Maverik convenience stores next month will begin carrying single-serve Birria and Cheese Pupusas from Hispanic fresh foods maker Del Real Foods, Mira Loma, California, at more than 800-plus locations.
The pupusas, which are stuffed with beef birria combined with mozzarella cheese, will be available in the refrigerated grab-and-go section for $3.99.
“Del Real Foods’ pupusas offer a modern twist on the classic Salvadoran dish, made with authentic masa from stone-ground corn, a tradition dating back to 3000 B.C.,” the company said. The single-serve options include up to 15 grams of protein per serving and require one minute in the microwave.
Daniela Simpson, chief marketing officer of Del Real Foods, told CSP that this product is the company’s first single-serve product, created specifically for convenience stores.
Maverik is No. 12 on CSP’s 2024 Top 202 ranking of U.S. convenience-store chains by store count.
“We developed these offerings in response to consumer demand for convenient, hot meals on the go,” Simpson said. “Ready in just about a minute in the microwave, these pupusas offer a diverse alternative to the usual burritos, hot dogs and pizzas found in c-stores. Having previously partnered with c-stores like ampm, we’re excited to bring this ultra-convenient option to Maverik.”
The single-serve pupusa packaging was designed so the pupusa can be warmed up in a convenience-store microwave, Simpson said.
The partnership represents “a major growth opportunity for our brand, with Maverik playing a key role in driving product trials and expanding our distribution,” Simpson said.
Simpson said that club channels like Costco and Sam’s Club “have been the primary growth engines for our pupusas,” with a 93% increase in dollar sales versus the year prior.
“We’re excited to expand into more c-store channels to continue to grow this exciting category,” she said.
Salt Lake City-based Maverik has more than 500 Maverik-branded locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. It has approximately 400 Kum & Go-branded locations in 12 states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Wyoming.
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