Consumers are increasingly looking for expanded food and beverage offerings from their favorite C-stores, and operators are responding. However, accommodating an influx of new products comes with a challenge: the physical footprints of most C-stores remain static.
In this article, we provide practical advice for C-store operators in need of more space and tidier countertops. We’ll also offer USA-made product recommendations that will quickly give your space the aesthetic and organizational upgrade it needs to compete.
Expanding Service With Limited Counter Space
With C-stores upping their foodservice game to directly compete with Quick Service Restaurants (QRS), it’s time to think of countertops as valuable pieces of in-store real estate. The key to success lies in intelligent design and the adoption of simple, yet innovative, merchandising and dispensing solutions for this space.
Strategy: Move Up, Not Out
Vertical dispensers are the ideal solution for using space wisely and creating clean and organized counters for your customers as they go about their day. The more products and accoutrements you can tastefully accommodate, the better.
Countertop Coffee Sleeve Organizer
Present a pristine coffee area with a countertop sleeve organizer. This solution holds and dispenses coffee sleeves with ease, making quick work of efficient self-service. Compact and tall, each organizer fits 100 sleeves.
- ABS plastic construction offers durability
- Vertical build saves valuable counter space
- Made in the USA
Vertical Countertop Lid & Straw Holder Cabinet
Keep your self-service station clean and tidy while maximizing counter space. This cabinet is made of mar- and fingerprint-resistant thermoplastic that is incredibly strong and easy to keep clean. Designed to ensure easy reloading and self-service, this dispenser cabinet provides convenience for both your staff and your customers, all while saving valuable counter space.
- Accommodates lids up to 4-7/8″ in diameter and straws up to 12″ in length
- Constructed from heavy-duty thermoplastic that stands up to frequent use
- Made in the USA
Strategy: Tiered Displays
The next way to present products attractively and accessibly without monopolizing valuable counter space is by using tiered displays. Instead of laying products flat, which consumes a large footprint, using tiered displays allows more products to be showcased in the same horizontal space.
9-Compartment Countertop Condiment Organizer With Removable Black Plastic Pans
Instead of an array of squeeze bottles or individual servers, operators can invest in vertical condiment stations like this nine-compartment countertop organizer. The ABS plastic and smoked-acrylic construction is equally sleek and durable, promising years of use. Additionally, the open-tiered design ensures easy access for your customers and fast refilling for your staff.
- 3 x 3 design maximizes space
- Removable black plastic pans offer additional convenience
- Made in the USA
4-Tier Acrylic Display Case With Front Access
The 4-tier knockdown display case by Vollrath displays your baked goods and room-temperature prepared products beautifully. Made of clear, heavy-gauge acrylic, this countertop case assembles in minutes and ensures great product visibility. Each of the four tiers includes a black tray and a self-closing door, which allows easy access while acting as a sneeze guard. Additionally, rubber feet prevent movement and protect countertops.
- Front doors allow quick access for both customers and staff
- Made in the USA
- Four black 14″ x 18″ trays are included
Countertop LidSaver With Straw & Condiment Organizer
Save space and money with the Countertop LidSaver and Organizer with six additional compartments for straws and condiments. This NSF-certified product provides one-at-a-time lid dispensing, which prevents contamination associated with excessive handling. The one-at-a-time dispensing mechanism also saves you money on inventory, as excess won’t spill out onto the counter.
- Accommodates lids 2-3/4″ to 4-3/4″ and straws up to 10-1/4″ L
- One-piece construction provides durability and allows for easy cleaning
- Made in the USA
Winning the Foodservice Battle Starts on the Countertop
C-store operators can transform their limited counter space into a highly efficient and visually appealing hub by adopting vertical and tiered merchandising and dispensing solutions.
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Quality. Efficiency. Cost-effectiveness. These goals aren’t unique to just one industry. From schools to hospitals to hotels and beyond, the goal is to provide the highest quality meal possible for staff and customers. And for more than 150 years, Vollrath has been there to assist foodservice teams in every industry, every step of the way.
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