When consumers stop at a convenience store for something to eat, it’s no surprise they’re looking for something that can be eaten easily on-the-go. Among consumers who purchase retail foodservice items at least once a month, 49% say that “grab-and-go” items are appealing, according to Technomic’s 2023 Retail Foodservice Consumer Trend Report, and that’s likely because many c-store foodservice purchases are enjoyed while on the way to shoppers’ next destination. Whether they’re stopping for a quick bite before work, on the way to the kids’ soccer practice or on the way home from a road trip, c-store shoppers are looking for something they can eat that’s convenient and won’t make a mess—handheld, portable items.
Items that can be picked up quickly and eaten on-the-go are big sellers in c-stores. Classic options such as roller grill items and pastries are sure bets, and for consumers seeking heartier comfort food items that won’t leave them hungry, pizza is a reliable option. According to Technomic’s Q1 2024 C-Store Consumer Market Brief, 62% of consumers said they purchase pizza from c-stores at least once a week.
Pizza hits all the bases—it’s familiar, so consumers know what to expect; it’s customizable, so consumers can add the toppings they want and leave off the ones they don’t; and it’s a fast, tasty meal that hits the spot.
For c-stores that want to offer more handheld and portable options, pizza is a great solution. Hunt Brothers Pizza offers whole pizzas as well as Hunk A Pizza® options—1/4 of a large 12” pizza, perfect for on-the-go eats—plus Wings and WingBites®, which are great for eating just about anywhere.
With Hunt Brothers Pizza’s Hunk A Pizza® program, c-store retailers can offer their customers a tasty, grab-and-go meal or snack any time, with options for all dayparts. Having fresh Hunks in the warmer during breakfast, lunch and dinner hours makes it easy as can be to get a quick, handheld meal to take on-the-go. Popular options include Pepperoni and Cheese Hunks. For breakfast, retailers can offer Breakfast Hunks topped with scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, breakfast sausage and a blend of mozzarella cheeses; and for later in the day, Chicken Hunks provide a protein-packed option to fuel hungry shoppers. Additionally, stationing the warmer near the checkout line and register can increase impulse buys, boosting the bottom line.
To learn more about Hunt Brothers Pizza’s branded programs for c-stores, click here.
This post is sponsored by Hunt Brothers Pizza