Automatic Merchandiser - 26

blueberry and strawberry flavors,
are big sellers in vending, micro
markets and pantry service.
Another top seller is the Kellogg's Special K® Protein Meal Bar,
packed with 12 grams of protein
and 5 grams of fiber and available in
multiple flavors.
HOT AND COLD ITEMS
PROVE POPULAR

As consumers eat breakfast in the office
more frequently, they'll want more
options. Operators who have the ability
to provide hot or cold items in their
locations can lure customers from the
fast food restaurants and convenience
stores they pass on the way to work.
Chris Allahyar, sales for Tyson Foods,
advised that operators can "compete
with restaurants or convenience stores
for the consumer's business" by offering
refrigerated and heated products.
"Refrigerated products that can
be heated are definitely a great fit, but
it needs to work for the operator's
business as well," Allahyar explained,
noting that operators should source
products and packaging designed to
offer simple merchandising, optimized
shelf-life and performance.
Giving customers a variety of products to choose from encourages them
to keep returning to the micro market
or vending machine to purchase different items.
"We're seeing that consumers want to change up what they're

Jimmy Dean® Simple Scrambles
are protein-forward breakfast
options.
Tyson Foodservice

eating for breakfast from day to
day," explained Craig Yoder, senior
associate brand manager at Johnsonville. "We found in our research that
consumers desire variety for different
days of the week, and part of that is
having a hot offering."
Runyan Meadows added, "[Consumers] want the breakfast staples they
love, like eggs and sausage, when it's
convenient for their schedule. We are
also getting requests for innovative
forms outside of sandwiches that still
provide that 'all-in-one,' easy to eat
option - bowls are an example."
Portable, protein-forward breakfast
fare like Jimmy Dean® Delights Protein
Breakfast Bowls or Jimmy Dean® Simple
Scrambles are easily transportable and
microwavable. In addition to delivering
the freshness of fast food, they can be
easily incorporated into a consumer's
busy lifestyle. Jimmy Dean® also offers a
French Toast & Sausage Sandwich that
provides a quick, easy and satisfying
meal for consumers on-the-go.
Yoder said that he's seen an increase
in operators interested in carrying Johnsonville breakfast products,

Johnsonville's sandwiches are made from high-quality ingredients and can be sold
heated or cold.
Johnsonville

26

Automatic Merchandiser * October/November 2019

especially in micro markets and
vending.
"Consumers want high-quality
products that are quick and easy to eat
on-the-go and don't require them to
stop for very long during their busy
day," Yoder said. "Offering a convenient breakfast at onsite locations is a
great way to provide nourishment at
their destination."
Johnsonville is seeing increasing
interest in its Premium Handheld
Sandwiches, Yoder said, which are
made from high-quality ingredients
and offered in a variety of unique
builds and flavors. "The sandwiches
are made with premium Johnsonville
sausage, real eggs, cheeses and vegetables, and use on-trend bread carriers,"
he said. "We introduced the Premium
Handhelds almost two years ago and
the response has been unbelievable.
We also have simpler solutions like
Stuffed Biscuits and Smoked Sausages
wrapped in soft baked dough that are
great for snacking."
Operators who have the capability
to serve hot breakfast foods provide
maximum convenience for the consumer, yet Yoder reported strong sales
on Johnsonville sandwiches, biscuits
and sausages when they're sold straight
from the cooler.
"We've had operators sell our
products cold as well as hot and ready
in warmers where consumers can grab
what they want and move on with
their day," Yoder said. "Our Premium
Handheld Sandwiches are individually
packaged and ready to heat from the
refrigerator or freezer, taking less than
two minutes in the microwave. The
unique packaging delivers a superior product from the microwave or
warmer and the bread carriers maintain their texture for up to two hours
in the warmer."
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