PHOTO GALLERY: The 2016 Foodservice Innovators of the Year
NATIONAL REPORT — For the past five years, Convenience Store News, in partnership with Tyson Convenience, has recognized the top foodservice innovators in the convenience retail industry. The winners represent the best of the best in convenience foodservice excellence.
Earlier this week, CSNews presented the 2016 Foodservice Innovator of the Year award to QuickChek Corp., the Whitehouse Station, N.J.-based chain of 140 stores, at the Community Foodbank of New Jersey. Tyson Foods, QuickChek and CSNews partnered to donate a truckload of protein to the food bank to help alleviate hunger throughout the retailer’s home state
QuickChek was selected as this year’s Foodservice Innovator of the Year by CSNews’ How to Crew panel of foodservice experts. QuickChek’s fresh food and beverage program features custom-made, oven-toasted subs, sandwiches, wraps and salads and fresh baked goods from an in-store bakery with excellent customer service provided by locally hired team members. The chain also prides itself on its fresh-brewed coffee, which consumers voted the best coffee in America in a recent national survey.
In addition to QuickChek, fellow 2016 Foodservice Innovators honorees are:
- Prepared Foods Innovator of the Year: Corner Store (CST Brands Inc.)
- Hot Beverages Innovator of the Year: Circle K (Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc.)
- Cold & Frozen Beverages Innovator of the Year: QuikTrip Corp.
- Best New Foodservice Program or Item of the Year: Maverik Inc.
- Best Foodservice Promotion or Limited-Time Offer of the Year: 7-Eleven Inc.
All of the winners are recognized for raising the bar on quality, service and innovation in the critically important foodservice category in the convenience channel.
Four of this year’s award winners were recognized at the 2016 NACS Show in Atlanta, while Maverik received its award at its new headquarters in downtown Salt Lake City.
