Once upon a time, convenience store coolers sold mostly soft drinks. Today, customers are demanding a range of beverage options. What’s more, beverage channels are blurring and healthy options and interesting flavor combinations are driving sales. Enter kombucha. Kombucha is a fermented tea with probiotic and immunity boosting benefits that is often sold in cooler…
What’s Ahead for CBD and Cannabis-Infused Foods & Beverages?
Cannabidiol (CBD) beverages and cannabis-infused beverages are a growing trend. Some 23% of consumers report wanting to try CBD beverages and 22% say they want to try CBD-infused foods, according to market research firm Datassential. Still, CBD-infused beverages remain a new concept to most customers. Mike Kostyo, trendologist for Datassential, pointed out that more consumers…
7-Eleven Debuts Proprietary Sparkling Water
7-Eleven has a new proprietary sparkling water, Serafina. Imported from Italy, the sparkling mineral water brand was created exclusively for 7-Eleven and comes in three flavors: Original, Organic Lime and Organic Lemon Ginger with a suggested retail price of $1.79 per 16.9-ounce bottle. For a limited time, thirsty customers can purchase two bottles for the…
Consumers Crave Mexican Cuisine
Mexican is but one of many types of Hispanic or Latinx cuisines, but it is by far the most ubiquitous — and most popular — in the U.S. A few months into the pandemic, market research firm Datassential asked U.S. consumers what they were missing the most from restaurants, and Mexican food was the top…
Family Express Acquires Six Freedom Oil Stores
Valparaiso, Ind.-based Family Express announced two acquisitions that will increase its store count by 10%. The first is in the Indianapolis suburb of McCordsville. The three-acre site has been redeveloped to Family Express standards and it features its proprietary Cravin’s To-Order food offering. The company is immediately starting construction to add a car wash and…
Rutter’s Adds Shamrock Spiked Slushies
York, Pa.-based Rutter’s partnered with Steel Reserve to offer Shamrock Spiked Slushies for the month of March. With its ‘leprechaun green’ color, the tropical flavor offers a citrus taste, with a mix of sweet and sour, in a 20-ounce cup, as well as Rutter’s 64-ounce and 128-ounce Party Bags. “At Rutter’s, we’re always looking for…
Fuel Industry Experts Share Expectations for 2021
The 2021 National Biodiesel Conference and Expo happened the same week a new president was inaugurated, and that timing did not go unnoticed. From policy expectations to the environmental benefits of various fuel sources, here are our key takeaways for c-store operators from this major industry event. Political Change Is an Opportunity for Growth President…
Foxtrot Market Opens Two D.C. Locations
Foxtrot Market is making its East Coast debut with two Washington, D.C. openings. Doors open to its Georgetown store March 1 (1267 Wisconsin Ave. NW), with a forthcoming store opening in Mount Vernon Triangle (650 Massachusetts Ave. NW) on March 22. As a company with eyes on rapid expansion, the new stores bring Foxtrot’s national footprint…
New Data Provides Profile of the CBD Convenience and Gas Station Consumer
Data from Brightfield Group highlights a new consumer profile that came out of its recent data refresh: the CBD Convenience + Gas Station Consumer. According to the profile, the typical CBD convenience and gas station consumer is male (58%), lower-middle class (50%) and millennial (59%). And he has used CBD for under a year (52%).…
Best Foodservice Launch Awards: Eagle Stop
Springfield, Mo.-based Gier Oil Co., with more than 50 Eagle Stop c-stores in Missouri, closed out 2020 with the launch of its On the Fly Market pizza program, which features pizzas with freshly baked crusts, fresh mozzarella cheese and authentic Italian ingredients. The program is set to offer innovative flavors and local collaborations, thanks to…