Because today's consumers love quick, convenient meal options, foodservice operators have a passport to profits when using a food merchandiser. The reality, though, is not all food displays are created equal. From the case itself to how foods are presented, it's crucial to learn the art of arranging a grab-and-go food display to increase profits.
Customers love grab-n-go sections. For food merchandisers, this means customers can help themselves. They only need to ask more about your labor, as grab-and-go cases allow customers to serve themselves. Where that is not the case, the labor food merchandisers employ is still more efficient than in a made-to-order situation, as they need only positive interaction with the customer while serving the item.
Grab-and-go became vital during the early pandemic when speed-of-service was critical to minimizing potential exposure. Today's consumers are still reliant on those conveniences. Add the significant labor shortage problem, and it's easy to see why the convenience of grab-n-go or serve-n-go foodservice has become advantageous to both customers and operators. That's why food merchandisers continue to drive profits.
For food merchandisers ready to embrace or increase grab-n-go profits, knowing how to create an optimal grab-and-go section is vital to success. Food merchandisers should focus on three main things: convenience for the customer, popular and profitable foods, and ease of use for foodservice staff working with grab-n-go or serve-n-go products.
To make this happen, food merchandisers should consider the following when arranging their grab-n-go cases for grab-n-go profits:
Time of Day: If the establishment is open all day, as many convenience stores, diners, grocers, and cafés are, the staff should cycle out the grab-n-go options depending on the daypart. They should consider breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack items and analyze which are most popular with customers during each time of the day.
Customer Preferences: What is the customer base like? Are they business people who want a quick snack with their coffee in the morning or families coming in for a Sunday brunch with kids who want fun-looking cupcakes on their way out? When food merchandisers answer these questions, they can use the answers as data to populate grab-n-go displays and increase grab-n-go profits.
Convenience and Visibility: Customers who use grab-n-go options are on the go. They're just popping in for something fast, or they're on their way out and may make an impulse decision to buy. Food merchandisers should ensure their grab-n-go options are easy to access and find as soon as the customer enters.
Additionally, food merchandisers can maximize grab-n-go profits by creating an eye-catching display (let the staff be creative, and don't forget holidays), providing various options, and making sure the food in the case looks and stays fresh.
To maximize grab-n-go profits, food merchandisers should consider the ideal display cases for the needs of their foodservice business. Federal Industries' Italian glass bakery and deli display cases provide modern options in refrigerated, non-refrigerated, and self-serve glass case options. Click below to learn more!