SunStop convenience stores are tackling food waste by repurposing leftovers into new dishes.
The 82-store chain, owned by Bainbridge, Georgia-based Southwest Georgia Oil Co., has a foodservice concept based on fresh cooking, Curtis Robinson, brand manager of food and beverage, said June 12 at CSP's Foodservice Forum in Schaumburg, Illinois. This includes a hot deli case and plate-to-order options.
The goal is to keep waste between 10% and 15%, he said.
- Southwest Georgia Oil Co./SunStop is No. 82 on CSP’s 2026 Top 202 ranking of convenience-store chains by U.S. store count.
"What we cool after breakfast, we’re gonna cool that and repurpose it into other dishes—and for lunch, likewise, any chicken or leftovers that we have, our intent is to cool that and repurpose it into another recipe,” he said. “That’s how we attack our waste.”
The company’s profit margin goal is 60% to 70%, but right now that figure is about 57%, Robinson said.
“We’re working on ways to increase that,” he said. “With the economy the way it is, we’re pushing for $5 bundles for lunch and dinner.”
Driving dinner traffic
SunStop also is trying to drive traffic after 5 p.m., Robinson said.
The chain has a daily special of a 6-ounce entree that changes daily, he said. Offerings include beef stroganoff, chicken alfredo and baked spaghetti. He said SunStop is known for its homemade meatloaf, which is served every Thursday.
“Our side items are 3-ounce portions, and our daily special is $8.99 for the entree and two sides,” he said. “We push a $5 after 5, so at 5 o’clock that $8.99 daily special becomes $5. We have seen some success with that, and, of course, we have taken a hit to push that because of the economy.”
The use of GLP-1 for weight loss is also affecting SunStop, so they offer an entree with a single side, he said.
“People are wanting less food at one time,” Robinson said. “We’re bundling that with protein bars and high-protein wraps and baked chicken. We have seen a huge increase in our baked chicken.”
SunStop now offers baked chicken daily, he said.
“Baked chicken breast is one of our biggest sellers, and again, we take a hit on that in margin, but we make up for it with loyalty,” he said.