5 C-Store Foodservice Trends We Spotted at McLane’s 2019 National Trade Show
By Brett Dworski on Sep. 05, 2019SAN ANTONIO — Foodservice innovation took center stage at McLane’s 2019 National Trade Show in San Antonio. Attendees were able to catch the latest trends in new roller grill items, sandwiches, deli meats and other hot and cold foods.
Here’s what caught CSP’s attention in the foodservice section …
Private-label pizza
Temple, Texas-based McLane showcased its Fly Guys pizza, the leading item in its private-label portfolio, in its classic cheese flavor. McLane will debut a new Buffalo chicken flavor at the upcoming NACS show this year, said Teresa Voelter, general manager of consumer value products for McLane.
The company is also organizing new foodservice programs for smaller retail chains. This includes providing them with new foodservice equipment and food items, such as ovens and sandwiches, respectively, said Jennifer Hutto, senior category development analyst for McLane.
“The big players already have dedicated plans in place for their foodservice programs,” she said. “For now, we’re bringing easy-to-execute programs to smaller chains.”
Roller grill bonanza
Roller grill meats appeared around nearly ever corner of the show floor at this year’s McLane event.
Tyson Foods, Springdale, Ark., showcased five new flavors of its Hillshire Farm smoked sausages, including Chipotle Jack, Spicy Cajun Jack, Four Cheese, Nashville Hot and Green Hatch Chile.
Ruiz Foods, Dinuba, Calif., highlighted its classic 3-ounce Tornados in a variety of new flavors for both the morning and afternoon dayparts, such as Fresh Toast & Sausage; Chicken, Bacon & Cheddar; Ranchero Steak & Cheese; and Southwest Chicken.
Johnsonville, Sheboygan Falls, Wis., sampled its classic Bratwurst, Southern Sausage, Beef Hot Dog, Cheddar Beer Bratwurst, Cajun Sausage, French Toast Sausage and Smokey Cheddar Sausage.
Oscar Meyer, a division of Kraft Heinz, Chicago, showcased its roller grill items in traditional 100% All-Beef Franks Hot Dogs, Pizza Links and Jalapeno Western Omelet varieties.
Big burritos
Frozen-burrito producer Don Miguel, a division of MegaMex Foods, Austin, Minn., showcased its flagship Bomb Burritos and Premium Hand-Rolled Burritos at the show. The 14-ounce Bomb Burritos come in six flavors, including Spicy Red Hot Beef & Bean; Beef, Bean & Cheese Sauce With Red Chile; Beef, Bean & Cheese Sauce With Green Chile; Red Chile & Cheese Fried Chimi; Chipotle Chicken; and the classic Breakfast Burrito. The Premium Hand-Rolled Burritos come in four varieties: Chicken, Black Beans & Cheese; Carne Asada; Carnitas; and Chipotle Chicken.
Classic cold cuts
Hormel Foods, Austin, Minn., offered attendees a cold alternative to roller grills and burritos with its Natural Choice deli meats and wraps. The meats are packaged in 8-ounce containers and come in a plethora of varieties, such as Oven Roasted Turkey, Honey Ham, Smoked Turkey and Smoked Ham. The wraps come in five formats, including Pepperoni Pizza, Bacon Club, Turkey & Cheddar, Ham & Cheddar and Italian, all of which are folded in flatbreads and contain 14 grams of protein per serving.
Keep it fresh
Produce manufacturer Robinson Fresh, Eden Prairie, Minn., brought healthy offerings to the trade show with its new Bistro Bowl Salads. The bowls come in four formats: Original Bistro, Grilled Chicken Kits, Gourmet Bistro Bowls and Dinner Solutions, all of which come in several flavors. Some of the varieties include Spinach Dijon Original Bistro, which contains baby spinach, hard-boiled eggs, Monterey Jack-colby cheese, sliced almonds, dried cranberries and sweet onion Dijon vinaigrette; and the Chopped Thai Style Crunch Grilled Chicken Kit, a combination of Napa cabbage, romaine lettuce, celery, carrots and red cabbage topped with grilled lemongrass-infused white meat chicken, fire-roasted edamame, red bell peppers and cashews with a sweet Thai peanut dressing.