For the first time, Eby Brown is expanding its show presence to include the eastern U.S.
Eby-Expo East wraps up today, April 5, in Cleveland, Ohio as more than 900 retail partners and vendors were on hand to preview what Eby-Brown Co. had to offer in terms of retail solutions for c-stores and their growing foodservice, product and technology needs.
For the first time, the national wholesale distributor of convenience store products introduced an interactive, educational foodservice agenda, featuring Eby-Brown Foodservice and Wakefield offerings.
Joe Roenna, executive vice president of merchandising and procurement, said the city of Cleveland was chosen as the pilot site because it’s centrally located with enough amenities to keep attendees busy—especially from a business perspective. Fulfilling retailers’ needs can take a variety of forms, which Eby-Brown is committed to solving. The newest expo is no exception, Roenna said.
“For me, give them a good show, with a good deals and stuff they want to buy, show them a great time and get to know some people.”
FOODSERVICE ON DISPLAY
Over the two-day event, suppliers provided the newest data on foodservice offerings and processes. One program, Coffee 101 and Innovation, provided concepts and instruction on how to bolster a c-store coffee program. Another delivered information on current trends for roller grill, sandwiches and chicken entrees.
In between, visitors were enjoyed creative cooking competitions and other programs designed to pique retailers’ interest and engage the audience. In one challenge, cooks had to create a breakfast sandwich out of such foundations as doughnuts and cinnamon rolls.
Having the latest industry information is a necessary asset for convenience retailers seeking to boost foodservice sales.
“The emphasis on how we’re presenting foodservice, that’s what we are changing. It’s all about trying to get our customers to think creatively and think differently and making them understand that we have resources in place,” said Sharon Kuncl, Eby-Brown’s vice president of merchandising. “We have a team of educators, who are food service managers, out in the field assisting our customers on an everyday basis with their foodservice needs, menus, needs, ideas and creations.”
TJ Powers, senior vice president of merchandising, said 138 vendors attended the show. More than ever, vendor companies are learning that with c-stores—and their limited operating space—quality foodservice results aren’t derived from a cookie-cutter options.
“There are so many offerings within foodservice, but how do you make it make it simple, how do you package it together, knowing that operations in convenience stores aren’t anywhere near what a quick service restaurant is,” Powers said.
Eby-Brown will host its Eby-Expo Midwest April 27-28 in Rosemont, Ill.