Pizza is an incredibly popular foodservice item which holds the power to drive traffic for convenience stores in the United States. Consumers looking for an easily accessible hot food option will gravitate towards the dish as it is familiar and reliable for many.
For this reason, it is important to create a menu with recognizable flavors, but there also is great opportunity in providing Limited Time Offerings (LTOs). Pizza lovers are growing more and more interested in experiencing trending flavors and expanding their palettes. Those looking to explore pizzas with unique toppings and ingredients can further increase sales and profitability at convenience stores.
Pizza variety and flavor meets consumer demand
Technomic’s recent Pizza Consumer Trend Report states that 27% of consumers are more interested in trying pizzas with unique toppings or ingredients now than in past years. They appreciate the convenience of purchasing meals or snacks from c-stores, and also enjoy the taste of foodservice items that are offered. LTOs can introduce the inventive flavors that consumers crave with the convenience they demand.
According to Technomic’s Q1 2024 C-Store Consumer Market Brief, 62% of consumers in January 2024 said they purchase pizza at least once a week or more from c-stores. Consumers define new or unique flavors as those that have not been tried before or new combinations of familiar spices, says Technomic’s 2023 Flavor Consumer Trend Report. According to the report, 47% of consumers are looking for something different, while 46% enjoy discovering new flavors. With these figures in mind, it makes sense for retailers to add unique or trending pizza options.
LTOs can attract new customers, and keep loyal customers interested
Technomic’s Q1 2024 C-Store Consumer Market Brief found that limited time offers are one of the most influential foodservice c-store promotions, and that by offering them, c-store retailers can benefit from boosted revenue and returning customers.
While offering foodservice options with familiar flavors that consumers enjoy is a great opportunity for c-store retailers to create a loyal customer base, LTOs that feature new or unique ingredients can attract new customers and keep returning customers interested and on the lookout for something new.
Adding unique pizza options to the lineup
The Hunt Brothers® Pizza program offers menu items with more than 1,024 pizza topping combinations to satisfy consumers who crave different pizza flavors. Pizza toppings include meats (pepperoni, Italian sausage, beef and bacon) and veggies (bell peppers, mushrooms, white onions, banana peppers, black olives and jalapenos), and pizzas are available in original and thin crust options.
Hunt Brothers Pizza also offers a Breakfast Pizza that is pre-topped with fluffy scrambled eggs, chopped bacon, breakfast sausage and a blend of mozzarella and cheddar cheeses on the brand’s buttered original crust.
Additionally, with LTO pizza selections from Hunt Brothers Pizza such as the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, Buffalo Chicken Pizza and more, c-store retailers can increase foot traffic and profits. The Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza, now available at participating stores for a limited time, features the brand’s original crust, covered in creamy ranch sauce, and layered with diced chicken and crispy bacon, and topped with a blend of 100% natural part-skim mozzarella and cheddar cheeses. It is then finished with Hunt Brothers Pizza’s signature Just Rite Spice™.
Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza from Hunt Brothers Pizza is available starting June 10 at participating locations, while supplies last. To learn more about Hunt Brothers Pizza, visit https://www.huntbrotherspizza.com/brandedpizzaguide/.
This post is sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza