Dive Brief:
- McLane Company has debuted its innovation kitchen — a full-scale replica that aims to show how foodservice equipment and products can fit into c-stores — at its headquarters in Temple, Texas, according to a Tuesday announcement.
- Designed for McLane’s c-store customers, the innovation kitchen shows how retail food operations can be laid out in various footprints and counter space configurations. The space will also serve as a dedicated hub for McLane’s foodservice team to develop and test new menu items.
- McLane’s latest project taps into the concept of food innovation, which continues to be a major focus point for convenience retailers attempting to narrow the gap with fast-food and quick-service restaurants.
Dive Insight:
Retailers can use McLane’s innovation kitchen not only to visualize how certain products and equipment fit into their stores, but to also sample new items and explore marketing materials, according to the announcement.
The space features McLane’s Cupza! beverage offerings, its Central Eats grab-and-go products, Prendisimo pizza and other made-to-order options. Additionally, the kitchen includes products from McLane’s emerging brands program as well as its private label assortment.
“Through this platform for product testing, creation and display, we have the opportunity to engage with customers at every stage of their retail foodservice journey,” Vito Maurici, customer experience officer for McLane, said in the announcement.
McLane has made several new additions to its line of products and services over the past year, including McLane Fresh, its c-store foodservice division, as well as Prendisimo pizza. The company also named its first vice president of foodservice last year in Jon Cox.
Founded in 1894, McLane is one of the largest distributors in the U.S., serving convenience stores, mass merchants and chain restaurants. The company has more than 80 distribution centers across the country and more than 25,000 employees.
