The consumer demand for plant-based beverages and foods for in-home meal prep has continued throughout the pandemic, according to The NPD Group‘s recently released “The Future of Plant-based Snapshot: The Evolution of Plant-based Continues.” Both dairy and meat plant-based alternatives are forecast to grow through 2024, driven almost entirely by millennials and Generation Zs, who…
Kum & Go Launches New Made-to-Order Menu in Nebraska
Kum & Go is launching its new fresh food menu at stores in Omaha, Neb. and the surrounding metro area. The new made-to-order menu, which launched in Little Rock, Ark.-area stores this summer, includes grain bowls, premium meat and vegetables layered on fresh baked bread, blended smoothies, cold brew frappés, and more. “Inspired by our…
7-Eleven Collaborates With Paqui and Liquid Death for New ‘One Slice Challenge’
Participating 7-Eleven stores are offering the One Slice Challenge while supplies last. Those brave enough to participate will choose to eat one slice of any 7-Eleven pizza topped with 7-Eleven’s proprietary 11-Pepper Sauce, a two-ounce bag of Paqui Haunted Ghost Pepper chips and a can of Liquid Death Mountain Water. 7-Eleven is asking fans to…
Freezer-to-Oven Croissants
General Mills Foodservice is introducing Pillsbury Freezer-to-Oven Croissants, which make it easy to bake consistently flaky, high-quality croissants in less than 30 minutes. The croissants go straight from the freezer to the oven and require no thawing or proofing — allowing operators to bake off fresh croissants with no advance planning. Featuring 48 flaky layers, […]
Cumberland Farms Opens New ‘Farmhouse Fresh To Go’ Store in Connecticut
Cumberland Farms opened its new location at 1680 Straits Turnpike in Middlebury, Conn., on Thursday, Sept. 30. The new store features the company’s innovative design, equipment and menu — all of which were created to expand the food choices and enhance the guest experience. Spanning more than 4,400 square feet, the Straits Turnpike location will…
Essential Fresh Seal Artisan Bread Packaging
The Essential Baking Co. has introduced its Essential Fresh Seal (EFS) Concept using Modify Atmosphere Packaging, which offers a 180-day shelf life from production, allowing for 100-plus days of shelf life at delivery — never frozen — in a category that usually has three to five days of shelf life once thawed. Due to their […]
From Dayparts to Killowatts, NACS Panels Say Focus on the Customer
If you’re in the convenience retail world, you’ve doubtless heard it many times: “The customer is always right.” In today’s digitally connected marketplace, technology and more demanding consumers seem to have called for an update to that old cliche: “The customer expects better.” That theme was the common thread that ran through a pair of…
Core-Mark Unveils Comprehensive Beverage Program
To better capitalize on the growing ready-to-drink beverage trend, Core-Mark International is launching My Daily Crave, a comprehensive in-store beverage program offering dozens of customized, pour-your-own drink options that address every possible consumer taste and craving. As consumer preferences for ready-to-drink beverage options continue to broaden, analysts predict the market will increase by more than 6%…
Hispanic Flavors Come Into Focus
Mexican foods like burritos and tacos have long been popular menu items, but c-stores are expanding further with other Hispanic or Latinx foods, like empanadas, tamales and more. Fresh ingredients and customization take the offer up a notch. Jacksonville, Fla.-based Gate Petroleum’s GATE Fresh Kitchen stores serve a variety of items made fresh every day,…
Final NACS Education Sessions Address Seltzer Spike, Foodservice Consistency
On Thursday, Oct. 6, at the 2021 National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) Show in Chicago, educational sessions provided convenience retailers with key insights on a range of topics to help them better compete. Cold Vault in 2021: Trends and Takeaways The cold vault of 2021 is vastly different from the cold vault of 20…