How Grocery Stores, C-Stores, and Restaurants Can Win the Holiday Meal War

 

The holiday feast season is more than tradition, it’s a high-stakes competition for share of stomach according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Grocery Stores, Convenience Stores (C-Stores), and Restaurants are all vying to be the go-to solution for hosts seeking ease, affordability, and quality. The battlefield? Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh prepared meals that ease the burden on the modern home cook.

Let’s break down how each combatant is positioned to win.

 

Grocery Stores: The Full-Table Strategists

Grocery stores are leveraging their scale and fresh-prepared infrastructure to offer complete meal bundles that rival restaurant quality at unbeatable prices.

·       Price Advantage: Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving basket feeds 10 for under $40, including turkey, sides, and dessert.

·       Ease of Prep: Grocerants (grocery + restaurant hybrids) offer carved turkey, chef-finished sides, and pre-plated desserts—ready to heat and serve.

·       Value Play: According to FMI, prepared food demand is rising, even in inflationary times. Grocers win by bundling main + sides + dessert + convenience into one seamless experience.

Winning Message: “We deliver your full holiday table—reheat in 20 minutes, no cleanup, no stress.”

 

Convenience Stores: The Agile Innovators

C-Stores are no longer just snack stops, they’re emerging as fast, flavorful, and affordable meal hubs.

·       Price Advantage: Many C-stores offer holiday meal deals for under $5/person, with options like hot sandwiches, sides, and desserts.

·       Ease of Prep: With grab-and-go trays, microwave-ready meals, and hot food counters, C-stores cater to last-minute shoppers and solo dinners.

·       Value Play: C-store foodservice is projected to grow 2.3% in 2025, outpacing other foodservice channels. Their strength lies in speed, accessibility, and portion flexibility.

Winning Message: “In and out in minutes—your holiday meal, hot and ready.”

 

Restaurants: The Experience Experts

Restaurants are turning the holiday rush into a premium service moment—offering chef-prepared bundles, delivery perks, and upscale presentations.

·       Price Advantage: Many chains now offer family-style bundles for under $50, including mains, sides, and dessert—often with delivery included.

·       Ease of Prep: No prep at all—just order, unwrap, and serve. Some even include reheating instructions and plating tips.

·       Value Play: With inflation driving caution, restaurants are repositioning convenience as value. According to Technomic, 63% of consumers say they’re willing to pay more for holiday meals that save time and effort.

Winning Message: “Restaurant-quality holiday meal—delivered to your door, no apron required.”

 

The Common Ground: Ready-2-Eat & Heat-N-Eat Wins

Across all channels, the rise of fresh prepared food is reshaping holiday expectations:

·       DoorDash reports a 90% spike in Thanksgiving Eve grocery orders, driven by last-minute convenience needs.

·       NielsenIQ shows +6.3% growth in ready-to-heat formats, especially rice, sides, and desserts.

·       Consumers are prioritizing time-saved over dollars-spent, making convenience the new premium.

 

Grocerant Guru® Insights: How Each Player Wins

1.       Bundle the Full Plate

o   Grocery: “Feed 10 for $40—main, sides, dessert.”

o   C-Store: “Hot meal for one or two—grab and go.”

o   Restaurant: “Chef-prepared bundle—no prep, no cleanup.”

2.       Promote Time-Saved as the New Value

o   Grocery: “Heat in 20 minutes, serve with pride.”

o   C-Store: “No prep, no wait—just heat and eat.”

o   Restaurant: “Delivered hot, plated beautifully.”

3.       Position Fresh Prepared as Premium

o   Grocery: “Chef-finished trays, restaurant-style packaging.”

o   C-Store: “Fresh flavors, global options, spicy twists.”

o   Restaurant: “Upscale experience, no kitchen stress.”

 

Think About This: Everyone Can Win

This holiday season, the battle for share of stomach isn’t zero-sum. Grocery stores, C-stores, and restaurants each bring unique strengths:

·       Grocery stores win on scale, bundling, and fresh-prepared variety.

·       C-stores win on speed, accessibility, and solo/small group convenience.

·       Restaurants win on experience, quality, and zero-prep luxury.

The real winner? The home cook—who now has more ways than ever to host with ease, save time, and serve up joy.

Stay Ahead of the Competition with Fresh Ideas

Is your food marketing keeping up with tomorrow’s trends—or stuck in yesterday’s playbook? If you're ready for fresh ideations that set your brand apart, we’re here to help.

At Foodservice Solutions®, we specialize in consumer-driven retail food strategies that enhance convenience, differentiation, and individualization—key factors in driving growth.

👉 Email us at Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us
👉 Connect with us on social media: Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter

The 7 Undercurrents Driving Grocerant Niche Adoption in 2025

 

The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, based in Tacoma, WA identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this growth and adoption based on over 11,370 Grocerant ScoreCards conducted to date.

1. Heightened Competition for Share of Stomach

The grocerant sector continues to expand as innovative companies challenge traditional foodservice outlets. Emerging players like Foxtrot Market, The Goods Mart, and Kitchen United Mix exemplify this trend, blending convenience and culinary excellence to capture modern consumers’ attention. Traditional grocers like Kroger have upped their game with more robust meal solution offerings, intensifying the battle for food dollars.

2. Enhanced Mix-and-Match Meal Bundling

Flexibility in meal choices remains a hallmark of the grocerant niche. Retailers and restaurants offering mix-and-match options empower customers to assemble their ideal meals. Leaders like H-E-B, Sheetz, and QuickChek are reimagining meal bundling with diverse, globally inspired components, aligning with evolving dietary preferences and expanding consumer appeal.

3. Customization and Personalization

Millennials and Gen Z demand tailored dining experiences. The ability to customize meals with dietary preferences, portion sizes, or specific ingredients drives loyalty and sales. Brands like Sweetgreen, Chipotle, and Tesco Finest Meal Deal enable this individualization, fostering deeper connections with their audiences by promoting choice and transparency.

4. Small Plates, Big Flavors, and Portability

Portability remains a key attribute in the grocerant segment, with on-the-go options growing exponentially. Popular formats include small plates with bold, authentic flavors. Leading chains and stores, from Trader Joe’s single-serve entrées to 7-Eleven’s bento box offerings, cater to a wide range of tastes while prioritizing convenience and quality.

5. Technology-Driven Solutions

In 2025, tech-enabled grocerants are offering streamlined pickup and delivery experiences. Smart refrigerators, app-based ordering systems, and AI-driven inventory management bolster operational efficiency while enhancing customer satisfaction. Companies like Amazon Fresh and Just Walk Out by Amazon demonstrate the integration of technology in reshaping the retail food landscape.

6. Health-Conscious and Ethical Choices

Today’s consumers are more informed and selective about what they eat. The growth of plant-based meals, sustainable packaging, and ethically sourced ingredients underpins many grocerant offerings. PLNT Burger and Imperfect Foods have built success on this premise, proving that sustainable can also be profitable.

7. Dynamic Pricing Strategies

Aldi’s ethos—"Poor people must save, rich people like to"—remains a guiding principle in pricing strategies. Promotions, tiered meal bundles, and subscription discounts attract a diverse customer base. Lidl and Dollar General successfully integrate these strategies to ensure relevance across socioeconomic segments.

3 Food Marketing Trends That Ensure Grocerant Growth Will Continue

1.       Hyper-Personalized Marketing: Grocerants leverage consumer data to curate hyper-targeted promotions and loyalty programs, tailoring offers to individual preferences. Retailers like Albertsons utilize advanced analytics to ensure relevancy and boost engagement.

2.       Content-Driven Brand Engagement: Cooking tutorials, recipes featuring bundled items, and influencer partnerships are driving consumer interaction and educating audiences about the versatility of grocerant offerings. Whole Foods Market leads the charge with innovative digital content.

3.       Local Sourcing Partnerships: By emphasizing local and regional partnerships, grocerants strengthen brand trust and resonate with community values. Retailers such as Hy-Vee and Ralphs increasingly highlight farm-to-table partnerships to align with consumer priorities.

Understanding these undercurrents and trends is essential for brands aiming to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond. Grocerants that integrate customer relevance and continuous innovation will solidify their position as dominant players in the foodservice sector.

The 7 Undercurrents Driving Grocerant Niche Adoption in 2025

The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this growth and adoption based on over 10,000 Grocerant ScoreCards conducted to date.

1. Heightened Competition for Share of Stomach

The grocerant sector continues to expand as innovative companies challenge traditional foodservice outlets. Emerging players like Foxtrot Market, The Goods Mart, and Kitchen United Mix exemplify this trend, blending convenience and culinary excellence to capture modern consumers’ attention. Traditional grocers like Kroger and Publix Aprons Meals have upped their game with more robust meal solution offerings. Convenience stores such as Circle K, RaceTrac, and Casey’s General Stores are also investing heavily in high-quality, freshly prepared meal options, intensifying the battle for food dollars.

2. Enhanced Mix-and-Match Meal Bundling

Flexibility in meal choices remains a hallmark of the grocerant niche. Retailers and restaurants offering mix-and-match options empower customers to assemble their ideal meals. Leaders like H-E-B, Sheetz, and QuickChek are reimagining meal bundling with diverse, globally inspired components. Restaurants such as Panera Bread, Cava, and Essen Slow Food Fast are enhancing bundling concepts by integrating sides, entrées, and beverages tailored to evolving dietary preferences.

3. Customization and Personalization

Millennials and Gen Z demand tailored dining experiences. The ability to customize meals with dietary preferences, portion sizes, or specific ingredients drives loyalty and sales. Brands like Sweetgreen, Chipotle, and Tesco Finest Meal Deal enable this individualization, fostering deeper connections with their audiences by promoting choice and transparency. Convenience stores like Wawa, GetGo, and Rutter’s have added customizable sandwiches, salads, and coffee options to meet this demand.

4. Small Plates, Big Flavors, and Portability

Portability remains a key attribute in the grocerant segment, with on-the-go options growing exponentially. Popular formats include small plates with bold, authentic flavors. Leading chains and stores, from Trader Joe’s single-serve entrées to 7-Eleven’s bento box offerings, cater to a wide range of tastes while prioritizing convenience and quality. Restaurants like Panda Express, Zoës Kitchen, and Taco Bell Cantina have capitalized on bold, portable options for busy diners.

5. Technology-Driven Solutions

In 2025, tech-enabled grocerants are offering streamlined pickup and delivery experiences. Smart refrigerators, app-based ordering systems, and AI-driven inventory management bolster operational efficiency while enhancing customer satisfaction. Companies like Amazon Fresh and Just Walk Out by Amazon demonstrate the integration of technology in reshaping the retail food landscape. Restaurants such as Domino’s and Wingstop are leveraging advanced order tracking and AI-powered loyalty programs to keep customers engaged.

6. Health-Conscious and Ethical Choices

Today’s consumers are more informed and selective about what they eat. The growth of plant-based meals, sustainable packaging, and ethically sourced ingredients underpins many grocerant offerings. PLNT Burger, Imperfect Foods, and Beyond Sushi have built success on this premise, proving that sustainable can also be profitable. Convenience stores like Kwik Trip and Love’s Travel Stops now feature healthier snack options and vegan-friendly meals to capture this growing segment.

7. Dynamic Pricing Strategies

Aldi’s ethos—"Poor people must save, rich people like to"—remains a guiding principle in pricing strategies. Promotions, tiered meal bundles, and subscription discounts attract a diverse customer base. Lidl, Dollar General, and Save A Lot successfully integrate these strategies to ensure relevance across socioeconomic segments. Restaurants such as McAlister’s Deli and Cosi also leverage pricing promotions to encourage weekday traffic while boosting brand appeal.

3 Food Marketing Trends That Ensure Grocerant Growth Will Continue

1.       Hyper-Personalized Marketing: Grocerants leverage consumer data to curate hyper-targeted promotions and loyalty programs, tailoring offers to individual preferences. Retailers like Albertsons and restaurants like Noodles & Company utilize advanced analytics to ensure relevancy and boost engagement.

2.       Content-Driven Brand Engagement: Cooking tutorials, recipes featuring bundled items, and influencer partnerships are driving consumer interaction and educating audiences about the versatility of grocerant offerings. Whole Foods Market and restaurants such as Seasons 52 lead the charge with innovative digital content.

3.       Local Sourcing Partnerships: By emphasizing local and regional partnerships, grocerants strengthen brand trust and resonate with community values. Retailers such as Hy-Vee and restaurants like The Little Beet increasingly highlight farm-to-table partnerships to align with consumer priorities.

Understanding these undercurrents and trends is essential for brands aiming to stay competitive in 2025 and beyond. Grocerants that integrate customer relevance and continuous innovation will solidify their position as dominant players in the foodservice sector.

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

Food Retailers Adopting ‘Quick Commerce’: How Foodora’s Technology is Reshaping Retail

 

Europe’s retail landscape is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the rise of “quick commerce”—a model that promises rapid delivery of groceries, meals, and essential items in as little as 15-30 minutes. Leading the charge is Foodora, which under the visionary leadership of Herbert Haas, is deploying cutting-edge technology to reinvigorate food retail and redefine consumer convenience. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® is a fan of this evolving business model and thinks you should be taking a look at it.  

The Evolution of Quick Commerce

Quick commerce is the natural evolution of the e-commerce boom, tailored to meet today’s “I need it now” consumer mentality. According to a recent report, over 60% of Europeans prioritize speed over cost when selecting delivery services for meals and groceries. Foodora’s integration of real-time inventory tracking, AI-powered delivery algorithms, and hyper-localized partnerships ensures customers get what they need, faster than ever.

This model aligns perfectly with modern consumer behavior: 65% of consumers decide what to eat for dinner after 4 PM. By anticipating and addressing these last-minute decisions, quick commerce captures a critical slice of the Ready-2-Eat and Heat-n-Eat market.

How Foodora is Refreshing European Retail

Under Haas’s leadership, Foodora has embraced three pillars of technological reinvention:

1.       Dynamic Inventory Systems: Foodora collaborates with local grocers, restaurants, and convenience stores, integrating their inventory systems into its platform. This real-time visibility ensures customers only order what is currently in stock, reducing cancellations and improving satisfaction.

2.       AI-Powered Logistics: Leveraging artificial intelligence, Foodora optimizes delivery routes in real-time. This not only ensures faster delivery times but also reduces operational costs by minimizing driver downtime.

3.       Customer-Centric Features: Personalization is a hallmark of Foodora’s app. From suggesting meal bundles based on past orders to recommending complementary items like beverages and sides, the app engages customers and drives higher average ticket sizes.

Applications for Restaurants, Grocery Stores, and Convenience Stores

Foodora’s technology has applications far beyond its immediate ecosystem. Here’s how it can benefit different segments of the food industry:

Restaurants

·         Expanded Reach: With Foodora’s AI logistics, restaurants can serve customers in a wider radius without compromising food quality.

·         Menu Personalization: By analyzing customer data, restaurants can introduce dynamic menus highlighting bestsellers or seasonal favorites to boost sales.

·         Loyalty Integration: Foodora’s app can integrate with existing restaurant loyalty programs, encouraging repeat business.

Grocery Stores

·         Optimized Inventory Management: By linking store inventories directly to the app, grocery stores can reduce out-of-stock scenarios and minimize waste.

·         Cross-Selling Opportunities: Foodora’s bundling feature can encourage shoppers to pair Ready-2-Eat meals with complementary grocery items, increasing the cart value.

·         Last-Mile Excellence: The AI-powered logistics ensure groceries reach customers in pristine condition, maintaining freshness for perishables.

Convenience Stores

·         Increased Basket Size: Foodora’s app can promote impulse buys—think late-night snacks or essentials like batteries—boosting convenience store sales.

·         Hyper-Local Marketing: Targeted promotions can attract nearby customers with personalized discounts on frequently purchased items.

·         Time-Efficient Fulfillment: Streamlined technology minimizes order preparation times, empowering convenience stores to handle high-volume demand efficiently.

Paying Homage to Herbert Haas

Herbert Haas’s vision for Foodora goes beyond technology—it is a philosophy that prioritizes customer needs and empowers local businesses to thrive in a digital-first era. By focusing on hyper-local partnerships and leveraging technology as a tool rather than a crutch, Haas has positioned Foodora as a brand that enriches communities while driving innovation.

Future Implications

Foodora’s success in quick commerce is a case study for any retailer looking to remain relevant. As customer expectations evolve, grocery stores, restaurants, and convenience stores must adopt similar models to provide speed, convenience, and a seamless digital experience. Whether it’s through faster delivery, dynamic inventory systems, or personalized shopping, Foodora has set the gold standard for the industry.

The Grocerant Guru’s Recommendations

1.       Adopt Dynamic Bundling: By integrating Foodora’s bundling technology, retailers can offer mix-and-match meal components that cater to varying tastes while driving up ticket sizes.

2.       Enhance Last-Mile Delivery: Partner with AI-driven logistics platforms to ensure speed and reliability in deliveries.

3.       Leverage Customer Data: Use Foodora-like systems to analyze shopping behaviors, enabling more targeted and effective promotions.

Quick commerce is not a fleeting trend; it’s the future of retail. And with innovators like Herbert Haas leading the charge, the possibilities are boundless.

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