Grocerant Guru's articles

  1. Channel: Convenience
  Wawa’s $5 Big Breakfast Deal Redefines Value, Speed & Convenience Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® knows a winning foodservice formula when he sees one, and Wawa’s latest move is set to shake up the breakfast game. From February 17 through March 24, Wawa is rolling out its unbeatable $5 […]
  1. Department & Category
  RaceTrac Inc. continues to expand its foodservice menu, but rather than leveraging its platform to propel the industry forward with fresh, consumer-relevant food trends, the retailer remains anchored in legacy offerings that reflect consumer familiarity according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The latest example? Taco Pizza—a fusion of […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  The restaurant industry is set to maintain its upward trajectory, outpacing other food retail sectors and solidifying its role as a dominant force in the U.S. economy. After surpassing $1 trillion in sales for the first time in 2024, the National Restaurant Association projects an even stronger 2025, with sales expected to hit $1.5 […]
  1. Department & Category
  Interactive, participatory fresh food experiences—particularly those featuring hand-held food for immediate consumption—continue to captivate consumers across all demographics, especially Millennials seeking discovery. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, brands that fuse dining with immersive entertainment are driving innovation and securing long-term consumer engagement. Topgolf is a prime example of […]
  1. Channel: Dollar/Value
  In the competitive food industry, Lidl and Aldi have emerged as formidable players, leveraging innovative strategies to capture market share from traditional grocery retailers. These German discount chains have attracted consumers by emphasizing time savings, fresh food offerings, product discovery, and mix-and-match bundling, all while rapidly expanding their store footprints. Time Savings Aldi and […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Digital hand-held technology, specifically smartphones, has driven a decline in traditional network TV viewing, reshaping how and where consumers eat, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer behavior evolves, the perceived value of a product or brand can shift. The team at Foodservice Solutions® understands that consumers are […]
  1. Data & Insights
  In today’s dynamic food retail landscape, relevance drives trial and adoption according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer preferences evolve, food retailers must continually seek the “new electricity” to propel their brand forward. But what exactly is this new electricity? According to industry expert Johnson, “Brand relevance […]
  1. Department & Category
  The line between restaurants and food retailers is growing ever thinner. The battle for America’s food dollars has intensified as consumers embrace fresh, prepared, ready-2-eat (RTE) and heat-n-eat (HNE) options available across a rapidly expanding spectrum of retail channels. Convenience stores, chain drug stores, grocery stores, club stores, mass merchandisers, vending machines, and even […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  What do consumers think a Grocerant is? According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the man who coined the term “Grocerant,” it is “any retail food item that is fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat.” Traditionally, these items have been found in grocery store service delis, convenience store prepared food […]
  1. Department: Food
  The restaurant industry has long relied on food marketing calendars to drive menu innovation, seasonal promotions, and consumer engagement according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. But in a politically charged environment where tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating commodity prices loom large, menu planning in TRUMP 2.0 could […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  In today’s hyper-competitive restaurant landscape, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction walk hand-in-hand. Yet, labor costs—a significant part of operating expenses—sit at the heart of every restaurant’s service and pricing strategy according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. At the intersection of service quality and price sensitivity, restaurants either win […]
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  Amazon’s ambitious foray into food—spanning convenience stores, ultra-fast delivery, no-checkout technology, and Amazon Fresh grocery stores—may now be quietly winding down according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Industry speculation suggests Amazon may consolidate its food efforts under the Whole Foods brand, with a potential spinoff looming on the […]