Cumberland Farms Food Focus is ‘Farmhouse Fresh To Go’

 

Cumberland Farms like so many other convenience stores continue to expand its grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food options.  That evolution is occurring at the intersection of fresh food and technology and will prove to be a driver of incremental success according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

When Cumberland Farms opened its new location at in Middlebury, Conn., in late September it was like opening a new page in a book according to Johnson. The new store features the company’s innovative design, equipment and menu — all of which were created to expand the food choices and enhance the guest experience.

Larger than many other c-stores, spanning more than 4,400 square feet, they have eight gas fueling stations across four islands, 32 parking spots and the convenience of curbside pickup/order-ahead capabilities for pizza with the SmartPay Rewards app and are set to drive top line sales and bottom-line profits at scale with this new location.

With an extensive expanded variety of food and beverage items, the new Cumberland Farms l features its Farmhouse Fresh To Go concept, which includes a wide selection of breakfast and lunch sandwiches made daily in its own kitchen. In addition, Cumberland Farms Farmhouse line of baked goods, ice cream and snacks are available.

George Fournier, president of EG America, stated, “We’re excited to expand our presence in New Haven County with the opening of our new Middlebury store,” … “Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy our brand-new store, an expansive array of food and beverage options, and the friendly service we are known for.”

In case you did not know, Cumberland Farms has grown into a network of nearly 600 convenience stores across eight states. Today, Cumberland Farms continues to reflect the values it was built upon: providing fast, friendly service to customers by providing the best possible products at affordable prices.

Don’t over reach. 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 or visit us on our social media sites by clicking the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

Partnerships Drive Regional Success at Ledo Pizza

Regional restaurants just might be able to drive success better than national chains when it comes to creating unique local partnerships according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Based in Maryland, Ledo Pizza understand the flavor profile that their consumers like and Old Bay is top of mind. So, Ledo Pizza developed a platform to elevate local flavors forming a partnership with Old Bay to drive new electricity into the brand and local relevance into Old Bay.   

Ledo Pizza’s culinary team has crafted four new menu items that showcase the zesty kick of heat that has quickly won over the hearts (and mouths) of OLD BAY fans.

1.       OLD BAY Hot Sauce Jumbo Wings – Ledo Pizza's award-winning Jumbo Wings smothered in OLD BAY Hot Sauce. Served with celery and your choice of Blue Cheese or Ranch Dipping sauces. Available in quantities of 6, 12, 18, 25 or 50.

2.       The Marylander Salad – Boneless Wings tossed in OLD BAY Hot Sauce served atop crisp greens, grape tomatoes, smoked Provolone, pre-cooked bacon and red onions.

3.       OLD BAY Hot Chicken Pizza – Ledo Pizza's signature sauce combined with OLD BAY Hot Sauce topped with Smoked Provolone cheese and grilled chicken.

4.       The Chesapeake Sub – Crispy chicken smothered with OLD BAY Hot Sauce served on a toasted sub roll with OLD BAY hot mayo and sliced pickles.

Ledo Pizza president Jamie Beall stated “We are proud of our Maryland roots, just like our friends at OLD BAY,” “OLD BAY is the seasoning of Maryland and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have access to its limited edition OLD BAY Hot Sauce. It’s not every day that you see two iconic brands team up to create one-of-a-kind menu offerings. Combine the delicious, fresh taste of Ledo Pizza’s dishes with OLD BAY’s distinctive Chesapeake flavor and the result is nothing short of perfection.” Innovation drives new electricity.  

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, beer, developing brands, unique urban clothing, 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?  

Interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions 5P’s of Food Marketing 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.

Zoës Kitchen Lite Meals & Snack Boxes

Small meals, lite meals, fresh food, fast food Zoës Kitchen, a fast-casual Mediterranean restaurant understands the importance consumers place on grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared food that has the halo of ‘better-for-you’ according to Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson.

This month Zoës Kitchen introduced a new line of Snack Boxes, new Quinoa Salad, along with a “Zoës for a Year” Facebook giveaway, along with an email and social media campaign providing tips and inspiration for Living Mediterranean. The new line of lite meals and snack boxes all have the ‘hallo’ of ‘better-for-you’ built into them.

Zoës Kitchen is a leader in Mediterranean cuisine, Zoës Kitchen is committed to elevating awareness and benefits of the region’s approach to nutrition and living by offering fresh, better-for-you dining options inspired by the countries and flavors of the Mediterranean. Here is part of the new line:

1.       Modern Mediterranean Snack Box: (Gluten free) grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, original hummus, cucumbers and tomatoes. A post-workout refuel option that’s high in protein with 36 grams.

2.       Hummus Duo & Veggies Snack Box: (Gluten free) original hummus, pesto hummus, cucumbers and tomatoes. A tasty vegetarian option that is only 390 calories and makes a great afternoon snack.

3.       Balanced Bites Snack Box: grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella, pasta salad and mixed fruit. Great for kids on-the-go!

4.       Zoës NEW Quinoa Salad incorporates quinoa mixed with carrots, cabbage, green onion, red peppers, tomatoes, and celery, sprinkled with feta and tossed with a  zesty lemon vinaigrette.

Kevin Miles, CEO and president at Zoës Kitchen  stated “There is a growing demand for convenient snacking options that satisfy hunger as well as nutritional needs,” … “Whether it’s an afternoon snack at the office or a quick bite between school and soccer practice, snack boxes in addition to our Fresh-Take Tubs, are wholesome, fresh, on-the-go solutions that are perfect for our guests’ busy lifestyles.”

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

Foodservice, Foodies, Flavor, Falafels, Technology = Success

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson stated “foodies love full flavored food and when Manoun’s Falafel integrated Sous-Vide Millennials foodies took notice”.  Success does leave clues and as regular readers of this blog know Sous-Vide plays and important role in driving grocerant niche success around the world. 

Johnson continued saying companies the ilk of Amazon that cater to Millennials have even stocked their “TreasureTruck” with a foodie favorite the Anova Culinary  Sous Vide Precision Cooker for the home cook.

In case you did not know Mamoun’s Falafel is the oldest and largest Middle Eastern fast casual restaurant in North America, announced its new partnership with Cuisine Solutions, a worldwide leader in the sous-vide cooking method. This new partnership with Cuisine Solutions allows Mamoun’s standout menu items to be reproduced consistently across all restaurant locations throughout the country. 

Hussam Chater CEO of Mamoun’s Falafel stated “Integrating sous-vide was a strategic move for us,”... “We wanted to guarantee that our franchisees and customers would have the same recipes and flavors at any Mamoun’s location across the country.”

Chater  speaking about sous-vide and Cuisine Solutions, “ we have been able to preserve the traditional, proprietary recipes that have made our brand successful over the past 46 years, while at the same time, improving the consistency, stability, and flavor of our products.  

For those of you who are not regular readers I will repeat some background on sous-vide.  The sous-vide method was pioneered by Cuisine Solutions Chief Scientist Dr. Bruno Goussault in 1971 and has since grown into one of the most noteworthy innovations in the culinary industry. Sous-vide, French for “under-vacuum”, is a method of precision cooking in which food is vacuum-sealed and then submerged in a water bath at a constant low temperature. The process creates higher quality textures and flavors without compromising the food’s natural integrity.

Success does lave clues and these new sous-vide product will help Mamoun’s Falafel which opened in 1971 as one of New York City’s first falafel restaurants continue to grow, franchise, and maintain the highest quality flavor profiles consistently.  

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