3 major c-store chains make foodservice updates

Dive Brief:

GPM Investments, the c-store arm of Arko, has switched to Nathan’s hot dogs at more than 450 locations, according to a Wednesday announcement from the company. It will consider adding Nathan’s hot dogs to other sites in the future, a company spokesperson said in email.
Additionally, both 7-Eleven and Casey’s announced new food items on Wednesday — ultimate pepperoni pizza for the former and BBQ pulled pork pizza and King’s Hawaiian pulled pork sliders for the latter company.
All three c-stores are among the cohort of convenience retailers looking to grow their foodservice sales and compete with QSRs.

Dive Insight:

More people are considering c-store food, but only 19% visit them because of the quality of their menus, according to a report this month from insights platform Coca-Cola Lens. Convenience retailers like these three are trying to change that perception with more diverse fresh offerings and higher quality products.

GPM Investments has been focused on improving its foodservice in the past year, expanding its QSR partnerships and bringing in industry veteran Richard Guidry to fill the new role of senior vice president of food service.

Arko updated its hot dogs to 100% beef Nathan’s franks.

Permission granted by Arko Corporation

“We’re dedicated to offering our customers high-quality food options, and exclusively selling Nathan’s Famous allows us to take that commitment a step further,” said Arie Kotler, president and CEO of Arko, in a statement.

Casey’s, meanwhile, will only offer its pulled pork items for a limited time. The sliders and pizza both include slow-smoked meat, thick-cut pickles and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce. The pizza is also topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese, bacon and red onion.

The sliders cost $6.49 while the large pizza is $16.99.

These limited-time options are an attempt “to deliver the combinations our guests crave,” said Tom Brennan, Casey’s chief merchandising officer, with this offering targeting “the sweet and savory tastes you'd expect from a summer BBQ.”

Finally, 7-Eleven’s ultimate pepperoni pizza uses 30% more pepperoni than its pepperoni pizza and a cheese blend that includes mozzarella, Parmesan and provolone cheese.