Can Restaurants Gain Ground as Grocery Prices Hit Three Month Highs

 

Restaurants have been stubbing their toes as they raise prices to the point that consumers stopped buying the items they liked and started exploring new points of fresh food distribution according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.

Did you know that grocery store prices were up slightly in the month of October, matching a six-month high at 0.3%, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. At-home food prices also went up 0.3% in July. Over the last 12 months, food at-home prices were up 2.1%.

Meanwhile, the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers went unchanged in October after increasing 0.4% in September.

So, four of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased in October. Pork and beef rose 1.3% and 1.2%, respectively, while meats, poultry, fish, and eggs were up 0.7%. After falling 0.4% in September, cereals and bakery prices were up 0.2% in October. Other food at home and dairy and related products spiked 0.3%.

I’m sure you noticed that during the last year, cereals and bakery lead all grocery categories with a 4.2% price increase. Other food at home is up 3.6% and the price for meat, poultry, fish, and eggs has risen 0.4%. The price for dairy and related products dropped 0.4% over the last 12 months.

By comparison, food price inflation was down in September but flattened for groceries.

The food index rose 0.2% in September, as it did in the previous two months. The index for food at home increased 0.1% over the month, after rising 0.2% in August. 

Three of the six major grocery store food group indexes increased over the month. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs rose 0.5% in September as the index for pork increased 1.6%. The index for other food at home increased 0.3% over the month and the index for dairy and related products rose 0.1%. 

The index for cereals and bakery products decreased 0.4% in September, the first decline in that index since June 2021. The fruits and vegetables index was unchanged over the month, as was the nonalcoholic beverages index. The door is open for both convenience stores and restaurants to attract new customers if they play their cards right.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869

Arby’s Partnership with Paramount+ Adds New Electricity

 

How are you going to garner new customers while edifying the old and most loyal customers?  According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® a customer focused partnership just might be the answer to drive incremental brand relevance.

Have you heard that Arby’s is partnering with Paramount+ to celebrate the release of GOOD BURGER 2 by introducing a one-of-a-kind meal that enthusiasts of the long-awaited sequel are sure to recognize. The GOOD BURGER 2 Meal, available exclusively at Arby’s started on November 13, features Arby’s Deluxe Wagyu Steakhouse Burger – a blend of 51 percent Wagyu and 49 percent ground beef – a Strawberry Shake and Fries.

According to Johnson, “Brand relevance is in part driven with innovation in new food products in combination with new avenues of distribution all of which are the platform for the new electricity.” 

Johnson stated “that in my minds-eye the new electricity must be very efficient for the supply and includes such things as fresh foods, smaller footprint, developing brands, fresh flowers, grocerant positioning, fresh food messaging, autonomous delivery, cashier-less retail, plates, glasses, cash-less payments, digital hand-held marketing.

All retailers to survive the next generation of retail must embrace the artificial intelligence revolution while simultaneously embracing fresh food that is portable according to Johnson. 

GOOD BURGER 2 is the new original movie sequel to the iconic ‘90s feature film based on the sketch from the Nickelodeon comedy series All That. Nearly three decades following the original GOOD BURGER movie release, GOOD BURGER 2 follows Dexter Reed (Kenan Thompson) and original cashier Ed (Kel Mitchell) as they reunite in the present day at fast-food restaurant Good Burger with a hilarious new group of employees.

The new movie will premiere on Wednesday, November 22, exclusively on Paramount+, and Arby’s fans can further enjoy the movie with a nostalgia-filled meal. Arby’s Deluxe Wagyu Steakhouse Burger features an American Wagyu blended burger topped with American cheese, shredded lettuce, tomato, pickles, red onion and a special burger sauce on a toasted buttery brioche bun.

“Many of our guests have such fond memories of watching GOOD BURGER when they were younger, and in many ways, Arby’s evokes a similar sense of nostalgia as a place they grew up going to with family and friends,” says Ellen Rose, Arby’s Chief Marketing Officer. “Partnering with Paramount+ to offer the GOOD BURGER 2 Meal lets us connect with our audience in a relevant yet unexpected way – and also showcase our Deluxe Wagyu Steakhouse Burger, which is a really good burger, to new fans.”

Fans can also share their GOOD BURGER love with exclusive Arby’s x GOOD BURGER 2 merch. Available only on ArbysShop.com starting on November 13 at 10 a.m. ET, the collection includes a grey crewneck sweatshirt and a black t-shirt, each with unique designs that capture the spirit of the collaboration.

“Paramount Brand Studio is thrilled to collaborate with Arby’s to bring “Home of the Good Burger” to life through a multifaceted campaign that will immerse fans in the iconic world of GOOD BURGER 2,” says Michelle Zoni, SVP of Activation, Paramount Brand Studio. “Through co-branded creative, in-store activations, consumer products and more, we are creating shared experiences for fans that will not only build excitement for the movie’s release on Paramount+, but also for the GOOD BURGER 2 meal which is the perfect kickoff to this partnership.”

For fans in the Atlanta area, Arby’s will host a pop-up event on November 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at a Johns Creek Arby’s location to celebrate the movie and the GOOD BURGER 2 Meal, allowing fans to fully immerse themselves into the world of GOOD BURGER for the day. The Arby’s location at 5815 State Bridge Rd. will be transformed into a Good Burger with recognizable décor throughout, and the event will feature interactive activities including a Burgermobile replica that is perfect for photo ops and chances for attendees to win prizes such as GOOD BURGER 2 merch and Arby’s gift cards.

Enjoy the GOOD BURGER 2 Meal for a limited time at Arby’s participating locations nationwide.

Are you ready for some fresh ideations? Do your food marketing ideas look more like yesterday than tomorrow? Interested in learning how our Grocerant Guru® 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 one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

7-Eleven Relevance is a New Holiday Branded Merchandise Line

 

If success leaves clues and it does, 7-Eleven leaves more success clues than most retailers.  According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® 7-Eleven excels at timely relevant messaging that is customer focused. 

So get this, in an ongoing effort to focus on customer relevance they introduced seasonal collections to its online merchandise shop, 7-Eleven Inc. has launched a line of festive apparel and accessories on 7collection.com.

The company's latest drop includes a range of unique gifts and home accessories, such as:

·         Knitted 7-Eleven and Slurpee inspired holiday sweaters;

·         7-Eleven custom printed wrapping paper and gift bags;

·         Beverage accessories such as tumblers and "Oh Thank Heaven" storefront ceramic mugs;

·         The Cars of 7-Eleven tree ornament; and

·         7-Eleven and Slurpee inspired beanies, along with red or green cord caps.

The convenience store chain is also introducing new 7Collection e-gift cards, which will be redeemable for any and all merchandise available on 7Collection.com.

"After some epic 7Collection drops in 2023, we're closing out the year with new holiday apparel and accessories that will be on every 7-Eleven superfan's wish list," said Marissa Jarratt, 7-Eleven executive vice president, chief marketing and sustainability officer. "We curated this collection with all of our brand fans in mind: car accessories for car lovers, beverage holders for Big Gulp and coffee drinkers, and new apparel for fashion aficionados. This collection captures the spirit of the season, blending our brand's iconic style with a touch of holiday magic."

In addition to the new merch, 7Collection will be offering a Black Friday special, giving shoppers 25 percent off all merchandise between Nov. 22 and 26. A Cyber Monday buy-one-get-one event on Nov. 27 will allow customers who purchase one item to receive 50 percent off a second item.

As an extra incentive, customers who sign up for the 7NOW Gold Pass between Nov. 23-27 will receive $100 in delivery credits.

Irving-based 7-Eleven operates, franchises and/or licenses more than 13,000 stores in the United States and Canada. In addition to 7-Eleven stores, it operates and franchises Speedway, Stripes, Laredo Taco Co., and Raise the Roost Chicken and Biscuits locations.

Invite Foodservice Solutions® to complete a Grocerant ScoreCard, or for product positioning or placement assistance, or call our Grocerant Guru®.  Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. Contact: Steve@FoodserviceSolutions.us or 253-759-7869

Gen Z Try this White Castle Stuffing Recipe

 

It’s that time of year where Holiday meals are simply family fun time according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®.  Here is the classic White Castle Stuffing Recipe that the team to Foodservice Solutions® knows you will enjoy.

It’s WCS season! That’s “White Castle Stuffing” season for those not in the know. White Castle, the iconic, family-owned business, reminds people that before the bells start jingling, before the yule tides, and before everyone starts belting what they want for Christmas, Thanksgiving must be celebrated! Of course, that celebration should include a freshly baked legendary White Castle stuffing recipe.

White Castle’s Original Slider Stuffing set a new standard on how Thanksgiving Day stuffing should be prepared. The recipe was first introduced in 1991 when a White Castle team member enhanced her grandmother’s family stuffing recipe with a sack of Sliders.

“Food, fellowship and memorable moments mark a great Thanksgiving, and White Castle is happy to have played a role in making that a reality for more than three decades,” said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. “All of the Slider Stuffing recipes are simple to prepare but pack a heap of flavor, making it the preferred choice of both kitchen veterans and novices trying to make the ideal Thanksgiving side dish.”  

The White Castle culinary team produced a new hit in 2022 with the Kickin’ Southwest Stuffin Muffins. Featuring corn, green onions, chili powder, a variety of peppers and Jalapeño Cheese Sliders, these muffins are small in stature but big in taste. Other versions of the Slider stuffing include the Impossible Slider Stuffing, which uses the Impossible Slider as the base, the Bacon Jalapeño Cheese Slider Stuffing and the Southwestern Jalapeño Cheese Slider Stuffing.

Remix! Fat Joe style! This year, the Craver Hall of Famer put his personal touch on the dish, calling it Fat Joe’s Jalapeño Cheese Slider Stuffing. Fat Joe’s version features sauteed celery, jalapeño peppers, cilantro, shredded pepper jack cheese and Jalapeño Cheese Sliders, with a guest appearance from Sazón, a blend of spices that is a staple of many Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican cuisines.

All recipes mentioned can be prepared using Sliders purchased fresh from White Castle restaurants or frozen from retail stores across the U.S.

“The bird may get the headlines, but it’s the stuffing doing the heavy lifting with these innovative Thanksgiving recipes,” Richardson said. “You’ll always receive an invitation to join in the festivities as long as you continue to bring a White Castle Slider Stuffing recipe.”

The recipes for White Castle’s Original Slider Stuffing and its Kickin’ Southwest Stuffin’ Muffins are below. For the other stuffing recipes and additional recipe ideas using White Castle menu items, visit www.whitecastle.com/crave-central/recipes.

White Castle Original Slider Stuffing Recipe

Prep time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Servings: about 9 cups of stuffing (enough for a 10- to 12-pound turkey)

Ingredients:

1.   10 to 12 White Castle Original Sliders, no pickles (from a Castle restaurant or a local retailer)

2.   1½ cups diced celery

3.   1¼ teaspoons ground thyme

4.   1½ teaspoons ground sage

5.   ¾ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper

6.   ¼ cup chicken broth (or 1 cup for casserole version)

Instructions:

1.   Tear the Sliders into bite-sized pieces and put into a large mixing bowl.

2.   Add diced celery and seasonings.

3.   Add ¼ cup of chicken broth and toss well.

4.   Put stuffing into cavity of the turkey and cook as you normally would.

5.   If cooking stuffing as a casserole, add an additional ¾ cup of chicken broth and toss well.

6.   Spray or oil a 2-quart casserole dish.

7.   Transfer stuffing to casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

White Castle Kickin’ Southwest Stuffin’ Muffins

Prep Time: 5 to 10 minutes

Cook time: 25 minutes

Servings: Approx. 18

Ingredients:

1.       10 TBLS Butter

2.       12 Jalapeño Sliders chopped into ½ inch pieces

3.       3 large jalapeño peppers diced (1 cup) – leave the seeds for a spicier muffin

4.       1 poblano pepper diced (1 cup) – leave the seeds for more spice

5.       1 red bell pepper diced (1 cup)

6.       1 cup frozen corn

7.       Green onion sliced (2/3 cup)

8.       2 TBLS chili powder

9.       1 tsp salt

10.   ½ tsp pepper

11.   3 eggs

12.   1½ cups chicken broth

13.   ½ cup breadcrumbs

Instructions:

1.       Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2.       Melt butter in a medium skillet over medium heat.

3.       Add diced peppers and sauté until soft.

4.       Add the corn and green onions, turn off heat.

5.       Add chili powder, salt and pepper.

6.       In a large bowl, mix vegetables with sliders and breadcrumbs.

7.       Combine your broth and eggs.

8.       Pour broth & egg mixture over slider mixture and blend well.

9.       Scoop into buttered muffin tin or use cupcake wrappers.

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 on our social media sites by clicking one of the following links: Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter