A top rate coffee bar starts with a high-quality cup of coffee, but presentation matters too. The most important aspect of your convenience store’s coffee bar is that the coffee is hot and fresh. Consider if a move to bean-to-cup coffee dispensers might be right for your chain to ensure customers receive a fresh cup…
Free Coffee for QuickChek’s 55th Birthday
New Jersey fresh convenience market chain QuickChek is celebrating its 55th anniversary by rewarding its most loyal customers with free coffee every Friday through April. QuickChek Rewards members can get a free hot or iced coffee — any size, any variety — during its Free Coffee Fridays by scanning the QuickChek Rewards mobile app or…
Bakery Sales Looking up for 2022
During the height of the pandemic, one bakery segment that remained a constant for Rutter’s convenience stores was doughnuts. “With so many supply chain hurdles, our bakery case has evolved throughout the year, but doughnuts remained the king of the category,” said Joseph Bortner, center store category manager for the chain, which operates 79 locations…
Coffee Sales Return
According to the National Coffee Association USA’s (NCA) fall 2021 National Coffee Data Trends (NCDT) report, out-of-home coffee consumption is up 16% since January 2021, nearly back to pre-pandemic January 2020 levels, said Bill Murray, NCA’s president and CEO. Seventy-one percent of Americans are already visiting coffee shops or plan to in the next month,…
Two New Shelf Model Widths With Top Heat
Alto-Shaam has expanded its range of Heated Shelf Merchandisers with two additional new model widths featuring top heat. After updating its countertop and floor-standing 36-inch models last year, both 24-inch and 48-inch models are also now available with top heat. The new layer of top heat paired with Halo Heat technology provides high-quality extended holding […]
New TA Express Coming to Arizona
Westlake, Ohio-based TravelCenters of America will soon bring its travel center amenities to northwest Arizona near the Nevada and Utah border. The company executed a TA Express Franchise Agreement for an existing travel center that will be remodeled in Littlefield, Ariz. Planned amenities include: Gasoline with 20 fueling positions Truck diesel with ten fueling positions…
Should My C-Store Add Bean-to-Cup Coffee Dispensers?
Bean-to-cup coffee dispensers are the latest trend in the coffee area. But convenience store retailers must weigh the benefits with the cost of new equipment. Bean-to-cup coffee machines can signal ‘fresh’ to customers because the machines grind the coffee fresh with the touch of a button. Most retailers point to the perception of freshness as…
Bundling, Variety Could Buoy Roller Grill Sales in 2022
While the pandemic has temporarily disrupted roller grill sales at some c-stores at various points over the past two years, sales for the category are once again rolling along. Ann Golladay, associate director on the content team at Datassential, reported that she anticipates a “moderate growth” in roller grill items through 2022. “I think…
Connecticut Site Hosts New 7-Eleven Store
An innovative, new-to-industry 7-Eleven location opened last month in Danbury, Conn. Site owner AMZ Petroleum celebrated with grand opening ceremonies at the Federal Road location, attended by Danbury Mayor Dean Esposito, who performed the official ribbon cutting. The 1.47-acre redevelopment represents 7-Eleven’s newest format and is the first of its kind in New England. In…
Huck’s Market Elevates Food
Following its rebrand as Huck’s Market in 2020, Huck’s has been busy redesigning stores, growing its foodservice menu and investing in new technology, including self-checkout and frictionless payments. Carmi, Ill.-based Huck’s can trace its roots to 1960 when founders Frank Bayley and Bob Martin partnered to open Big John supermarkets. They grew the business from…