Foodservice highlights from NACS 2025 show
This year’s NACS Show Expo in Chicago highlighted a range of products and services from over 1,200 exhibitors, of which 180 exhibitors were new to the show.
Highlights included the growing use of AI-enabled technologies in c-stores, better-for-you snacks and beverages for health-conscious consumers along with a growing number of international foods and flavours hitting c-store shelves and amongst fresh-food offerings.
Philip Santini, Rutter’s senior director of foodservice and bar strategy, spoke at one of the many Education Sessions on why new flavours will matter to c-stores
“Flavor is the heartbeat of innovation. I didn’t come up with that, but it’s true,” said Santini during his presentation. “It’s one of those things that you definitely need to be paying attention to and focusing on.”
He stressed when adding a new flavour to a food or snack offering, it is best to take a careful approach to see if it works for one’s operations and will attract customers.
“Does it feel like your brand? For us, it’s very easy to bring in something because we have such an expansive menu,” Santini said. “There are many, many categories where we can cross-utilize a product. Does it fit a daypart? Does it not fit a daypart? Can you source it in a reliable fashion?”
Coffee continues to be an important item for c-store foodservice operators, with exhibitors and speakers showcasing the newest innovation in coffee and what is important for customers.
Casey’s, the United States’ third-largest c-store chain, used the show to speak about its recently launched “Darn Good Coffee” line, that the operator said was built around customer feedback and flavor explorations.
“We are always working on building our brand,” said Steve Kapple, senior category manager, dispensed beverages, for Casey’s. “Value is key but so is presenting high-quality products. Rewards are also a huge play for us. We’re able to push guests toward the platform and incentivize them to keep them coming back.”
Kwik Trip’s director of category management, foodservice, said that a successful coffee service and offering needs to be built on providing a consistent product and going forward creating a curated coffee experience that can be shared by customers across social media to drive further sales and build brand loyalty.
At the Cool New Products Preview Room, 346 new products where on-hand to be viewed by attendees. Some of the most commented upon new products, according to the show’s organizers of this year's exhibit, were:
- Philadelphia to Go (Kraft Heinz)
- Self-serve bakery display by Palram 4U (Palram 4U)
- CigarBros vertical-standing humidor system (CigarBros USA Inc.)
- Come Ready Foods’ Ready Protein Bar, Clear Protein Water and Protein Puffs (Come Ready Foods LLC)
- Die-cast pull-back cars 225 ct. floor display (K&S Wholesale Inc.)
- Skippy Oatmeal Protein Pie and Dippin’ Dots Birthday Cake Protein Donut (Redefine Foods)
