The Expanding Beverage Needs of C-Store Customers
Sally Ray, Senior Director of Marketing, Hoshizaki America Inc.Q&A with Sally Ray, Senior Director of Marketing, Hoshizaki America Inc.
How has c-store foodservice evolved in recent years?
Sally Ray: When a c-store can be a meal destination beyond a fuel stop, that is when owners will see a huge uptick in sales. Industry wide, there has been a continued increase in fresh food offerings in c-stores because it just makes sense. Profit margins for foodservice averages 52%, which is significantly more than fuel or other retail items. Prepared food made in the store makes up 68% of total foodservice sales, according to the 2022 NACS State of the Industry Report.
Talk about how beverage needs have expanded in this segment.
SR: Beverage dispensers have become more advanced, giving customers their choice of ice as well as dozens of drink flavor combinations. The variety, along with refillable cups, entices customers to make that extra purchase; c-store owners know that the profit margins of dispensed beverages far exceed that of
prepackaged drinks.
According to NACS SOI Report, “cold dispensed beverages experienced the largest gross profit dollar increase of all foodservice categories in 2022, rising 12% year over year.” Customers want variety, however, and that means both dispensed and packaged beverages.
What solutions does Hoshizaki provide to help elevate c-store foodservice programs?
SR: Many c-stores now have ice machines behind a wall so only the dispenser shows, giving them more wall space for a clean design and signage. Some c-stores even use another ice machine on a bin for bagging ice.
Hoshizaki also has a full line of glass door merchandisers for the display of packaged beverages, foods, and even frozen items. Like grocery stores, c-stores are putting those cold beverage options at the checkout counter, satisfying impulse purchases.
Hoshizaki offers both cuber and cubelet ice machines on beverage applications.For the foodservice area, Hoshizaki prep tables are a great way to keep all your ingredients at your fingertips, and chef bases offer handy refrigerated storage just below your charbroilers or griddles. Frequently, additional refrigerated space will be needed to store inventory of commissary items, so the customer-facing shelves remain stocked.
What sets this equipment apart?
SR: Hoshizaki is known for quality, reliability, and innovation. Our crescent cuber ice machines make ice in half as many cycles as competitor machines, which means much longer equipment life. With remote monitoring options and multiple ice types, Hoshizaki is an easy choice for c-stores.
Our merchandisers come in seven different sizes from 7 to 65 cu. ft. for a perfect fit no matter what size store. With a robust refrigeration offering and one of the most extensive warranties in the industry, Hoshizaki equipment is built to help operators succeed.
What are the advantages and benefits of this equipment?
SR: Hoshizaki America has a team of engineers, innovators, product experts, service agents and more in Peachtree City, Ga., who work hard every day to make sure that quality and dependability are built into each product that we offer. The details matter, which is why we spend the time to design each refrigeration system, door handle and air filter with our customers in mind.
