Dive - Episode 58 Guide

Mastering Fresh Food & Bakery: Your Guide to Product Excellence

Host: Mike Hernandez
Series: Dive from C-Store Center
Duration: 23 minutes

Episode Description

Transform your convenience store career by mastering today's hottest category - fresh food and bakery! In this game-changing episode of Dive, host Mike Hernandez reveals how sales associates can leverage product knowledge to boost sales, create loyal customers, and stand out in their roles. Discover why fresh food buyers spend an average of $4.50 more per visit and are 60% more likely to become regulars. With fresh food sales jumping 35% industry-wide and stores seeing up to 45% growth through active promotion, this episode equips you with the expertise to tap into this profitable trend. Whether you're new to the register or a seasoned associate, these techniques will help you turn your store from a quick stop into a food destination.

What You'll Learn

• Complete product knowledge of sandwiches, hot food items, salads, and bakery offerings
• Key selling points that highlight premium ingredients and freshness guarantees
• Food safety essentials that protect customers and build trust
• Strategic suggestive selling techniques tailored to different times of day
• How to create profitable bundles that increase basket size
• Real success stories from associates who've mastered fresh food sales

Key Segments

1. Fresh Food Category Deep Dive (7 min) 
   • Sandwich and wrap lineup: ingredients, prep methods, and storage requirements
   • Hot food rotation schedule and temperature management
   • Salad and produce freshness indicators and nutritional highlights
   • Seasonal offerings and dietary options (vegan, gluten-free)
2. Bakery Excellence (7 min) 
   • Morning bakery items and delivery schedules
   • Strategic coffee pairings that boost profits
   • All-day bakery bestsellers and peak selling times
   • Specialty and seasonal items, including pre-order options
   • Local partnerships that create exclusive selling points
3. Product Knowledge in Action (8 min) 
   • Premium supplier partnerships and freshness guarantees
   • Handling common customer questions about allergens and ingredients
   • Preparation methods and reheating instructions
   • Food safety fundamentals: temperature zones, handling procedures
   • Cross-contamination prevention and quality check protocols
4. Suggestive Selling Techniques (8 min) 
   • Time-based suggestions for breakfast, lunch, afternoon, and evening
   • Complementary product pairings that increase basket size
   • Customer-specific approaches for singles, families, and office orders
   • Bundle opportunities that drive higher transaction values
   • Problem-solving selling that anticipates customer needs

Success Stories

• Maria at Store 142 sold out of local sourdough rolls three days in a row by highlighting the local bakery partnership
• Sarah from Store 185 turned a $24 sale into a $75 order with the "Morning Meeting Bundle" suggestion
• Tom at Store 247 increased hot food sales by 30% in one week with the "Hot & Fresh Guarantee"
• James sold fifteen Chipotle chicken wraps in one day after experiencing the product firsthand

Key Statistics

• Fresh food sales in convenience stores have jumped 35% in the past year
• Customers who buy fresh food spend an average of $4.50 more per visit
• Fresh food buyers are 60% more likely to become regular customers
• The "Coffee Break Bundle" has increased afternoon sales by 45%
• 7 out of 10 customers don't realize convenience stores offer quality fresh food

Daily Product Knowledge Checklist

• Check today's fresh food delivery schedule
• Review current promotions and bundle deals
• Note seasonal items or limited-time offerings
• Verify temperature logs are up to date
• Learn one new product detail each shift

Connect With Us

Visit cstorethrive.com for additional training resources and to share your fresh food selling success stories!

Dive from C-Store Center is a Sink or Swim Production dedicated to helping convenience store professionals enhance their skills and advance their careers.

*Tags: #ConvenienceStore #FreshFood #Bakery #SalesTechniques #CustomerService #FoodSafety #ProductKnowledge #SuggestiveSelling