Final Bite

Whether you’re celebrating with a sunrise service, a backyard egg hunt, or just a generous helping of chocolate bunnies, Easter 2025 is a time to gather, give, and savor the sweetness of the season.

So go ahead – fill your basket, fire up the oven, and indulge in some holiday magic. Easter is here… and it’s hopping.

Elevate Your Brand with Expert Insights

For corporate presentations, regional chain strategies, educational forums, or keynote speaking, Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru®, delivers actionable insights that fuel success.

With deep experience in restaurant operations, brand positioning, and strategic consulting, Steven provides valuable takeaways that inspire and drive results.

💡 Visit GrocerantGuru.com or FoodserviceSolutions.US
📞 Call 1-253-759-7869