As the nation eases into post-pandemic life, convenience retailers are studying consumer trends and strategizing about how to drive traffic and sales. It pays to focus on foodservice, which offers higher margins than most other retail items. And virtually every c-store retailer is engaged in some form of menu innovation, with 28% seeking new food products, according to Technomic’s April 2021 C-Store Operator Update. But which food items work best in which dayparts?
Hearty dinner fare
For dinner and lunch, most customers are looking for more substantial food items. For these meal periods, offer hearty sandwiches such as Pierre® Jumbo Barbecue Chicken Sandwich or the BIG AZ® Spicy Chicken & Cheese Sandwich, for example. Both of these products are available from Tyson Convenience and are fully cooked, saving operators time and labor. Roller grill items are popular with c-store customers at lunch and dinner. Here, operators can offer generous and tasty grill items such as Hillshire Farm® Cheddarwurst® Dinner Sausage Links or Bryan® Smoked Sausage made with turkey.
Lunch bunch
Some consumers may be looking for lighter fare at the mid-day meal. Satisfy these customers with smaller—but still satisfying—sandwiches. Tyson produces mini versions of many of its sandwiches that would fit the bill. For example, Like Mom’s® Roast Beef and Turkey with Pepper Jack Cheese Sandwich, served on Honey Wheatberry bread, or Pierre Signatures® Salami Pepperoni Ham & Provolone on Asiago Baguette are perfect choices.
Speed and portability drive c-store lunch occasions. Lunch customers strongly prefer grab-and-go food items, according to Technomic’s Q2 2021 C-Store Consumer Market Brief. That includes hot dogs, which 79% of consumers say they prefer; as well as chicken wings, 74%; sausages, 74%; chicken nuggets/tenders, 71%; and sandwiches/wraps, 52%. Many of Tyson’s sandwiches are individually wrapped for easy grab-and-go service.
Off to a good start
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and 64% of c-store customers start their day with a hot, handheld breakfast sandwich, according to Technomic’s Q1 2021 C-Store Market Brief. Tyson Convenience covers this category with a plethora of products. C-store retailers can choose among options such as: BIG AZ® Sausage, Bacon, Egg and Cheese Omelet Sandwich, Fast Choice® Mom 'N' Pop's® Sausage Biscuit or AdvancePierre™ Fully Cooked Egg & Cheese Sandwich on a Whole Grain English Muffin, to name just a few. Or entice A.M. customers with a Hillshire Farm® Cheddarwurst® Smoked Sausage Wrapped in a Bagel.
Bowls are popular at breakfast too, so consider adding a few to the morning menu. Jimmy Dean® brand makes a number of heat-and-serve breakfast bowls, including Broccoli, Cheese and Ham; Turkey Sausage; and Biscuit & Sausage Gravy varieties.
All day long
As fast-food chains have discovered, many customers want breakfast all day long. C-store retailers might take a page from that playbook, which is an easy move. For a handheld morning snack, serve a Jimmy Dean® French Toast Sausage Sandwich or Jimmy Dean® Whole Grain Original Breakfast Sausage Bites, which are enrobed in pancake batter and fried.
Anytime is snack time
The biggest opportunity for c-stores is snacks, which is an all-encompassing daypart stretching from early morning to late night. Some 36% of consumers say they make snack purchases at c-stores, according to Technomic’s 2020Generational Consumer Trend Report. Just what defines a “snack” is changing, says Technomic—61% of consumers consider any food consumed outside of traditional meal periods a snack, according to Technomic’s 2020 Snacking Occasion Trend Report, and 21% say their definitions have broadened to include more types of food.
For some people, a snack is just a smaller portion size. For example, a Tyson® IW Breaded Chicken Mini Twin Sandwich or an AdvancePierre™ Fully Cooked Mini Twin Flamebroiled Beef Pattie with Cheese on a Whole Grain Bun. Handheld items are a traditional snack choice, such as State Fair® Turkey Corn Dogs and Bosco® Whole Grain Pizza Stuffed Breadsticks.
For a more social occasion, customers can throw a party with Hillshire® Snacking Small Plates selections, which include sliced Hot Calabrese Salami or Wine-Infused Salami along with cheese and crackers. Be sure to bundle that snack with an appropriate beverage for a happier customer and a bigger average check.
For more information on how Tyson Convenience can help maximize sales across all dayparts, https://www.tysonfoodservice.com/your-channel/convenience
This post is sponsored by Tyson Convenience