<p style="text-align:center;"><em>Foodservice at retail is a strategic advantage
for food retailers, and through informed strategy, an efficient operating model and a differentiated consumer experience, foodservice can be a growth-driving superpower in the competitive grocery market.</em><o:p></o:p><br /></p><p>By: Andrew Brown, Senior Manager, Industry Relations, FMI</p><p><img src="https://www.fmi.org/images/default-source/blog-images/foodservice-hot-bar.tmb-large-350-.jpg?Culture=en&sfvrsn=8796b600_1" style="margin:10px;float:right;" alt="Foodservice hot bar" class="-align-right" sf-size="366889" />In today’s rapidly evolving food landscape, foodservice at retail stands out as a true superpower for supermarkets. It’s a strategic advantage that enables supermarkets to better meet the diverse and ever-changing needs of consumers more than any other format. But with great power comes great responsibility. </p><p>Our new whitepaper <em><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/framework-for-retail-foodservice-success-2025">Framework for Retail Foodservice Success 2025</a> </em>was developed in collaboration <a href="https://www.kearney.com/">Kearney</a> with the goal of helping our members make sense of this powerful department and avoid treating it any other department in the store. </p><h5>The Three Pillars of Success</h5><ol type="1"><li><strong>Strategy:</strong><br />Success starts with a clear, informed strategy that’s tailored to the store’s unique customer base. Retailers must define their aspirations. Are they aiming to be a foodservice destination or simply add incremental revenue? It’s about understanding your shoppers and aligning foodservice offerings to their lifestyles and preferences. </li><li><strong>Operating Model:</strong><br />A winning strategy is nothing without the right operating model. This means moving beyond traditional retail metrics and adopting a production mindset, focusing on consistency, quality and efficiency. Whether it’s in-store prep, commissary production or partnerships, the model must deliver on the promise of freshness, convenience and value.</li><li><strong>Consumer Experience:</strong><br />The final pillar is the consumer experience. Retailers must create differentiated, memorable experiences that make their stores top-of-mind for meal solutions. This includes everything from store layout and technology integration to marketing and menu variety. The goal is to make foodservice a seamless part of the shopper’s journey, whether they’re grabbing a quick lunch, ordering online or enjoying a sit-down meal in-store. </li></ol><h5>Unlocking the Superpower</h5><p>Foodservice at retail is a strategic imperative. By aligning strategy, operating model and consumer experience, grocery stores can transform foodservice into their superpower, meeting a wide range of consumer needs and driving growth in a competitive market. The framework provided in this white paper is a great tool for having those high-level conversations and getting the ball rolling! To learn more, download the full whitepaper or contact me for guidance on implementing these pillars in your organization.</p><p><a href="https://www.fmi.org/forms/store/ProductFormPublic/framework-for-retail-foodservice-success-2025" class="button">Download Now</a><br /></p>
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