Dive Brief:
- Dandy Mini Marts last week unveiled Dandy Fiesta, a Tex-Mex-themed limited-time offer, according to a company Facebook post.
- The offer includes tacos, loaded nachos and taco pizza. In addition, the company added specials for breakfast tacos and cold brew coffee.
- Dandy joins an array of c-stores offering LTOs this fall — from the pumpkin spice and apple-flavored food and drinks that have become a seasonal mainstay to more unusual fare like French toast breakfast sandwiches and squash soup.
Dive Insight:
Like many retailers, Dandy has made ample use of social media to tease its LTOs in order to generate excitement. “Big things coming soon!” read a post in late August, which included a picture of its mustachioed mascot preparing to hit a piñata.
The chain’s loaded nachos come with taco meat, cheddar cheese sauce and the customer’s choice of jalapenos, picante salsa and jalapeno ranch over tortilla chips, a company spokesperson said. The taco pizza includes taco meat, mozzarella cheese, tomato slices, a Monterey/cheddar cheese blend, jalapeno ranch, picante salsa and optional lettuce.
The fiesta LTO comes nearly three months after the company offered a series of signature hot dogs, which were available from June 26 to Aug. 22.
Dandy also noted on Facebook that pumpkin spice items are now available.
The c-store space has been rife with seasonal short-term food and drinks as a way to spice up menus without making long-term commitments. 7-Eleven released its fall LTOs in two batches, with pumpkin spice items hitting stores in August and a pumpkin muffin, gingerbread cookie, French toast breakfast sandwich and caramel macchiato coming out on Sept. 12.
Stewarts has added pumpkin and apple cider donuts and a variety of seasonal ice creams, but also a savory butternut squash soup. Rutter’s continues to operate a rotating LTO menu, the current version of which offers chicken and waffles, a donut breakfast sandwich and grilled mac & cheese.
Dandy owns and operates around 60 c-stores in northern Pennsylvania and southern New York State. The chain recently celebrated its 40th anniversary by donating $40,000 to various organizations.
