1. Newk’s Express Market, multiple locations
Fast casual Newk’s Eatery, the sandwich, salad and pizza chain founded by the team that created McAlister’s Deli, has rolled out its Express Market concept at 49 units—and plans to transform the existing grab-and-go coolers at all of its more than 120 units in coming months to the updated retail space. “Our competitors in the grocery space have been elevating their game,” said Michelle Spohnholz, the chain’s vice president of marketing. “This is our opportunity to leverage all the produce and gourmet ingredients we have.” The grab-and-go area, which has a separate cashier, includes prepared proteins such as broiled shrimp, sliced chicken and flash-seared ahi tuna. There are also family-sized containers of soup and items such as a pimento cheese ball, once only offered in catering packages. In the first quarter of 2019, the chain will test grab-and-go snack boxes, Spohnholz said. “We’ve learned our customers who come in for lunch will pick up dinner on the way out,” she said. “The more our operators get behind it and keep it stocked, the better it performs.”