Nothing Says Local Better than a Hometown Partnership

If success leaves clues and it does.  Regional chain restaurants would do well paying attention to Lion’s Choice for success clues according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Lion’s Choice new partnership is driving new electricity in to both brands.

Why? Well recently Lion’s Choice announced the launch of a collaborative streetwear collection with St. Louis’ popular clothing company, Arch Apparel. The collection features fashionable clothing and accessories, inspired by St. Louis’ iconic restaurant, Lion’s Choice, known for its famous roast beef sandwiches, crave-worthy fries, and frozen custard. Arch Apparel worked with Lion’s Choice brand assets to create a line for the whole pack, including a variety of men and women’s tees, outerwear, baby onesies, hats, accessories, and more. Shop the Pride of St. Louis Lion’s Choice X Arch Apparel Collection online now.

President and CEO, Michael Kupstas says: “Lion’s Choice is proud to be a St. Louis-based company for more than 50 years. With more than 30 locations in Missouri, it was paramount to collaborate with partners that share our values and ‘pride of St. Louis.’ Arch Apparel diligently promotes all things wonderful about this city, and many of their shoppers grew up eating Lion’s Choice so we’re thrilled to unveil the affordable streetwear collection.”

Aaron Park, Owner of Arch Apparel stated “Lion’s Choice is our neighbor just a few doors down on Hanley Road, and we are huge fans. We look to collaborate with brands that have an iconic connection to St. Louis, and Lion’s Choice definitely has that. We really think St. Louis is really going to love this,”  

Founded in 1967, Lion’s Choice has become an iconic St. Louis restaurant brand. Now with almost 30 locations, Lion’s Choice is known for its famous roast beef sandwiches, crave-worthy fries and frozen custard is driving positive brand value with its new partnership.

How are you driving brand value? How are you driving new electricity? So, is your brand looking a customer ahead?  Are you looking to grow business like you did yesterday or do you want tomorrow customers? Just where is your brand headed? Are you building a larger share of stomach or a larger share of Top of Mind or both?

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, 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? Why?

Looking for success clues of your own? Foodservice Solutions® specializes in outsourced food marketing and business development ideations. We can help you identify, quantify and qualify additional food retail segment opportunities, technology, or a new menu product segment.  Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma WA is the global leader in the Grocerant niche visit Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, www.Linkedin.com/in/grocerant/  or www.twitter.com/grocerant

Beef on Wheels Lion’s Choice Launches Food Truck

There is a reason some companies have been around a long time.  In the case of Lion’s Choice, the St. Louis-based quick-service restaurant chain the reasons are very clear they evolve with consumers according to Tacoma, WA, based Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, Steven Johnson.

Mike Kupstas, CEO of Lion’s Choice stated “For 50 years our loyal customers have been coming to us, and now we’re hitting the road to come to them,”… “Creating the ‘Lean Roast Beef Machine’ is something our customers have been asking for, and we’re excited to bring our friendly service, legendary roast beef, fries and signature soft-serve custard to locations all over St. Louis.”

The first food truck for Lion’s Choice is called “The Lean Roast Beef Machine”.  It is a 29-foot, custom-built truck has taken to the streets, serving the chain’s famous roast beef sandwiches, natural-cut fries and flavor burst custard at locations throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area.

New truck new sandwich called ‘The Butcher Block sandwich’ which combines Lion’s Choice’s famous roast beef, hickory smoked ham and oven roasted turkey stacked high on a brioche bun with Swiss cheese, honey horseradish sauce and romaine lettuce.

Kupstas continued “While we are best known for our roast beef sandwiches, customers also have come to love our ham and turkey sandwiches….The Butcher Block is a great way to experience all three of our quality meats with one satisfying sandwich. It’s the perfect solution for those customers who can’t decide which sandwich to choose, and the honey horseradish provides a perfect little kick.”

Consumers are dynamic not static are you evolving with your customers? 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