Instore - December 2018 - 33

to be good?' As soon as they try it they're
shocked. It's very indulgent, very different.
We've gotten good feedback on that one."
Additions on the horizon might include an
expanded pretzel bread line, new breads
such as rye, and new sauce and flavor
combinations that tap into regional trends
- think Nashville hot chicken and Asianinspired flavors, Gomes says.

"It's working with the retailer to
understand what area of the store our
sandwiches work best in for them."
MARISSA GOMES, RAYBERN FOODS

"Going forward, we're looking at a couple
of different things in terms of our core hoagie line," she says. "We're trying to deliver
on that need that people have to expand
their horizons and taste something different and exciting."
But Walmart isn't the only retailer that has
relied on its work with Raybern's. The company serves other retailers nationwide, emphasizing that need for flexibility.

Chicken Bacon Ranch

"What we see a lot today is that consumers
are looking to explore more with the types
of sandwiches they're eating. When we first
started, more than 30 years ago, and even
10 years ago, we had a smaller portfolio.
People were eating the standard kind of
deli flavors," she says.

"We're also seeing a lot of trends in international or regional flavors," Gomes says.
"We've been trying to address that with our
product development, coming out with new
proteins, new toppings, new sauces that
kind of keep the sandwiches interesting for
the consumers these days."

"Now we're seeing that consumers are looking for more diversity in what they're eating. If they're going to buy a grab-and-go
sandwich, they want something a little different than what they can make at home."

In October, Raybern's introduced its Grilled
Melts line of grilled cheese sandwiches that
cash in on the bold, unique flavor trend.

"There's a demand for a fulﬁlling
sandwich that gives you the healthy
protein you're looking for."
MARISSA GOMES, RAYBERN FOODS

That has caused Raybern's to complement
its famous Philly Cheesteak - which the
company says is the top-selling cheesesteak sandwich in the U.S. - with flavors
like Southwest Steak, Chicken Bacon &
Ranch, and Ham and Cheese on Pretzel.
But the research and development team is
still cooking up ideas.

The line consists of six flavors, including:
3 Amigos, The Scapegoat, The BMC, Stay
Cheesy!, Mr. Italiano and Let There Be Pork.
The line - launched exclusively in
Walmart's deli and frozen sections - is
inspired by food truck culture, both in its
flavors and its light-hearted names. Early
returns have shown that the BMC, or Bacon
Mac'n'Cheese, has been perhaps an unexpected favorite, Gomes says.
"It takes two things that people love -
you've got bacon mac'n'cheese and you've
got a grilled cheese sandwich - and you
put them together," she says.
"At first people kind of think 'Is that going

The company's sandwiches can also be
found on a regional basis in Costco and
Sam's Club, as well as supermarket graband-go sections.
Retailers ranging from Price Chopper to
Hy-Vee to Walmart's smaller Neighborhood
Markets carry Raybern's products.
Gomes says the company is currently increasing its focus on serving c-store foodservice departments.
That increases the need for customization
and a clear understanding of what each retailer needs.
"It's working with the retailer to understand
what area of the store our sandwiches work
best in for them," Gomes says.
"We do have some retailers who are looking at taking our sandwiches and heating
them up in the back of the deli and then
bring them out and serving them as a nice,
hot sandwich. It kind of depends on the retailer needs: where they're going to put it in
the store and what they're looking to do to
serve their shopper."

commissary INSIDER * DECEMBER 2018 * 33

Instore - December 2018

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