Foodservice
Rich Products Acquires North America's Largest Private Label Pizza Manufacturer
Rich Products announced on Monday the acquisition of Great Kitchens Food Company, the largest private label bake-and-serve pizza manufacturer in North America. The deal adds Great Kitchens' fully topped pizzas, including deep-dish and handheld pizzas, to Rich's existing pizza portfolio, which primarily consists of crusts and doughs. Financial terms were not disclosed. This move is expected to help convenience store customers narrow the foodservice gap with QSRs.
Three Key Data Points: Convenience Stores Accelerate Their Move into the 'Third Space'
Convenience stores are transitioning from the traditional 'grab-and-go' model to the 'third space.' The Paytronix 2026 trend report reveals that 85% of consumers have tried convenience store freshly prepared food, 72% believe it can replace fast food restaurants, and convenience stores with membership programs can see sales increase by over 20%.