Eby-Brown & Rich's Whip Up Offer for C-store Operators

NAPERVILLE, Ill. and BUFFALO, N.Y. — Eby-Brown Co. LLC and Rich’s Foodservice, a division of Rich Products Corp., have whipped up an offer for convenience store operators to help make their coffee bars a sought-after destination.

Now through Dec. 31, c-store operators can receive a free dispenser with the purchase of a case of Rich's mytop Whipped Topping. Eighty percent of consumers consider whipped topping a significant part of any beverage offering, the companies stated.

"We’re giving away free dispensers to help c-stores compete with coffee QSRs [quick-service restaurants]. Consumers now expect the option of getting a creamy dollop of topping on their drinks, so they can use mytop Whipped Topping to customize their coffee, hot cocoa, frozen beverages and even frozen yogurt," said Cheri F. Marchionda, director of sales – convenience for Rich Products Corp.

The executive added that c-store operators can use mytop Whipping Topping to create limited-time offers and expand sales of other items like puddings, pies, bakery items, and wide variety of treats.

Rich’s mytop Whipped Topping platform is designed for c-store operators looking to protect and grow their sales by offering a more comprehensive, value-added hot and cold beverage program, according to the companies. The whipped topping solution delivers high-perceived value to the consumer in a food-safe, affordable and operator-friendly manner.

"Eby-Brown and Rich’s are partnering to deliver a competitive, coffeehouse-quality beverage offering to the convenience store market," commented Sharon Kuncl, vice president of foodservice merchandising, Eby-Brown. "We are excited for our retail customers to take advantage of this market opportunity that the industry data indicates can deliver significantly increased beverage sales. C-store customers can enjoy greater satisfaction in their coffee taste with mytop Whipped Topping."

C-store operators who purchase one case of mytop will receive a countertop dispenser, which normally sells for $75. The dispenser’s sleek, modern design requires no refrigeration or electricity, and measures 12.96-inches wide by 27.7-inches high and 11.94-inches deep. The suppliers noted that many retailers typically place a unit by the coffee bar and a second dispenser by the frozen yogurt or dessert area.

Each case of mytop Whipped Topping contains 16, 12-ounce bags, which is approximately 384 dollops. With virtually no product waste, c-store operators will have 100 percent yield of topping in each bag, according to the companies.

On average, stores with mytop increased the number of cups sold per day by 17 percent, the companies stated. In a recent study, 97 percent of stores said customers "love" or "like" mytop Whipped Topping, and several cited that coffee sales have increased since mytop was added and that customers come in specifically for it.

Naperville-based Eby-Brown is the largest family-owned wholesale consumer products distributor in the convenience industry. It operates eight distribution centers throughout the Midwest, Mid-South, Southeast, Northeast and East Coast.

Rich Products Corp., headquartered in Buffalo, is a supplier and solutions provider to the foodservice, in-store bakery and retail marketplaces.