Retail Foodservice Roundup: Regional grocer adds a kid’s meal, Circle K dives into brand collab and more

Stew Leonard’s targets its tiniest shoppers—and their parents 

Credit eight-unit grocery chain Stew Leonard’s for a grocery foodservice innovation we’ve never seen before.  

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based grocer just rolled out a kid’s meal, stealing a big page from the fast-food playbook.  

The Stew’s Kids Meals come with chicken nuggets, fries, a juice box and a “surprise” for $6. (A standard McDonald’s Happy Meal will run mom and dad between $5.89 and $7.29 depending on store location and choice of entrée, according to a quick Google search.) And, just like the Golden Arches, the Stew Leonard’s meal comes in a cute, totable box, designed by the grocer’s art director to look like a little red barn.  

Circle K notches its first major brand collaboration 

Restaurant chains have long partnered with CPG companies for dual-branded menu items. (See McDonald’s + Hershey McFlurries and other desserts or IHOP teaming up with Oreo on pancakes, waffles and milkshakes.) 

Now convenience retailer Circle K is getting in on the action.  

Earlier this month, the chain announced its first hot food collaboration with a major brand, debuting Flamin’ Hot boneless wings in partnership with PepsiCo/Frito-Lay.  

Circle K gets exclusive rights to sell the wings for the next six weeks or so, before they expand to other retail outlets in September.  

The company called the move a big step toward its strategy to “deliver culturally relevant and must-try food and beverage options.” 

Circle K said it hopes the rollout drives visits from customers looking to try a spicy, shareable meal.  

“We’re always listening to our customers and know they’re looking for bolder, spicier flavors, so teaming up with Frito-Lay on this first-of-its-kind Flamin’ Hot menu offering was a no-brainer," said Gary Brant, vice president of Food, U.S., for Circle K. "This partnership is a perfect example of where we’re taking the food experience at Circle K. It sets a new benchmark for the kind of exciting flavors customers can expect from us.” 

Kroger gets fancy with its new in-store wine shops 

Grocery Kroger is launching nearly 150 in-store wine shops around the country, complete with tasting bars and an expanded selection of premium bottles, according to media reports.  

An early launch calls for Wine Shops in 14 Kroger stores, with the first debuting earlier this month in Newport, Kentucky.  

The grocer, in a statement, said it is seeing growing consumer demand for “affordable premium and luxury wines.” 

The stores-within-the-stores replace traditional wine aisles, adding upgraded refrigerated cases and displays. The tasting bar is staffed by a trained wine steward, according to reports.  

Marley Spoon blurs the foodservice lines 

Direct-to-consumer meal kit brand Marley Spoon is heading to grocery stores for the first time.  

The move comes just a few months after FreshRealm, the company that provides Marley Spoon’s meal kits, filed for bankruptcy protection.  

Marley Spoon called its move into ShopRite grocery stores in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut and Delaware a “significant expansion beyond e-commerce and into the refrigerated prepared foods aisle.” 

The launch includes four heat-and-eat meals: Creamy Tuscan Style Chicken, Honey Bourbon Glazed Meatloaf, Hickory Smoked Pulled Pork Loin and Grilled Chicken Bacon Mac & Cheese. Each has a suggested retail price of $7.99.