Offering hot food in-store can feel like a giant undertaking. For operators of supermarkets and petrol stations, hot food has traditionally not been at the core of what they offer. However, as consumer demand grows for convenience, more and more retailers are being expected to act and think like food operators.
This can be daunting, but with the right guidance and a clear plan, you can confidently take the first steps into food-to-go and reap the rewards.
Why offer food-to-go?
Food-to-go generates a new, highly profitable revenue stream for retailers. Offering hot food can increase foot traffic in-store, boost transactional spend and frequency of visits.
According to the AACS 2023 State of the Industry report, food sales generated a whopping 1.34 billion in 2022, that’s a 12% increase in sales growth!
The sight and smell of hot chips or freshly prepared meat pies incites impulse purchases, and can make your operation not just a place to get groceries or fuel, but a destination for great food around the clock.
How to get started with food-to-go
To succeed in food-to-go and build a loyal customer base, food needs to be fresh and high quality. A variety of menu items need to be on offer that appeal to your customer base. All backed by fast service.
So how do you achieve this? Here is our top tips to getting started:
1. Decide on a menu before you purchase equipment
Often businesses will purchase more equipment than they need, or equipment that is not fit for purpose. Creating a menu first ensures you are set up for success and don’t overspend.
Consider your current customers, and the type of customers you are wanting to attract.
Who are they, and what type of foods do they like? What times of day are they most likely to frequent? For example, are you close to a high school, that would attract students before and after school?
With the development of new housing estates and increased construction in the area, supermarket Country Grocers saw potential in food-to-go and appealing to hungry tradies. Investing in the Perfect Fry automated fryer and Flexeserve hot display cabinet, they increased their food-to-go sales by 41% in just six months.
2. Start with a small number of menu items and do them well
Perfect your product quality and consistency before expanding your menu. Consumers are naturally drawn to high quality products, they know are always readily available. As opposed to an ever-changing menu with average tasting options. Developing a reputation for the best hot beef roll or cinnamon scroll in town will keep your customers coming in, and allow you to cut down on associated costs with offering an overcomplicated menu.
Remember, you don’t need to do all the cooking yourself. With so many quality pre-cooked and prepared menu options available today from food distributors.
3. Choose automated equipment to reduce reliance on staff
The majority of retailers are not blessed with large commercial kitchens and a trained Chef (although it is gaining popularity).
But don’t let it put you off.
With the right equipment and processes, you can offer delicious food with minimal disruption to your business as usual.
Equipment that is more automated, and process driven, will allow you to reduce reliance on staff and offer more consistent and better quality food. Look to automated, benchtop equipment that can be conveniently placed behind a service counter, such as ventless deep fryers, commercial toasted sandwich makers, speed ovens, potato ovens and pizza ovens.
Many of these options are plug and play, and are versatile, allowing you to cook a wide range of menu items.
4. Seek advice on your packaging
Packaging has a significant impact on food shelf life, taste, texture and presentation. The right packaging will better preserve food quality and make it last longer, which all has major implications to your bottom line.
Food items with condensation, sweating, or is squashed or leaking, are unappealing and are less likely to be picked up and purchased. Meris can assist you with selecting the best packaging for your food-to-go offer, and additionally offers product testing to help you make an informed decision of the best packaging for your business.
5. Engage your staff
Staff play a big role in the success of food-to-go.
Equipment that is clunky and hard to use will put staff off using it and may stall the success of your offer.
Investing in equipment that is reliable, easy to use and clean will assist you with getting more buy in from staff. Training is also important. Meris offers in-person and ongoing training, with 24/7 access to training and troubleshooting videos and support tools.
Conclusion
Success with food-to-go means retailers must do things differently, including the equipment they use and the processes and staff skills they call on. But this doesn’t have to be challenging when you have the right team behind you.
Meris provides not only equipment but also guidance from our expert team. Supported by our in-house Development Chef, our team offers menu development, packaging and merchandising, staff training and process development – everything you need to get started and successfully launch your food-to-go business.
Whether it’s an informal chat about your current offering, or to book a complimentary consultation, get in touch today. Call us at 1800 265 771 or fill out our contact form.
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