FOODSERVICE PARTNERSHIPS
3 Levels of Clean
CLEAN FREE from dirt, marks, or stains.
warm, real, quick , comforting, and consistent . And they wanted to get all of that from a place they already trusted : the convenience store.
SANITIZE REDUCTION of harmful bacteria.
• Best use is Back of House.
in the last decade is the foodservice counter Once upon a time, foodservice in a c-store was a quiet corner of the store. It was practical, yes, probably had rollers , and was not something customers bragged about It lived somewhere between necessary and tolerated But in the last few years, everything about that dynamic has changed The foodservice counter has moved from the periphery to the center. It’s no longer something customers discover accidentally ; it’s something they seek out . And in the Southeast , where food culture runs deep and expectations run high, independent operators are learning that their foodservice program is no longer a side attraction. It is their identity.
• Predominately used on food contact surfaces, no rinsing needed.
• All sanitizers have a contact time, or dwell time with the surface, Keystone
If you spend time talking with operators across the Southeast you’ll hear a similar story It starts with customers who used to buy the same thing ever y day : a biscuit , a slice of breakfast pizza , chicken strips, a corndog, or maybe a sandwich. Then slowly, almost without anyone noticing, those same customers started looking for something a little different. They wanted wraps instead of sandwiches They wanted grilled instead of fried. They wanted something hot that felt less heavy They wanted vegetables or fruit cups They wanted variety.
Note: Sanitizer only products are not EPA approved to be effective against emerging
But here’s the par t that really changed the game : they wanted the food to look intentional.
DISINFECT KILLS bacteria and viruses listed on the product label.
• To be used on NON food contact surfaces.
What’s interesting about this shif t is that it wasn’t driven by one big change. It didn’t happen because equipment suddenly improved or because big brands started paying attention It happened because customers evolved They started expecting more from the places they visit every day They started expecting fresher food, clearer labeling, cleaner presentation, and a sense of pride from
That word, intentional, is going to define foodservice for a long time. Customers want food that feels thoughtfully created and thoughtfully presented They want packaging that makes sense. They
• Disinfectants on food contact surfaces must be followed by a rinse and sanitizer application before using it again.
surfaces minutes. 1 Clean
n to cy ke that re, ind.” ng out
clarity When a customer approaches your hot case or grab- and-go cooler, they should immediately understand what your food is about . Is it hearty ? Is it homestyle? Is it fresh? Is it bold? Is it local? Is it traditional? Is it convenient? Good branding answers those questions without requiring a single word spoken.
how it should feel in their hands They know when something has been sitting too long They know when something was made with care. That’s why successful independent operators don’t tr y to imitate big chains They lean into authenticity. They lean into the kind of honest, comforting, satisfying food that people in this region grew up on Sometimes that means breakfast staples . Sometimes it means fried chicken Sometimes it means barbecue. Sometimes it means pizza But whatever the menu, it has to feel real.
and again because pizza is emotional food It’s comfort It’s familiarity It’s one of the purest “quick win” meal a c-store can offer.
quat is 60 seconds. pathogens such as COVID-19.
Some operators make the mistake of thinking branding means slapping a name on the program and calling it a day. But branding is not a name, it’s a promise. A promise of consistency, quality, and identity It’s a visual and emotional language that customers start to associate with comfor t and trust You don’t need a national brand to achieve that You just need coherence. You need a set of cues packaging, display, temperature, freshness , lighting, signage, cleanliness — that all point to the same message.
Food is par t of the cultural fabric so the expectations around it are higher Customers know what good food looks like. They know what it smells like. They know
those same customers started looking for something a lit tle different”
Pizza programs are a perfect example of this Ten years ago, pizza in a c-store was mostly a novelty. Customers didn’t trust it unless it came from a known brand. But today, independent stores are building their own pizza identities done simple and well Customers aren’t looking for gourmet ; they’re looking for dependable. They want a slice that holds up on the drive to work and tastes the same on this week as it did last week. They want a slice they can count on when they’re hungr y and in a hurry. And when they find it , they come back again
Deli programs follow a similar logic The most successful ones are not the ones offering the widest variety They’re the ones offering the clearest identity. A deli case full of confusing options doesn’t work anywhere, but it especially doesn’t work in a c-store. Customers want to know what your deli stands for The more clearly you define the program, the more loyal your customers become. The stores that win are the ones that treat their deli like a small kitchen, not a miscellaneous shelf of random items.
That’s where the magic of foodservice really begins to shine : in the clarit y of purpose. Customers don’t need you to reinvent the wheel They need you to make the wheel predictable. That’s why consistency is more important than variety. A crisp breakfast pizza every morning will outsell a rotating menu that never finds its identity. A perfectly fried chicken tender will beat a complicated menu with inconsistent execution A carefully wrapped sandwich will beat an overstuffed one that looks sloppy.
But foodservice isn’t just about quality. It’s about timing One of the biggest challenges operators face is knowing when their customers’ rhythms shif t — when breakfast starts earlier, when lunch extends later, when snack times change, when customers begin buying warm food in the evenings instead of the afternoons.
These shifts happen seasonally, socially, and emotionally They happen when weather changes They happen when schools star t or end They happen when local events shif t traffic patterns They happen when work schedules change for major industries in the area The operators who pay attention to these patterns — the ones who know exactly when to load the case and when to hold back build foodservice programs that feel intuitively “in sync” with their community.
You can always tell when a foodservice program is in sync Customers approach the counter with confidence. They don’t hesitate. They don’t inspect. They already know it’s going to be good They’re buying from memory, not curiosity. And once a customer reaches that point , your foodservice program becomes par t of their life, not just par t of your store.
Another crucial par t of foodservice success heading into 2026 is the way the program integrates with the rest of the store. Foodservice is not an island. It thrives when it coexists harmoniously with beverages, snacks, and forecourt behaviors Think about a customer walking in after fueling : they’re already thinking about comfort If they smell something good — pizza , biscuits, chicken, or even a fresh wrap — that sensory connection happens naturally If they see the foodservice area positioned cleanly and confidently, they’re more inclined to explore. If the cooler nearby is stocked with reliable pairings — teas , lemonades, functional energy drinks , cold brews
— then the whole shopping experience feels effortless.
In convenience retail, ver y little happens in isolation Ever y par t of the store communicates with ever y other part The pump lane leads to the door The door leads to the coffee. The coffee leads to the foodservice. The foodservice leads to the cooler The cooler leads to the register. And the register leads to the next visit . A strong foodservice program doesn’t interrupt this sequence ; it enhances it.
The independent operators who do this well are the ones who understand the emotional life of their customers They know that the man who buys a breakfast biscuit at 6:30 ever y morning is not just buying food he’s buying a feeling of stability. They know that the mother who picks up tenders for her kids after school is not just buying a quick dinner — she’s buying a small moment of peace. They know that the construction worker
grabbing a slice at noon isn’t just filling up — he’s grabbing comfor t in the middle of a hard day Foodservice succeeds when it understands that food is emotional, not just functional.
Another major shif t for 2026 is the rise of “fresh-but-fast” foods in c-stores. Customers no longer separate health from convenience. They want both They want a wrap that tastes fresh but is ready instantly They want fruit that feels real, not processed They want salads that look crisp, not wilted They want food that feels like a smar t choice even when they’re in a hurry Operators who embrace this new realit y — who offer a mix of comfor t foods and lighter foods — capture a wider audience without alienating anyone
A store in central Tennessee shared that adding a simple grilled chicken wrap increased foot traffic from local teachers who used to skip the store because they
“couldn’t find anything light enough for lunch.” Another store in Georgia shared that offering a small cup of fresh fruit beside the hot case dramatically increased morning sales among customers picking up coffee. These subtle shifts matter because they speak directly to an evolving customer base that wants options without complexity.
Branding plays a huge role in all of this.
In 2026, customers don’t just want food — they want food that looks like it belongs to your store. They want a sense of personality They want to feel like they’re choosing something local, something familiar, something they can trust . When your packaging, your signage, your colors , and your presentation all match your store’s overall identity, customers feel anchored in your brand That familiarit y breeds loyalty.
Foodservice that lacks identit y will al-
ways struggle. Foodservice with a strong identity becomes a magnet.
One of the most encouraging trends going into 2026 is the number of independents investing deeply in their foodservice teams . They’re not just staffing the counter — they’re training people who take pride in the food They’re giving employees responsibility for freshness checks, for presentation, for customer interaction. And this sense of ownership shows. Customers can feel when a foodservice program is run by people who care. They respond with appreciation, with repeat visits , with enthusiastic recommendations to friends and coworkers.
Foodservice also has a storytelling element that often goes untapped. Customers love knowing where the recipe came from They love knowing the sausage is local or the chicken is breaded in-store. They love knowing you bake your bis-
cuits fresh or that your pizza dough isn’t frozen When customers can attach a stor y to the food, they become emotionally invested. And emotional investment is worth more than any promotion or discount.
Looking ahead to 2026, the biggest takeaway for independent operators is this: your foodservice program doesn’t need to be complicated It needs to be consistent It needs to be clear It needs to feel like it belongs to your store and your community. And it needs to be executed with pride, not obligation.
Customers do not expect perfection. They expect care. They expect warmth. They expect the food to taste the same today as it did last week They expect the station to look clean They expect the employees to know what’s good today. They expect to feel confident in their decision to buy from you.
When you give them that , your foodservice program becomes more than a category It becomes a relationship It becomes a reason for customers to choose your store again and again It becomes the backbone of your revenue, your reputation, and your future.
As 2026 approaches , remember this: foodservice is no longer optional It is a defining feature of the modern c-store. It is the hear t of your identity. And when you build that hear t with honesty, consistency, clarity, and care, it beats strong enough to carr y your entire business forward.
The Power of Partnership
The power of partnership means understanding your business needs and bringing you powerful solutions. Whether you’re looking for training, food cost advantages, service ideas, or new additions to your
PartnershipTeam Members
Chris McCollum Sysco President, South Region
First Name Last Name Direct Contact Person at Sysco for HRA Sysco VP of Sales, South Region
James Walters HRA Director of Foodservice
Scott Sawant HRA VP of Convenience Retail
As the largest and most experienced food service provider in the industry, Sysco takes pride in delivering on-point products and solutions. An extensive network of growers, ranchers and producers, coupled with state-of-the art culinary expertise, enables us to provide the freshest foods, ideas and products that meet
Our Story
Sysco is the global leader in selling, marketing and distributing food and non-food products to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, lodging establishments and other customers around the world.
Fresh food and fresh ideas are at the heart of food and service. Sysco delivers exceptional produce, custom cuts of meat, high-quality seafood, and imported foods
Our network of specialty suppliers pairs well with our culinary and business expertise. Sysco’s unparalleled selection of innovative ingredients and cutting-edge products connects your business to the industry-leading distribution network - keeping you stocked with the freshest products, trends, and ideas.
1 https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hand-hygiene/survey-says-consumer-awareness-importance-hand-hygiene-g
Fresh food and fresh ideas are at the heart of food and service. Sysco delivers exceptional produce, custom cuts of meat, high-quality seafood, and imported foods o ering global avors. The network of specialty suppliers pairs well with our culinary and business expertise. Unparalleled selection of innovative ingredients and cutting-edge products connects your business to the industry-leading distribution network, keeping you stocked with the best products, hottest trends, and newest ideas.
BREAKFAST
Featured Items:
Breakfast in a convenience store works best when it feels fast, reliable, and worth the stop. Most customers aren’t browsing in the morning, they’re on their way somewhere, and they want something that’s hot, lling, and ready without slowing them down. The stores that win in this space don’t try to do everything, they focus on a tight group of items that can be executed consistently every day, whether that’s breakfast sandwiches, burritos, biscuits, or bakery paired with co ee. The real opportunity is not just in the food itself, but in becoming part of someone’s routine. When a customer knows they can count on your store for a quick, good breakfast at a fair price, that trip becomes repeatable, and repeatable is where the margin lives.
LUNCH
Lunch is where a convenience store has the opportunity to compete directly for a planned meal, not just a quick stop. Customers coming in during midday are looking for something that feels complete, lling, and worth their time, whether that’s a hot sandwich, a pizza slice, a chicken item, or a simple combo that comes together easily. The stores that perform well at lunch don’t try to mimic a full restaurant, they focus on speed, consistency, and a small group of items that can be executed well during peak hours. The real advantage is convenience paired with clarity. When a customer can walk in, immediately see what’s available, and build a meal without thinking too hard, you’ve removed friction. That’s what turns a one-time lunch stop into a regular part of someone’s week.
Featured Items:
GRAB & GO
Featured Items:
Grab-and-go food works when it makes the decision easy. Customers reaching for these items are not looking to wait, and they are not looking to think too hard. They want something that feels fresh, clearly priced, and ready to take with them the moment they open the door. The stores that succeed here keep the assortment tight and focused on items that move, like sandwiches, wraps, salads, and simple snack packs that match real customer habits. Presentation matters more than most operators expect. Clean packaging, full shelves, and clear visibility build trust quickly, while clutter and inconsistency push customers away just as fast. When grab-and-go is executed well, it becomes a reliable bridge between meal times, driving steady sales throughout the day without adding operational strain.
Born from a Love of Food
For ve generations, our family has been a trusted and valued producer for many of the leading food companies and ner dining establishments across America. Along the way, we started cooking products that people crave but too often don’t have the time to make. From soups and chowders, to mac & cheese and meals, our mission is to provide time-constrained families with high quality, homestyle foods made from carefully selected sourced ingredients that satisfy the whole family.
Our Family of Brands
One great recipe after another led us to Blount’s Family Kitchen. Our mission is to provide time-constrained families with high quality, homestyle foods made from carefully sourced ingredients that satisfy the tastes of the whole family. Our dishes are ready in minutes so you can “savor the avor” while you also savor the time.
Blount is, and will continue to be, the rst choice for high quality prepared soups, sides and entrees. We’re a family-owned and operated marketer, manufacturer, and developer of premium fresh prepared foods. Our award-winning products are sold at grocery stores, club stores and restaurants in all 50 states.
The delicious satisfying avors of our clam shack soups don’t rely on complicated recipes or ingredients. They re ect what we have served to our families and neighbors for generations. From our conscientious sourcing to our careful kettle cooking, know that with each taste of our seafood soups, you are tasting the best of New England.
We make real food heroes every day by providing customers with foods that are delicious to eat, easy to prepare, and accessible to all.
Made with 100% REAL Idaho potatoes, our Idaho Spuds delicious hashbrowns give you restaurant-quality taste in minutes. We have been perfecting potatoes for over 80 years, which is why we can say that all Idaho Spuds are made by Potato Lovers™ for Potato Lovers™.
Whether you like them mashed or hashed, crispy or creamy, for breakfast or for dinner – Hungry Jack® Potatoes’ 100% Real potato products delivers something delicious to everyone at the table.
Our foods are made with 100% real Idaho potatoes and will be sure to please everyone at the dining table. There’s no frills or fuss, just the great taste of hearty meals that turn out right every time. Pull up a chair, dig into delicious and enjoy our comforting sides.
From Asian to Mexican to Italian
Ajinomoto Foods North America is the brand leader among the largest categories of ethnic frozen foods, and across every distribution channel including foodservice, grocery, warehouse club, and custom manufacturing.
Consumer Brands
We've got your breakfast, lunch, and dinner needs covered. Explore the trusted brands our consumers turn to in their kitchen freezer for authentic avor in all their frozen entrees. We also provide a variety of Asian sauces and other avor enhancers to ensure a tasty dining experience.
Foodservice Brands
Ajinomoto Foods North America Foodservice makes it easy to menu the avors of the world with premium frozen appetizers, handhelds, entrees and sides. With trusted industry brands that save time and labor, our products meet the needs of every operation.
An expanding portfolio of on-trend brands to satisfy all tastes.
From regional favorites to foods with a global air, we continue to o er only those names that live up to the C.H. Guenther standards of quality, avor, value and dependability. From gravies, biscuits and baked goods to soups, desserts and appetizers, we bring you the brands and recipes that make mealtime a multi-sensory sensation. It’s no wonder you’ll nd our brands on the shelves of grocery stores and the tables of restaurants and homes everywhere.
Our Brands
We are shaping the future of food with premium products and culinary innovation across meal occasions for retail and foodservice channels.
Innovation is in our DNA. Our heritage of being pioneers has endured and grown for over 165 years. We continually expand our capabilities and keep our focus on developing products that help drive our customers’ success. We look to the future by investing globally in the people and facilities that keep us at the front of food innovation.
All Your Comfort Food Favorites
Since the 1950’s, we have focused on doing things the right way, for the right reasons, and that includes how we make our Country Ham and other dry-cured country meats.
We are still carrying on our family traditions that have been passed down through generations. We make sure every product that leaves our smokehouse is one we’d serve to our own family and friends. It all starts with the best quality of meat, ingredients and not to mention time and attention to detail during the aging process.
BBQ
Our pulled pork barbecue comes from only the highest quality Boston Butts that are slow-cooked over real hardwood.
Country Ham
We cure the freshest hams with a simple salt & sugar cure before hanging them for over 90 days to ensure the best avor and most succulent Tennessee country ham.
Summer Sausage
Our summer sausage is made from a premium blend of beef & pork that’s mixed with high-quality seasoning before it’s cured & cooked.
We are Every Day Fresh. We start every day harvesting the freshest, most succulent cat sh so you can end your day enjoying a healthy, tasty meal with your family. Whether you serve cat sh at home or enjoy a night out, you’ll taste the freshness.
Fish are transported from beautiful Delta ponds to our processing facilities. The most experienced team in the industry carefully prepares the sh, and in just an hour, it is transported to grocers and restaurants for your family to enjoy.
Dive into our craveable lineup of bottled condiments, made with ingredients like parmesan, green onions, smokehouse bacon and more! Discover fun avor combos you’ll love and elevate your game every time you dip a bite or serve up a meal, with zesty Ranch diliciousness.
Condiments FROM THE RANCH TO THE WORLD
Whether you dip, dunk, drizzle or pour it on, you already know the tangy avor of Ranch makes any bite better. Our Hidden Valley™ Ranch Dips add just the right touch of creamy craveability to any snack or meal, and we’ve got more avors than you can shake a celery stick at.
It’s time to shake up your snacks, dips and meals with zesty Ranch air! Whether you are looking for a salad seasoning mix or want to add a tangy touch to snacks or shake up your dinner menu with big, bold avors, our line of Hidden Valley™ Ranch Seasonings and Recipe Packets have you covered.
DipsSeasoningsSnacks
When snacky cravings attack, nothing hits the spot like the zesty avor of Ranch. Our Ranch Snacks and Sides are packed with savory deliciousness in every lip-smacking bite — no prep required!
It’s safe to say that the world’s love of ranch has earned Hidden Valley Ranch — HVR for short — a place in popular culture. Now, people across the country proudly dip and dunk their wings and fries in creamy ranch, or drizzle it over burgers and pizza. They rub savory ranch seasoning onto roasts, stir it into stews, bake it into casseroles and shake it over popcorn. Some passionate fans take it to the next level, buying it by the keg or setting up ranch fountains at weddings, and sharing their love of ranch on social media like never before.
Global Flavors. Global Brand.
McCormick & Company, Inc. is a global leader in avor. With our diverse and balanced avor portfolio, we are ideally positioned to meet the increasing demand for avor around the world.
Frank’s RedHot is the #1 Hot Sauce in teh World. We’re that irreverent brand that’s been keepin’ it spicy for 100+ years and the original creators of the bu alo wing. Known for our perfect blend of avor and heat that you can use as an ingredient, topper or dipper for any food. Simply put, we Kick It Up A Notch.
Our premium hot sauce is a 100-year old recipe made from a blend of arbol and piquin peppers with an array of regional spices. Cholula delivers authentic Mexican avor that elevates any dish making it delicioso. That’s why Chalula hot sauce is the “#1 Mexican Hot Sauce in the World.”
Backyard BBQs. Holiday-inspired gourmet meals. Family dinners, Fire up your grill or stovetop with Lawry’s and Bring the Zing!
French’s is the #1 Mustard in teh World. French’s, the nostalgic and vibrant Americana brand, has been perfecting the products that make every meal avorful for over a century. From casual celebrations like a backyard BBQ to the ballpark to the holiday table, there’s only one way to top all the classics and make any moment special.
For more than 75 years, OLD BAY has provided food lovers with bold avor solutions for seafood, side dishes and more.
Winland Foods focuses on food manufacturing in the Meal Preparation category. We specialize in pasta, sauces, syrups, dressings, jams and jellies, pie llings, pita chips, dry dinners, dry baking ingredients, plant-based protein and more.
Our product o erings range from consumer-loved brands to custom private label solutions across retail and food away from home channels.
Sauces
Sauces are an easy way to explore new avors and cuisines!
Pourable Dressings
Recipes that match leading national brands as well as the latest restaurant and ingredient trends.
Spoonable Dressings
Must-have pantry staples for sandwiches, salads, dipping, and more.
Our Brands
Our lineup of authentic, tomato-based salsas brings bold, vibrant avor to the table.
Mexican Sauces
O ering snacking and beverage products across the growing private brands industry.
We produce a variety of products including crackers, non-dairy creamer, pickles, refrigerated dough, broths and stocks, hot cereal, pretzels, in-store bakery items, griddle, cookies, cheese and pudding, powdered beverages and other blends, co ee, tea, and unique candy products.
We manufacture and sell our portfolio of private label foods and beverages for retail grocery, foodservice/food-away-from-home and co-pack customers.
Our brands have delicious covered — breakfast, lunch, and dinner!
From the bacon or sausage sizzling on your stove to your favorite ham, hot dogs or lunch meat, chances are you already love one of our leading brands. It's why people all over the world purchase and enjoy our delicious and convenient products.
A Commitment to Quality
All our brands include a few, high-quality ingredients in every bite — great taste, reasonable prices and a trustworthy reputation.
Discover the brands that have made Smith eld a household name. Explore our product lineup, nd mouthwatering recipes and learn more about what sets us apart.
Edward Don & Company
DON is Everything but the Food.®
With a strong commitment to excellent service, a vast inventory, investments in technology and a team of experienced professionals, DON delivers industry-leading products you can depend on, exceptional service you deserve and tailored solutions that meet your needs.
• 7 nationwide full-service distribution centers - over 1.3M square feet
• Fully integrated operating platform (SAP), SKU commonality across all DCs
• 12,000+ in stock products
• 1,300+ trained associates
• 300+ experienced and tenured sales professionals
• 24/7 online ordering (don.com)
• Data rich reporting capabilities
• Globally-sourced product selection from the industry’s leading suppliers
• DON Fleet In House Transportation Network
• Value Added Services Team for new store openings and rollouts
• DON BUILD - Equipment, Design and Build Team
DON is providing HRA with the best selection from the folowing categories:
• Equipment
• Kitchen Supplies
• Sanitation and Maintenance
The Power of don.com
• Disposables
• Chemicals
We get it – things happen. Whether you’ve had an equipment breakdown, a large last minute reservation or are just looking to cut down on paper, we’re here to help with don.com. Along with 24/7 access to online products and ordering, you’ll enjoy several other advantages:
• 24/7 access to our complete line of products
• Customize your favorites list for quick reordering
• Option to lock down and limit access to
• Optional “Order Approval” mode available
•
• Quick access to order history and invoices with product images and item numbers
• Robust tracking tools, reporting and information resources
Arc3 Gases is a leading provider of beverage, industrial, medical, and specialty gases. In addition, Arc3 Gases provides a wide range of welding equipment and industrial products.
Arc3 Gases specializes in CO2 and Nitrogen generation systems for the hospitality industry. We’re committed to being a trusted partner our customers can rely on. Our highly trained sta has the knowledge and expertise to help you with all of your beverage carbonation and Nitrogen generation system needs.
Core products such as Nitrogen and Carbon Dioxide are available in a variety of purity levels, mixtures, packaging, and delivery models.
Beverage Gases
Bulk CO2 Tanks: abvailable in a variety of sizes to meet your needs, switching to our CO2 bulk tanks is a breeze.
Nitrogen Generates: Generate and blend beverage grade Nitrogen on site. Never run out and no deliveries required.
For over 60 years, our success has always been dependent upon building long term customer relationships.
Elevate Your Customers’ Co ee Experience
Your customers are demanding better quality and more beverage choices than ever before. Community's wide range of premium hot co ees and innovative iced beverages will help you meet that growing demand and set your store apart from the competition. Community will help you nd the custom solutions that meet your speci c needs and translate into loyal customers. Our experienced service and sales team is ready to work directly with you to build a more inviting beverage bar.
As a Horizon Retailer Association approved provider for members, Vestis understands the needs of small businesses like yours. Plus, price assurance means you have a dependable source for all your Uniforms and Workplace supplies.
Special Savings for HRA Members
• National negotiated prices on rental programs and Direct Sale merchandise
• 4 weeks free for new program locations
