C-stores gain frequency with fresh food and restaurants performance is falling.

At the intersection of contemporary consumer meal consumption trends and the confluence of the time starved consumer is the grocerant niche filled with fresh ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat prepared food.  Driven by consumer demand these items can be found in Grocery Stores, Chain & Independent Restaurants, Convenience Stores, Chain Drug Stores and increasing at food trucks and online food portals.  New points of food distribution are reshaping the retail food landscape. Is your company ready?

The  NPD Group reports that” the number of annual restaurant visits by an average Millennial consumer (age 16 to 30) has dropped from 245 visits five years ago to 192 this year -- approximately one fewer visit each week. Additionally, a National Restaurant Association survey found that in July, restaurant performance dropped to its lowest level in almost a year, and restaurant owners predicted their worst overall performance expectations in 20 months.”  Price positioning continues the focus within the restaurant sector with fast-food deals leading the way here are some examples:

• $10 pizzas from Pizza Hut, which has reintroduced its $10 any pizza deal. "The environment hasn't gotten any better for consumers," said chief marketing officer Kurt Kane.

• Domino's Artisan Pizza for $7.99, making it the first large, three-topping home-delivered pizza in memory at that price point, according to spokesman Chris Brandon.

• Double Burger King meals for $6.99 that include two Whoppers, two small fries and two small drinks.

• More $5 footlong sandwiches from Subway. Starting Oct. 1, customers can order any footlong sub at that price with the exception of premium subs. "You have to have strong offers out there in this economy," said Subway CMO Tony Pace.

• Mini-Blizzard meals from Dairy Queen that include a DQ GrillBurger with cheese, French fries, a medium drink and a Mini Blizzard.

• Taco Bell's 99-cent Chicken Flatbread sandwich. "Deals are more important than ever," said Marketing Vice President Tom Wagner.

• Free ice cream cones from Burger King for customers who order from its value meal.

Since 1991 Foodservice Solutions® of Tacoma, WA has been the global leader in the Grocerant niche. For product or brand positioning assistance contact Steven A. Johnson and Foodservice Solutions® or visit http://www.linkedin.com/in/grocerant or on Facebook at Steven Johnson, GOOGLE: Steven Johnson, Grocerants or twitter.com/grocerant