Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/414216
27 Oil Prophets popular), as well as organic coffee or Fair Trade coffee depending on the customer base. "Consumer research shows that you can get very high levels of consumer preference coverage (upwards of 80 percent) by simply offering four different varieties of coffee," said Mathew Mandeltort, another member of the How To Crew and corporate foodservice manager at Eby-Brown Co. LLC. "After that, the gains are incremental in nature." Mandeltort also noted that operators often confuse variety with the number of options and flavors offered. Instead, operators should focus on a well-designed condiment bar and offer customers ample ways to customize their coffee with a wide variety of creams, milks, sweeteners, syrups, toppings, etc. Although CSNews' How To Crew members are divided on the optimal coffee and condiment bar layout -- linear vs. an island layout approach -- all agree customer flow is the most important consideration so that multiple customers can serve themselves and customize their coffee simultaneously. Most of the experts recommend two distinct areas in the coffee section: a place to pour the coffee and a place to customize the coffee with condiments. Minno noted that coffee cups and lids should be stocked at both locations for easy customer access. The bottom line is that c-store operators must be sure to build a detailed strategic business plan for their coffee program expansion, commit the resources from the outset to execute the plan and focus on the many operations details –– training, customer service, customer flow, merchandising, equipment and inventory management –– that can make or break a program. Editor's note: Check out the July issue of Convenience Store News for our full report on how to take your coffee program to the next level, including special tips for beginner, intermediate and advanced operators. " "31/&*"//"2"(+,)"*0*$". ##& " )&(.(1.+/1*+ +&* +) " &/0.&10+.."*$". ##& " )&($%.!""/1*+ +&* +) The Proof is in the Performance! #+1*!"!&*1*+ +&/+*"+#0%"(.$"/0)".& *+3*"! *!+,".0"!&*!","*!"*0).'"0"./&*0%" +1*0.5 #2". 5"./+#,.+2&!&*$%&$%-1(&05#1"(/ ###& &(1"(+# 6 *!*!5. &*$".&"/ #*"03+.'+#,&,"(&*"/*!0".)&*(/"*/1."/,.+!1 0&/ 2&(("3%"**!3%"."5+1*""!&0 #4 "(("*0/("//1,,+.0*!).'"0&*$&*&0&0&2"/ #0.+*$ +*/1)".*! +))". &( .!).'"0&*$,.+$.)/ MAKE THE CHANGE TO SUNOCO... "" ""! Karen Moore Distributor Area Manager Cell: 610.613.1630 Email: kmoore@sunocoinc.com Tony Lauro New Business Development Manager Office: 704.721.0006 Email: arlauro@sunocoinc.com