Retail Foodservice Roundup: Casey’s food focus, 7-Eleven’s hot sandwiches, a grocery sushi lawsuit and more

Food stars in Casey’s new three-year plan

Convenience-store chain Casey’s recently released its three-year strategic plan. It should come as little surprise to anyone who follows the industry that foodservice growth is key to its strategy.  

In fact, “accelerating food and beverage” is the first of the Ankeny, Iowa-based retailer’s three key priorities. The company said it intends to continue investing in its made-to-order foods like pizza and chicken wings, while also expanding its private-label offerings.  

“Our food business is at the center of Casey’s three-year growth strategy and continues to be one of our strongest differentiators,” Chief Merchandising Officer Tom Brennan said in a statement. “Prepared foods and nonalcoholic beverages are driving strong inside sales, and we’re continuing to build on the loyalty we’ve earned through our more than 40 years in the pizza business with new offerings like wings and fries.” 

As we previously reported, Casey’s said it sees ongoing opportunity in chicken wings, with plans to expand the popular item systemwide.  

“In Des Moines, where wings have been available for more than a year, sales are up 20% year over year, reinforcing the significant opportunity we see as we expand the platform across our nearly 3,000 stores and further establish Casey’s as a food destination,” Brennan added.  

Other strategic priorities for Casey’s include adding at least 400 stores in existing and new markets (through both acquisitions and new-store development) along with enhanced operational efficiency via investments in technology and data-driven tools.  

7-Eleven adds hot sandwich lineup

As much of the country is sweltering under a heat wave, c-store giant 7-Eleven is jumping on the bandwagon with a new lineup of hot sandwiches at its 7-Eleven, Strips and Speedway stores.  

New items include the spicy Hot as Fire (Hot AF!) Chicken Sandwich, Angus Double Cheeseburger, The Classic Philly Cheesesteak and Homestyle Chicken Sandwich. All retail for between $4.99 and $5.99.  

7-Eleven’s Raise the Roost restaurants are featuring a limited-time Ultimate BBQ Chicken Sandwich for $5.  

San Diego files a grocery store sushi lawsuit

The County of San Diego recently filed a labor enforcement lawsuit against several companies that make grocery store sushi, alleging that in-store sushi chefs were cheated out of pay, overtime wages and other workplace protections.  

At issue are companies contracted by grocery stores to provide fresh sushi and other ready-to-eat meals, which classify sushi chefs as independent contractor “franchisees.”  

But, according to the lawsuit, the workers are franchisees in name only.  

“The workers were not truly operating independent businesses,” according to a San Diego County press release. “The workers ended up with no business-owner rights and were cheated out of basic employee rights guaranteed under California law, as well as being forced to pay business expenses the companies should have paid.” 

Many workers were found to be toiling more than 50 hours per week at a single store, with some forced to endure 70-hour work weeks, the investigation found.  

The county is asking the court to put an end to the misclassification practices, while also paying the workers back wages and ensuring other protections.  

Central Market debuts ‘renewed culinary experience’ 

Central Market, the upscale banner from beloved Texas grocer H-E-B, showed off a renovated foodservice area at its Broadway store in San Antonio.  

The remodeled department displays the full range of grocery prepared foods offerings, essentially becoming a food hall in the middle of the supermarket.  

There’s a bakery with an artisan bread wall and house-made tortillas. Shoppers can select from the self-serve olive and Mediterranean foods bar, as well as a full-sized salad bar and soup bar. There are enhanced burger and sandwich options, as well as grab-and-go selections such as breakfast tacos, salads and sandwiches. An in-store café serves coffee, smoothies and house-made gelato.