Plan of Action to Add Popcorn to Your Truckstop

As our industry trends to more robust food service offerings covering full-service restaurants, quick-service offerings and grab and go, it is important not to forget the smaller offerings that can generate exceptional sales and profitability. One of those offerings in popcorn; yes popcorn. Some locations are selling popcorn and other locations have done it in the past. Results may vary because of how the program is executed. It is imperative to have a plan of action when you implement a popcorn program.
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Welcome to the newest post in our blog series, Darren’s Great Ideas! for Independent Operators. 

Plan of Action to Add Popcorn to Your Truckstop

As our industry trends to more robust food service such as full-service restaurants, quick-service offerings and grab and go, it is important not to forget the smaller offerings that can generate exceptional sales and profitability.

One of those offerings is popcorn; yes popcorn. Some locations are selling popcorn and other locations have done it in the past with varying results based on how the program is executed. It is imperative to have a plan of action when you implement a popcorn program. For starters, I would suggest:

  1. Your popcorn machine must be strategically placed. Clean that counter off and have the machine placed on the counter so that it doesn’t block customer or team member sight lines.
  2. Ensure that you have a popcorn-popping schedule. For example, “We pop corn every day at 5:00 pm...”
  3. When creating your schedule be sure to look at your busiest diesel gallon, gasoline and transaction times. Keep popcorn fresh during these peak time periods. Popping corn at your busiest times will ensure that the maximum number of potential buyers will be in the store at the time that the smell of the popcorn is most robust.
  4. As popcorn gets older, consider reductions and/or giveaways. This limits waste and improves profitability.
  5. As popcorn is salty, look to attach beverages to create buy-one-get-one (BOGO) opportunities. Be sure to focus on your fountain products to ensure maximum profitability.
  6. Look to offer add-on products such as gourmet seasoning and specialty offerings like jalapenos.
  7. Have fun with the sales. Create sales contests and/or make selling popcorn part of your suggestive selling program.

You may not think that such a small offering can impact your sales and profitability, but done properly you will be pleasantly surprised. I cannot wait to hear back from those of you that create a program and share your success. Tell us in the comments.

 

/// Read more Darren's Great Ideas for Independent Operators posts here. 
 
 

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