EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Twice Daily convenience stores in Tennessee will serve as test locations for MamaMancini’s Meatballs in a Cup and four ready-to-heat Meals for One. The deal comes as MamaMancini's Holdings, a marketer and distributor of fresh and easy-to-prepare foods, just secured a market test with wholesale distributor H.T. Hackney Co., Knoxville, Tenn., for these food products.
The companies expect to begin the test in September at 47 Nashville, Tenn.-based Twice Daily c-stores, MamaMancini’s said.
- Tri Star Energy LLC, which owns Twice Daily stores, is No. 50 on CSP’s 2022 Top 202 ranking of the largest U.S. c-store chains by number of company-owned retail outlets.
H.T. Hackney serves more than 20,000 retail locations and stocks more than 30,000 products with strategically located distribution centers, creating a 22-state distribution network in the eastern United States, the company said. Retailers serviced by Hackney include convenience stores, drug stores, travel centers and small grocery stores.
“Distribution with Hackney’s family of retail foodservice partners is a highly promising milestone in MamaMancini’s growing foodservice vertical,” said Carl Wolf, CEO of East Rutherford, N.J.-based MamaMancini’s. “With over 20,000 locations, a successful test could position us for placement in thousands of Hackney’s customer locations throughout the eastern United States. We hope this order represents our initial foothold into the estimated 300,000 convenience-store, small-grocer retailer, delicatessen, sandwich shop and comparable retail-outlet market.”
The market size does not include additional opportunities in colleges, corporate dining, travel hubs, stadiums, large group meetings and fast food, Wolf said.
“We believe we can expand our foodservice products, such as our branded Meatballs in a Cup and Meals for One, into traditional supermarket chains and club stores as well, with grab-and-go food offerings increasing in popularity,” he said.
Members help make our journalism possible. Become a CSP member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.