From roller grill fun and sandwich versatility to hot or cold grab 'n' go food choices, Smithfield Culinary has the conveniently delicious products you need.
Visits to convenience stores are on the increase. More and more consumers are eating on the run, and looking for fast, yet delicious choices to satisfy their cravings. According to Technomic, the number of consumers who are using c-stores on almost a daily basis is growing rapidly. The average consumer will visit and purchase items 2-6 days per week at a c-store. What’s more, an incredible 80% of males use c-stores once a week or more, as well as 68% of females.1 For these customers, high food quality and taste, food variety and good prices are among the top purchase drivers at c-stores.
It’s because of that growth that operators are constantly on the lookout for unique new products they can add to their offerings. Make Margherita your first stop for your convenience store needs. We offer the options to satisfy your customers’ cravings, hot or cold, on-the-go or take-home, and anytime of day or night.
According to Technomic, C-store Marketbrief, Q4 2018, other convenience store trends include:
- 82% of millennials use c-stores once a week or more, compared with 76% of Gen Zers.
- Since 2017, c-store customers making foodservice purchases have risen. 52% purchase foodservice food, while 47% purchase retail food.
- 72% of those increasing their c-store foodservice purchases are decreasing their fast-food purchase.
Margherita offers a comprehensive line of quality convenience store–friendly products that are perfect for every taste and daypart. Below, we outline the top product categories that are key to convenience store success.
Keeping Business Rollin’
A convenience store staple, roller foods are a grab ‘n’ go favorite and the workhorse of c-store operations. Consumers are more likely to purchase a hot dog than any other c-store prepared food item aside from pizza, and 24% purchase roller grill items from c-stores on a monthly basis.2 Margherita offers the variety of roller grill products to satisfy your customers’ cravings, such as franks and smoked sausages.
Sandwich Versatility
Up to 45% of consumers ages 18-35 say that offering breakfast sandwiches/wraps/burritos is important or extremely important.3 As lifestyles evolve and more people eat away from home, breakfast sandwiches have quickly become one of the fastest-growing prepared food items. Margherita offers an unparalleled variety of all-day sandwich proteins, such as turkey, ham, roast beef, bologna, cotto salami and many more.
Top Off Your Pizzas
Pizza and convenience stores are a natural twosome. Research shows 52% of c-store consumers who eat pizza will order pizza from a convenience store at least once a month.4 Margherita has just the toppings, such as pepperoni, ham and sausage, to turn your store into your local pizzeria.
Quick Meal Solutions
With today’s busy lifestyles, consumers are increasingly looking for meal solutions that are quick yet satisfying. Grab ‘n’ go foodservice items are among the top purchased items at convenience stores. Margherita also offers a variety of convenient choices for your refrigerated section, which can also be merchandised in your grab ‘n’ go hot case.
For your operation’s every foodservice need, Margherita can provide the conveniently delicious products you need to cater to the cravings of your on-the-go customers.
Watch for future articles as we dive deeper to offer ideas, insights and applications to expand your convenience store foodservice offerings.
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1. Technomic, C-store Marketbrief, Q4 2018
2. Technomic, C-Store Marketbrief, Q4 2017
3. Technomic, Sandwich CTR 2017
4. Technomic, C-Store Marketbrief, Q3 2017