Dive Brief:
- Weigel’s has added a new smash burger menu to its foodservice program, the company announced on Tuesday.
- The smash burgers come in four types — The W, barbecue bacon cheddar, mushroom swiss, and The Scorcher — and cost $6 each, with additional patties for $2 each.
- With these burgers, Weigel’s is the latest convenience retailer adding new handhelds to its dining options.
Dive Insight:
So far in 2024, Rutter’s has added a pair of Mexican burritos to its stores’ offerings, while Casey’s General Stores boosted its nonpizza menu with four new sandwiches — two chicken, one burger and one pork. Stewart’s Shops and Dandy, meanwhile, both recently introduced waffle sandwiches.
Weigel’s debuted its smash burgers at a community event on June 15, where the company offered samples and gave away a Polaris 1000 side-by-side vehicle. The burgers sold out during the event.
"The overwhelming response to our Smash Burgers exceeded our expectations," said Ryan Blevins, director of food innovation at Weigel's. "Selling out on the first day demonstrates our customers' enthusiasm for quality, freshly made food, and we're excited to keep innovating our menu to meet their tastes."
Weigel’s is preparing for additional foodservice expansion in 2025 and beyond as it builds its first commissary, a 110,000-square-foot facility in Loudon, Tennessee, that will be used for preparing food for its c-stores and some distribution, said Elizabeth Hoffer, the company’s vice president of food and beverage.
Powell, Tennessee-based Weigel’s operates 79 convenience stores along with a dairy and bakery.
