Building a low waste foodservice operation can help c-store retailers reduce food costs. In foodservice, there is always discussion about cost inflation and the fact that you can only raise prices so much. This is true, but there is a whole world of opportunity to mitigate cost inflation by taking a laser focused look at…
Finding a Legal Pathway for Cannabinoids Continues
The opportunity for cannabidiol (CBD) sales in c-stores hangs in the balance as retailers wait to learn the fate of this growing category. In 2018, the Agriculture Improvement Act (Farm Bill) removed hemp and hemp-derived CBD from the Controlled Substance Act. Also, since the Farm Bill has been in effect, the Food and Drug Administration…
Tracking Packaging Trends
As foodservice becomes a bigger focus for many c-store chains, more retailers are upgrading food packaging to better attract customers. Packaging plays a crucial role in influencing foodservice purchases, given its ability to help maintain the quality and integrity of the food, highlight the appearance of items, and assure customers that the food is fresh…
Dash In Looks to Deliver Better Experiences With DEI
The Wills Group, the parent company of Dash In convenience stores, is working toward making diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) a way of life for the chain, embedding DEI practices into the chain’s culture from the way it does business to how it serves communities. CStore Decisions caught up with Rayma Alexander, director of corporate…
Training: On the Right Track
Foodservice training is imperative for any convenience store operation, both to maintain reliable quality standards and to keep the workspace’s sanitation in peak condition. If both of these goals are met, customers will grow to trust the store’s ability to provide high-quality meals and snacks. Foodservice training may vary from c-store chain to c-store chain,…
Prasek’s Takes a Different Approach on C-Stores
Prasek’s Family Smokehouse, which operates two locations in Sealy, Texas, and El Campo, Texas, isn’t your average convenience store chain. This smokehouse not only provides traditional c-store products, but it also offers a home-inspired interior, daily lunch specials, a robust bakery offering and a variety of fresh, frozen and smoked meat options. Like most c-stores,…
Is Everything Going According to Plan?
The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) now says “by the end of 2023” will be their announcement date of final regulations for the ban of menthol tobacco products and flavored cigars. If this new timetable and the FDA’s 12-month enactment period are the mileposts, c-store chains and independents now have all of 2024 to figure…
Announcing the Winners of CStore Decisions’ 2023 Hot New Products Contest
Thousands of new products and services launch in the convenience store industry each year. But which will be successful in today’s competitive marketplace? CStore Decisions’ 2023 Hot New Products Contest evaluated a number of new product launches and is awarding the products set for success at c-stores this year. CStore Decisions received numerous entries across…
5 Ways to Boost Coffee Sales in C-Stores
Coffee remains a hot commodity in convenience stores. Whether they’re buying a regular hot coffee, opting for their favorite seasonal flavor or selecting a cold-brew option, customers want their brew fresh, and they want it fast. To keep coffee sales rising, c-store retailers are finding new ways to update their coffee segments to keep customers…
RTDs Trend in Alcoholic Beverages
The last few years have shown a saturation of innovation and emerging brands in the alcoholic beverage category. The popularity of non-alcoholic beers and cocktails has been steadily rising, and growth in the ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktail segment has yet to taper off. Additionally, beer remains a stable seller for c-stores. “Hard seltzer has gone through…