Convenience retailer TXB Is an Evolving Grocerant Retailer

 

Most of you remember TXB was once Kwik Chek.  Well TXB is working to transition all of its (old) Kwik Chek sites to the TXB brand while actively fighting the “gas station food” stigma by focusing on Grocerant niche fresh, made-from-scratch Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat Grocerant niche food that elevates it well beyond traditional c-store roller grill food according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

TXB, now with more than 47 stores in Texas and Oklahoma, began its transition from the Kwik Chek brand mid-pandemic and is working to update each of its sites, while also building new state of the industry stores.

The goal is to set this company apart with its deep commitment to quality food, prepared fresh, full flavored and either Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat with a focus on local products.

TXB Vice President of Foodservice Operations Brandon Frampton spoke with CStore Decisions about the new brand and why foodservice is its “primary focus.” We wanted to share:

CStore Decisions (CSD): In what ways has TXB’s foodservice offer changed since converting from the Kwik Chek brand?

Brandon Frampton (BF): We have many excellent new food offerings, including our Texas Scorpion Bites made with spicy jalapeños, perfectly fried shrimp tacos and TXB Habanero Queso. While standout food offerings have always been a priority, with the TXB brand we are stepping it up from traditional c-store foods and focusing on fresh, made-from-scratch offerings that are restaurant-quality. For example, our steak strips are grilled fresh throughout the day, and we offer other fresh items like jumbo marinated tenders, blanched vegetables and our signature handmade salsa, to name a few.

We are even offering artisan products like fine chocolates, gourmet cheeses, salamis and wine. Our products and ingredients are locally sourced in Texas when possible, and all our foods are non-GMO. In terms of overall quality, I like to say Kwik Chek was 2.0, but TXB is 5.0.

CSD: What are today’s consumers looking for from convenience foodservice?

BF: These days, consumers are not only looking for convenience — they want quality, fresh ingredients in a clean, sanitary environment. That’s why TXB is installing hand-washing stations near the foodservice area for our guests in all of our new locations, allowing them to wash their hands before they shop without making a trip to the restroom, which works to decrease the spread of germs.

We see more consumers looking to c-stores for regular meals, not just snacks while on a road trip, and they’re not willing to sacrifice their fresh, healthy options they’re used to at home. We’ve all heard the negative expression “gas station food.” At TXB, we are actively fighting this stereotype by having foodservice as our primary focus.

We are constantly working to enhance the quality of our offerings for our guests, and that’s why we proudly offer a wide variety of healthy options, including take-home salad kits, veggies and fresh fruit, including blueberries, raspberries, grapes, oranges and many more. By not offering traditional gas station foods, we are catering to consumers’ wants. We also call our stores “markets” now to really drill the idea that we aren’t a typical gas station.

CSD: Which daypart is TXB’s busiest, and which holds the most growth potential?

BF: Breakfast has always been strong for the convenience channel, and (that) rings true for TXB. We will continue to grow breakfast at a solid clip but feel the growth potential around the lunch daypart will yield the most gains.

First, with our menu-consolidation strategy centering on combos and ‘two-fers,’ this allows us to grow guest-check while providing value to our guests. Second, our packaging and portability now allows our guests to comfortably eat in their car, home, job site or office. Our open-faced taco combo meals have become a favorite with our guests based on the great taste and the portability.

 

CSD: What are some must-have pieces or types of equipment to make c-store foodservice successful in your opinion, and why?

BF: Great question! We feel people make foodservice-buying decisions with their eyes. Therefore, the theater is a crucial piece of the experience, and we feel the food-line display case is the centerpiece. This is where we display our fresh fajitas, jumbo chicken tenders and scorpion bites.

Second, the proper flat-top grill is another must-have piece. This allows cooking conditions to be optimal, providing a quality product, all while in the line-of-sight of our guest — again, the theater.

Lastly, but certainly not least, always purchase quality refrigeration/freezer equipment. This equipment provides the safety component and holds very expensive product that will be lost with a catastrophic failure.

CSD: What’s ahead for TXB’s foodservice?

BF: We’re exploring mobile ordering and contactless payment as tools for improved foodservice. We are also looking into curbside, home delivery, ordering online and other forms of contactless payment, so guests can enjoy our fresh food offerings however they choose. We are excited to explore these payment options further, as it makes the guest’s experience easy and simple.

I believe the future looks bright for foodservice in the convenience field. I think companies are finally starting to take it seriously, and I cannot wait to see what the future brings!

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 us at: www.GrocerantGuru.com

Kwik Chek Meal Deals on the Menu

Cooking from scratch gets old particularly when you are forced to day after day and that is one of the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic that has created an opportunity for food retailers in every sector according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Kevin Smartt, CEO of convenience store chain Kwik Chek Corp., recently stated “The clouds are starting to lift, referring to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on business at the chain’s 46 stores in Texas and Oklahoma.” Smartt also knows that foodservice drive visit frequency and ticket / basket size.

Since very few have been going to work, Kwik Chek has been dealing with decreased trip counts and lower fuel gallons since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. “But inside sales have been pretty resilient,” Smartt told Convenience Store News in a recent interview. “Some of our stores are barely down at all in same-store sales.”

Smartt shared what consumers were buying in the interview, “The winners are beer — larger pack sizes are up tremendously — cigarettes and OTP [other tobacco products], ice cream, and staples, when we can get them,”

Kwik Chek recently launched Family Meal Deals, which Smartt said in the article are “starting to gain traction.” Family Meal Deals come in several different offerings, from chicken tenders to tacos, hamburgers, pizza, and more. Each deal costs less than $20 and serves a family of four and according to Johnson that is a very important price point to hit. Grocerant niche mix & match meal components are a hallmark of grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat success.

At Kwik Chek the Family Meal Deals, and similar Family Kwik Packs that are available in the cold grab-and-go case, are ideal for customers who want to pick up a quick meal, bring it home, and then heat and eat it. Kwik Chek intends to continue tweaking its family meal offerings, and most likely will keep them going after the current COVID-19 crisis, according to Smartt. After all prior to C-19 customer migration to Grocerant niche mix & match meal components was the key drive of growth within every sector of food retail according to Johnson.

Now that he can see a light at the end of the tunnel, Smartt conjectured that many of the activities adopting during the pandemic will have staying power including “Contactless payment will be vastly accelerated.” Kwik Chek is evolving with customer relevant touchpoints.  How are you evolving?

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.

Kwik Chek Foodservice Meal Deals to Drive Sales

Yet another convenience store is driving success with a focus on grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat meals and meal components mix & match options according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Johnson stated “Kwik Chek dipped into the chain restaurant marketing tool-kit and is using Limited Time Offers (LTO’s) to drive fresh food customer trial and adoption.”

It’s not just new menu items, special pricing, but incudes technology as Kwik Chek when customers use their kwikcard. The Kwik Chek’s updated kwikcard Rewards Program allows customers to earn points when they purchase fresh-made food from any Kwik Check location. Guests can earn four loyalty points with every food item purchased

Kevin Smartt, CEO of Spicewood, Texas-based Kwik Chek Food Stores  stated “Our guests deserve delicious and affordable menu options, which is exactly why we created our value deals,” ….“Food quality is something we pride ourselves on, and we’re thrilled to introduce two brand new menu items that we’re sure guests will love. Even better, guests can earn points through the Kwik Chek app and redeem them for cents off gas at the pump. It’s a win-win!” So, what do you get? 

Here you go:

1.       NEW! Bandit Taco – two for $4 with kwikcard
Chorizo, fresh-cracked eggs and beans are smothered with cheese and topped with crispy bacon, all inside of a fresh-made tortilla.

2.       NEW! Seafood Plates – $6.99 with kwikcard
Perfect for Lent and/or Fish Friday, choose from a 10-piece shrimp, two-piece fish or two fish tacos, with your choice of two sides and a roll.

3.       El Jefe Taco – two for $4 with kwikcard
Fresh-made taco with generous portions of bacon, egg, cheese and extra bacon, all wrapped in a warm, handmade flour tortilla.

Grocerant niche fresh prepared food mix &match meal component bundling continues to drive top-line sales and bottom-line profits in every sector of foodservice today. Do you have a customer migration / menu adoption program in place?

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.