Dive Brief:
- EG America, the U.S. division of EG Group, has launched new grab-and-go and snacking programs at all 1,500 of its convenience stores, according to a company announcement.
- The snacking program, Sensible Snacks, features several new varieties, including Calbee Harvest Snaps, Jackson’s Sweet Potato Chips, Hippeas Chickpea Puffs and Lesser Evil Popcorn. EG America has also debuted an “express case” that’s filled with fresh sandwiches and snacks from national brands like Chobani, Sabra, Hillshire Farm and Kings Hawaiian. Both offerings debuted on Memorial Day.
- EG America has made multiple changes to its foodservice programs in recent months, starting when it tapped Wawa’s longtime food and beverage director to spearhead this part of the business.
Dive Insight:
EG America immediately introduced new foodservice concepts after naming Mendy Meriwether its new vice president of food, dispensed beverage and QSR last October. Those included new burger, pizza and chicken wing QSRs that launched at a Cumberland Farms in Massachusetts.
But despite the progress in made-to-order foodservice, the retailer was quiet on the grab-and-go front.
Now, EG America is leaning into the variety of snacks in its portfolio, which “has always been a popular selling point” with guests, Mark Kurland, senior category manager for center store, said in the announcement.
“We’re confident our Sensible Snacks program will give our guests even more mindful snack options that are not only easy to find and convenient, but also reasonably priced,” Kurland said.
All EG America-owned convenience stores, which are scattered across 30 states, are offering a buy-one-get-one 50% off promotion on all Sensible Snacks through June 24. Besides Cumberland Farms, EG America’s c-store network includes Fastrac, Tom Thumb, Loaf N’Jug, Turkey Hill and several other banners.
EG America Chief Operating Officer Elizabeth Pierce said in an interview with C-Store Dive last month that the company was leveraging its culinary center to innovate in all of its food programs. When asked how the company intends to balance made-to-order versus grab-and-go, Pierce said that’s entirely depended on each market.
“It’s not a one size fits all,” Pierce said. “You need to look at the particular location, the demographics, the footfall, and then you have to apply the right offer to those metrics.”
