Brought to you by Ovention.

It’s that time of the year again– pumpkin spice season. Frenzied fall-mania is in full swing, thanks to the 78% of consumers who consider seasonal dishes to be a treat.¹ And luckily for a c-store’s foodservice program’s bottom line, 42% of consumers are willing to pay more for a seasonal dish.²

Beyond pumpkin spice, there are plenty of foods that take well to seasonal flavors, making it easy to infuse menus with the seasonal treats and items that customers will clamor for every year.

• Sandwiches: Thirty-three percent of consumers say seasonal flavors evoke warmth.³ Warm up diners with toasted crunchy bread and melted cheese. Menu roasted turkey with cranberry and Brie for lunch, and at dinner, offer ham with caramelized onion and apple spread, topped with Gruyere—a perfect pre-packaged to-go item.
• Roasted veggies: Thirty-nine percent of consumers say seasonal offerings are special.⁴ Seasonal veggie sides can make a dish distinct, especially if you’re cooking with fresh or local produce. Repurpose roasted root vegetables or crispy Brussels sprouts (and bacon!) into toppers for avocado toast, tacos, breakfast burritos or grain bowls.
• Pizza: Pumpkin spice pizza anyone? It actually exists. Thirty percent of consumers say seasonal items make them happy,⁵ so satisfy customers by giving them freedom to customize their pizza with whatever toppings they desire. Inspire them with spiced goat cheese and dried cranberry, turkey and butternut squash or sweet potato and bacon.
• Pies & pastries: It’s not fall without pie! Pie is undeniably comforting– a feeling that 39% of consumers feel when enjoying seasonal items.⁶ Bake mini treats with apple, berry or pecan filling. From breakfast until late night, provide handheld snacks to on-the-go shoppers looking to indulge in autumn flavors.

To increase foodservice check averages, bundle seasonal beverages with fresh prepared menu items. More than half of millennial and Gen Z consumers prefer their seasonal ingredients in a coffee drink.⁷ Seasonal coffee keeps visitors coming back—during the span of an LTO, 20% of pumpkin-spice latte buyers purchased the drink twice, according to NPD Group. Rotate signature seasonal drinks with fresh-prepared items to create interest for your regulars.

Delivering customized orders fast without compromising taste or quality is key for success, and it’s all possible with Ovention Ovens. It’s the only line of ovens to ensure high yield and ultimate freshness. Control time, temperature and independent blower speeds for every item. Precision Impingement® Technology uses hot air for a fast, high-quality cook without microwaves. These ventless ovens’ closed cavities lock in heat with no need for ventilation, which means reduced energy costs for you. With up to 1,000 preprogrammed cook settings, operators can stage each item to its individual specifications– cutting down both prep and cook times. See what these ovens can do on YouTube and connect with Ovention on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.

1-7: Mintel
 

MINNEAPOLIS — On Aug. 4, 2017, the Minneapolis City Council voted 10-2 to adopt an ordinance banning the sale of menthol cigarettes and mint and wintergreen smokeless tobacco products at all retail stores except tobacco shops and licensed liquor stores. The ban will affect more than 200 retail stores beginning Aug. 1, 2018.

Prior to the adoption of the ordinance, a study was conducted by Management Science Associates on the potential economic impact of the menthol, mint and wintergreen sales restrictions. The study reached the following conclusions:

1. Menthol cigarettes currently account for 43% of total cigarette volume and 88% of total menthol tobacco volume in Minneapolis.
2. The convenience-store channel represents 73% of menthol-cigarette volume in Minneapolis. Together, tobacco outlets and liquor stores comprise only 9% of menthol-cigarette volume.
3. In the United States, 35% of convenience stores’ in-store revenue comes from tobacco. Tobacco is a convenience stores’ second-largest source of in-store gross-margin dollars.
4. It is estimated that Minneapolis convenience stores would lose $36.7 million to $39.9 million annually in menthol, mint and wintergreen tobacco sales and ancillary in-store purchases.
5. The average convenience store would lose between $238,000 and $259,000 in annual sales and incur a gross margin loss of $38,000 to $44,000 per store.
6. The average U.S. convenience store provides 15 jobs, split about equally between full- and part-time workers.
7. There are approximately 30 stores (excluding tobacco outlets) in Minneapolis that would close, and the other remaining stores in Minneapolis would cut employee hours in line with their lost menthol tobacco profits.
8. This loss of sales and store closures is estimated to negatively affect about 940 employees (a mix of full- and part-time jobs), or the equivalent of 630 full-time jobs.

This likely potential economic impact demonstrates why retailers that sell tobacco products need to engage in local advocacy to oppose such a sales restriction. A broad menthol, mint and wintergreen ban is not survivable by many small, family-owned convenience stores, and the result will be the closing of stores, the loss of investment in retail businesses and almost 1,000 employees terminated.

MINNEAPOLIS — On Aug. 4, 2017, the Minneapolis City Council voted 10-2 to adopt an ordinance banning the sale of menthol cigarettes and mint and wintergreen smokeless tobacco products at all retail stores except tobacco shops and licensed liquor stores. The ban will affect more than 200 retail stores beginning Aug. 1, 2018.

Prior to the adoption of the ordinance, a study was conducted by Management Science Associates on the potential economic impact of the menthol, mint and wintergreen sales restrictions. The study reached the following conclusions:

1. Menthol cigarettes currently account for 43% of total cigarette volume and 88% of total menthol tobacco volume in Minneapolis.
2. The convenience-store channel represents 73% of menthol-cigarette volume in Minneapolis. Together, tobacco outlets and liquor stores comprise only 9% of menthol-cigarette volume.
3. In the United States, 35% of convenience stores’ in-store revenue comes from tobacco. Tobacco is a convenience stores’ second-largest source of in-store gross-margin dollars.
4. It is estimated that Minneapolis convenience stores would lose $36.7 million to $39.9 million annually in menthol, mint and wintergreen tobacco sales and ancillary in-store purchases.
5. The average convenience store would lose between $238,000 and $259,000 in annual sales and incur a gross margin loss of $38,000 to $44,000 per store.
6. The average U.S. convenience store provides 15 jobs, split about equally between full- and part-time workers.
7. There are approximately 30 stores (excluding tobacco outlets) in Minneapolis that would close, and the other remaining stores in Minneapolis would cut employee hours in line with their lost menthol tobacco profits.
8. This loss of sales and store closures is estimated to negatively affect about 940 employees (a mix of full- and part-time jobs), or the equivalent of 630 full-time jobs.

This likely potential economic impact demonstrates why retailers that sell tobacco products need to engage in local advocacy to oppose such a sales restriction. A broad menthol, mint and wintergreen ban is not survivable by many small, family-owned convenience stores, and the result will be the closing of stores, the loss of investment in retail businesses and almost 1,000 employees terminated.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — As New Jersey officially raises the legal age for buying tobacco from 19 to 21, effective Nov. 1, a Chicago suburb is considering raising its minimum age of purchase from 18 to 21 as an alternative to totally banning tobacco sales.

The mayor of Elk Grove Village, Ill., had hoped to make his community the first in the country to ban tobacco sales, according to CBS Chicago. However, after discussion over the matter, only one or two members of the six-member board were leaning toward supporting the proposal, the mayor told the news source.

“I respect my board. I have nothing but the utmost respect. My board members were concerned about the impact on the businesses,” Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said in the CBS report. “I had a little more support than I had 10 years ago when I brought it up last time. So it might just not be the right time yet, but I’m not going to give up my efforts.”

Instead of pushing forward with his proposal, Johnson said he will ask the board to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. With hearings scheduled for November, he said that has a “very favorable outlook.”

Meanwhile in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law this past July raising the legal age to buy tobacco from 19 to 21. The law applies to tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, and it becomes effective Nov. 1.

So far, five states—California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon—have changed the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21.

ELK GROVE VILLAGE, Ill. — As New Jersey officially raises the legal age for buying tobacco from 19 to 21, effective Nov. 1, a Chicago suburb is considering raising its minimum age of purchase from 18 to 21 as an alternative to totally banning tobacco sales.

The mayor of Elk Grove Village, Ill., had hoped to make his community the first in the country to ban tobacco sales, according to CBS Chicago. However, after discussion over the matter, only one or two members of the six-member board were leaning toward supporting the proposal, the mayor told the news source.

“I respect my board. I have nothing but the utmost respect. My board members were concerned about the impact on the businesses,” Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson said in the CBS report. “I had a little more support than I had 10 years ago when I brought it up last time. So it might just not be the right time yet, but I’m not going to give up my efforts.”

Instead of pushing forward with his proposal, Johnson said he will ask the board to raise the minimum age to buy tobacco products from 18 to 21. With hearings scheduled for November, he said that has a “very favorable outlook.”

Meanwhile in New Jersey, Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill into law this past July raising the legal age to buy tobacco from 19 to 21. The law applies to tobacco products and electronic cigarettes, and it becomes effective Nov. 1.

So far, five states—California, Hawaii, Maine, New Jersey and Oregon—have changed the legal age to buy tobacco products to 21.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas attorney general has accused more than 100 fuel retailers of price gouging during the state of disaster declared for Hurricane Harvey.

The attorney general’s office received about 5,500 price-gouging complaints related to Hurricane Harvey, with many including evidence such as photos and receipts. The state’s Consumer Protection Division has sent violation notices to 127 Texas businesses, all accused of charging $3.99 or higher for a gallon of gasoline or diesel. Many are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

According to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), it is illegal for businesses to charge exorbitant prices for fuel or other necessities during a declared disaster. The law authorizes the attorney general to sue offenders for price gouging and seek refunds for consumers, as well as to enforce civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation. There are also extra fines of up to $250,000 for incidents involving a consumer who is 65 years or older.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott first declared states of disaster in some Texas counties on Aug. 23. As recently as Oct. 20, he had renewed his declaration in 60 counties.

“At the outset of Harvey, I made it clear that my office would not tolerate price gouging of vulnerable Texans by any individuals or businesses looking to profit from the hurricane,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement. “We’ve given 127 alleged offenders an opportunity to resolve these issues with our office or face possible legal action for violating state law. Our investigation of other businesses into price gouging remains ongoing.”

The violation notifications follow two lawsuits the attorney general’s office filed in September against two fuel retailers—one in the Dallas area and one outside of Laredo—for price gouging. Those cases cite prices as high as $9.99 per gallon.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas attorney general has accused more than 100 fuel retailers of price gouging during the state of disaster declared for Hurricane Harvey.

The attorney general’s office received about 5,500 price-gouging complaints related to Hurricane Harvey, with many including evidence such as photos and receipts. The state’s Consumer Protection Division has sent violation notices to 127 Texas businesses, all accused of charging $3.99 or higher for a gallon of gasoline or diesel. Many are located in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

According to the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (DTPA), it is illegal for businesses to charge exorbitant prices for fuel or other necessities during a declared disaster. The law authorizes the attorney general to sue offenders for price gouging and seek refunds for consumers, as well as to enforce civil penalties of up to $20,000 per violation. There are also extra fines of up to $250,000 for incidents involving a consumer who is 65 years or older.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott first declared states of disaster in some Texas counties on Aug. 23. As recently as Oct. 20, he had renewed his declaration in 60 counties.

“At the outset of Harvey, I made it clear that my office would not tolerate price gouging of vulnerable Texans by any individuals or businesses looking to profit from the hurricane,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a statement. “We’ve given 127 alleged offenders an opportunity to resolve these issues with our office or face possible legal action for violating state law. Our investigation of other businesses into price gouging remains ongoing.”

The violation notifications follow two lawsuits the attorney general’s office filed in September against two fuel retailers—one in the Dallas area and one outside of Laredo—for price gouging. Those cases cite prices as high as $9.99 per gallon.

Brought to you by Home Market Foods.

Grab-and-go options at convenience stores are the perfect meal solution for younger consumers who are busy, on the go, and don’t want to stop at the drive-thru.

According to Technomic’s 2016 Generational Consumer Trend Report, powered by Ignite, Gen Z represents about 15% of the population and is composed of people aged 23 and under—a significant portion of people who patronize c-stores. Older Gen Zers rely heavily on foodservice, so it’s important for c-stores to feature items that Gen Zers crave.

What’s more, younger consumers tend not to view roller-grill items as “gas-station food,” so retailers have the opportunity to draw in customers who want a quick, tasty snack or meal by offering unique items. To appeal to Gen Z, an emphasis on better-for-you items, trending flavors and convenience is key.

High-protein options for the health-conscious consumer

According to the Technomic report, 32% of Gen Zers say they would like to eat food cooked at home more often, but they just don’t have the time to do so. For these consumers, it’s important that they have a variety of healthy, satisfying options to choose from when they’re on the go. 

According to Technomic’s 2016 Healthy Eating Consumer Trend Report, 39% of consumers are more likely to buy and pay more for items that are high in protein at restaurants. Items that feature protein like chicken are particularly successful, as consumers are familiar with the flavors, and also often perceive chicken to be a healthier option than other choices. C-store retailers can apply that knowledge to their food offerings—and because high-protein foods may be more successful sellers, it can be a lucrative choice to offer several types of these items.

Innovative items for the roller grill

While hot dogs are the traditional roller-grill food offered at c-stores, more and more retail outlets are adding unique and innovative options from the roller grill that extend beyond what’s expected. 

Home Market Foods, the pioneer behind developing an alternative to the all-hot-dog roller grill, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its flame-broiled Cheeseburger RollerBites. Their new Burger Joint Cheeseburgers bring craveable, pub-style burger flavors to your roller grill like never before.

Roller grills now offer all-day meal and snacking options such as breakfast and ethnic sausages, egg rolls, taquitos, tamales, and a variety of protein-packed Chicken RollerBites (14 grams of protein and only 190 calories). By offering innovative items, operators can captivate younger consumers’ interest and enjoy more sales from the roller grill.

Craveable flavors

Fifty-nine percent of Gen Zers say that they like trying new flavors of food from time to time, according to the Technomic Generational report, so offering innovative and craveable flavor options from the roller grill is also important.

During breakfast, options such as maple-pancake sausage, hash browns and sausage, and chorizo are appealing, and for the rest of the day, bold and savory options such as Buffalo Ranch Chicken, Sriracha Chicken, and Cracked Black Pepper & Bleu Cheeseburger RollerBites can pique consumers’ interest. Retailers can offer certain varieties as LTOs, which are proven traffic drivers as well.

Serving ethnic options is also a great way to get Gen Zers’ attention. According to Technomic’s Generational report, older Gen Zers (ages 18-23) are more adventurous eaters than young Gen Zers (ages 13-17). By offering global flavors or spicy snack options, such as Bahama Mama Spicy German-Style Sausages, and other mega-trending, culture-specific flavors like Greek, Mexican, Thai, or ethnic BBQs, such as Korean, consumers who want something new and interesting will find what they’re looking for.

Comfort food and retro flavor trends are making a comeback as well. Roller-grill items in cheeseburger, corn dog, chicken and bacon club, and pizza varieties are all popular options to offer.

Younger consumers are more likely to try new flavors than older generations are, so operators have the freedom to offer a range of new and unique tastes.

Quick yet premium options

According to Technomic’s Generational report, low prices are most important to Gen Zers (compared to other generations), and roller-grill items offer a great value for those who are budget-conscious. And because 44% of Gen Zers say they purchase prepared foods at c-stores at least once a month, retailers should be sure to offer the items that Gen Zers want.

Beyond being quick, foods should be premium, too—made with quality ingredients that contribute to a great-tasting product. According to the Technomic Generational report, 64% of Gen Zers say they are more likely to purchase food and beverages that are premium, so retailers should be sure to promote food items that are premium.

MINNEAPOLIS — At the NATO Regional Education Seminar held Aug. 23, 2017, U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Tobacco Products Director Mitch Zeller announced a new FDA retail program called This Is Our Watch.

The primary purpose of the new program is to educate retailers on how to comply with the law and prevent the sale of tobacco products to minors. In his announcement, Zeller acknowledged the importance of retailers complying with the law and keeping tobacco out of the hands of minors to prevent underage use. In addition, Zeller said that even though there are other retail programs such as We Card, retailers have indicated to the FDA that they want the agency to explain how businesses need to comply with federal tobacco regulations.

The FDA’s This Is Our Watch program materials will be shipped at no charge to retailers across the country in November. Materials include a poster to display in stores plus five flyers, with each flyer containing regulation information on the different kinds of tobacco products (for example, cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, pipe tobacco and electronic cigarette/vapor products). 

Also, a flip calendar that stands up and is readable from two sides (one customer-facing and one retailer-facing) will assist retailers in verifying legal age. Supplementing these materials will be a retailer checklist for the verifying age of a customer and stickers of various sizes that can be placed on store doors, cash registers and other areas within the store to serve as a reminder to customers that identification will be needed to purchase tobacco products.

As a part of the process to develop This Is Our Watch materials, the FDA interviewed several retailers in three cities. During the interviews, retailers indicated that they are aware of their responsibility to ask for identification from customers, even if they do not know all of the specifics of the tobacco regulations. Also, retailers said they are comfortable asking customers for identification, saying that it is part of their job, they could lose their job if they do not ask for ID, and that “it’s just the right thing to do.”

During the interviews, retailers also responded that they believe the laws are “somewhat” to “very” effective at preventing youth from buying tobacco products, but most retailers thought that the same laws were less effective at preventing youth use of tobacco because they have other ways to obtain tobacco.

If retailers want to ensure that they receive these free FDA materials, they should send an e-mail with their name, store name, email address and store street mailing address to CTPOutreach@fda.hhs.gov with “Retailer Education Contact” in the subject line. To learn more about the This Is Our Watch program, click here.

NEW YORK — New York City will soon have the unique honor of being the most expensive U.S. city in which to buy cigarettes.

On Aug. 28, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed into law the city’s new minimum-pricing policy, which means the price of a pack of cigarettes will go up to at least $13 from $10.50—a 24% price increase—effective June 1, 2018, according to CBS News. This will make New York the most expensive place in the U.S. to buy cigarettes, according to CBS News, which cited city health-department statistics.

As part of a larger series of measures to reduce smoking in the city, the law also prohibits pharmacies from selling cigarettes, creates a new licensing fee for sellers of electronic cigarettes (almost double that of tobacco retailers at $200) and imposes smoking restrictions on apartment buildings, according to Bloomberg News.

The measures represent the city’s most aggressive public-health push against tobacco use since former Mayor Michael Bloomberg instituted a series of smoking bans in workplaces—including bars, restaurants and nightclubs—beginning in 2003, according to Bloomberg News. Former Mayor Bloomberg credited the anti-tobacco measures in his administration for increasing the average life expectancy in New York by three years during the 12 years in which the policies were in effect. (The former mayor is founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News’ parent, Bloomberg LP.)

Brittany Adams, a spokeswoman for RAI Services Co., a subsidiary of tobacco company Reynolds American Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C., told Bloomberg News that the mayor’s policy would only increase contraband cigarette sales.

“This ordinance will most likely only further exacerbate the illicit trade of cigarettes,” Adams said.

Richmond, Va.-based Altria Group Inc., which sells Marlboro, didn’t immediately have a comment on the price increase, Bloomberg reported.