Retail Foodservice Roundup: Kwik Trip’s food earns acclaim, deli prepared foods keep growing and more

Kwik Trip’s food program gets a gold star

La Crosse, Wisconsin-based convenience-store chain Kwik Trip has once again taken top honors for c-store food, according to a USA Today consumer poll.  

It’s the second year in a row the chain has won the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for best gas station food and the seventh consecutive year it has been crowned best gas station brand. The publication called out the 850-store chain’s fresh-baked items, as well as its assortment of prepared burritos, pizza, salads, soups and fried chicken, “all of which are fairly priced and made with high-quality ingredients.” 

Kwik Trip also recently earned the Black Pearl Award from the International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) for its commitment to company-owned production facilities, distribution centers and more, providing direct oversight of food traceability and quality standards.  

Deli prepared foods keep outpacing restaurants 

In April, prepared foods sales at grocery delis rose 1.5% in dollar sales and 1% in units over the prior year, while restaurant trips declined 1% during the period, according to Circana data. For the latest 52 weeks, deli prepared foods were up 3.7% in dollar sales to $31.8 billion and 3.2% in total units sold, the researcher said.  

Biggest winners in April included entrees (including sushi), appetizers and combo meals, while side dishes, breakfast and desserts saw sales declines during the month.  

double kwik adds online ordering

Convenience chain double kwik (cq-lowercase) partnered with tech company Lula Direct to add online ordering of made-to-order foods and other products.  

Customers of the family-owned c-store chain with about 40 stores across eastern Kentucky and southwest Virginia can now see what’s in stock, access promotions and place orders via the double kwik app, while also earning rewards points.  

Consumer confidence takes a nosedive

Consumer sentiment fell to a record low in May, according to the latest numbers from the University of Michigan’s Surveys of Consumers. The index fell to 44.8, down significantly from 49.8 at the end of April. In April 2020, at the height of the pandemic, the index stood at 71.8.  

Rising gas prices and inflation fears appear to be fueling the trend, researchers said.  

Taking a glass-half-full approach, though, could this potentially signal good news for retail foodservice? Now’s the time for c-stores to pitch those compelling value offers to try to steal some more share from restaurants.  

Whole Foods Market Daily Shop expands

Whole Foods Market continues to expand its smaller-format Daily Shop concept, with plans to open new stores in Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia over the next two years, the Amazon-owned grocer announced.  

The concept is geared toward dense urban neighborhoods, with a curated selection of grab-and-go options as well as pantry staples and meal-time essentials.  

Stores are designed with convenience in mind, with a focus on local and regional suppliers offering prepared foods, fresh produce, bakery items and more.  

Daily Shop launched in New York City in 2024 and has expanded to eight sites.