In the ever-evolving landscape of American dining, value is king. Perkins American Food Co, with its rebrand from Perkins Restaurant & Bakery®, is making a bold move in the ongoing price war with the introduction of its Great American Trio. However, according to Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® the real question remains: how long can Perkins sustain this strategy amidst fierce competition? The Great American Trio: A Strategic Play Perkins’ latest offering, launching on July 19, is positioned as "America’s best value breakfast." The Great Amer ..read more

In the ever-evolving landscape of food marketing, Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that Chick-fil-A continues to lead the charge with innovative, consumer-focused strategies. This summer, Chick-fil-A is captivating customers with its engaging interactive digital game, Code Moo. This initiative not only strengthens customer loyalty but also drives top-line sales and bottom-line profits, embodying the core principles of effective grocerant marketing. Code Moo: A Digital Game that Delivers From July 22 through August 17, Chick-fil-A invites fan ..read more

  National Ice Cream Day refocused the team at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® that Ice Cream is important to most Americans in the good old summertime.  A new Gopuff report dives into consumers' ice cream preferences and highlights how ice cream can play a crucial role in mix-and-match meal component bundling. By analyzing orders across the country and surveying customers, the report recaps the most popular frozen treats, reveals unexpected pairings, and uncovers the U.S. cities that ordered the most ice cream in 2024. As the Grocerant Guru®, let's explore how these insigh ..read more

  In the ever-evolving landscape of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) industry, KFC has managed to stay relevant and beloved by many. However, as the Grocerant Guru®, it’s my duty to shed light on areas where even giants like KFC might be lagging. So, let’s take off the rose-tinted glasses and dive into some areas where KFC could brighten its future. The Dim Areas 1.       Digital Transformation: In an era where digital convenience is king, KFC’s online ordering and delivery systems need a major upgrade. According to the National Restaurant Association ..read more

  As families juggle busy schedules and seek ways to save time and effort, dining out has become an essential part of their routine. Let’s dive into some key findings from a recent survey of 491 families, brought to you by the Affinity Group, with an added touch of insights from the Grocerant Guru! Increased Dining Out: A striking 74% of families report dining out more often this year compared to last. This significant rise is driven by the need to save time and reduce the effort of meal preparation. Did you know that only 35% of people know what they want for dinner by noon, and this f ..read more

Hey there, sports fans and food lovers! Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® is here with some electrifying news that will have you buzzing with excitement! SONIC Drive-In, the champions of craveable food and fun, have teamed up with the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and SEC Network in a game-changing, multi-year sponsorship. That's right, folks—SONIC is now the "Official Quick Service Restaurant of the SEC!" This partnership started this July 1st, SONIC is hitting the gridiron with SEC football programming and productions across SEC Network, ABC, an ..read more

  In today's fast-paced foodservice industry, keeping employees motivated and engaged is paramount to maintaining high standards and exceptional customer experiences. According to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® one innovative strategy that's gaining traction is gamification. At Love's Travel Stops, a pioneering gamification system is revolutionizing their restaurant operations, demonstrating how technology can edify employees and elevate brand loyalty. Let’s dive into the details and uncover how gamification can be a game-changer for your brand ..read more

  In recent years, seafood restaurants have faced an uphill battle, grappling with a perfect storm of challenges. From declining sales to food safety concerns and the mislabeling of seafood, the industry is in a state of flux.  The Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson of Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®, has analyzed the intricacies of these struggles and devised seven actionable fixes to help seafood restaurants regain their footing. Let's dive into the numbers and explore the path forward. The Struggles    Declining Sales Seafood restaurant sales have seen a significa ..read more

  In the dynamic world of multi-unit, multi-brand restaurant operations, growth often presents a unique set of challenges. While operating diverse brands under one umbrella can diversify risk and tap into various market segments, it also introduces complexities that can stymie growth. Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru®, at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® wants to delve into why these individual brands struggle and explore five strategic fixes to steer them toward growth. Growth Struggles: The Quagmire 1.       Brand Identity Dilution: Managing multi ..read more

  In the ever-evolving landscape of the foodservice industry, staying ahead of the curve is paramount for sustained success. Corner Bakery Cafe, a beloved name in the fast-casual segment, has the potential to elevate its brand and boost sales with strategic innovations.  Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions, is here to share five actionable strategies that can help Corner Bakery Cafe thrive in today’s competitive market. 1. Embrace the Grocerant Model The Trend: Grocerants, a blend of grocery and restaurant, are reshaping how consumers dine and s ..read more