Traveling across Ohio to Michigan on a holiday trip with my family, we stopped by a Panera Bread for a very late lunch to go. I ordered via the kiosk instead of by app, thinking somehow it would be quicker, then stood within view of the food prep area to watch the crew of mostly teens and twentysomethings work the line. The restaurant was slammed with orders, so it was a long wait. Taped to a nearby wall was a message for the food-prep team: 

“Associates: Make sure you are using the correct scoops & weighing out Smoked Chicken & Salad Chicken!!!! We are going through way too much food!! Management” 

If you have a foodservice operation, I suspect that you can relate. Eyeballing portions leaves supplies and your bottom line to chance. Machine learning can help. What once was a Jetsons-like idea is now mainstream. In our cover story, we interview thought leaders in the burgeoning field of artificial intelligence about the technology’s applications for foodservice and retail operations and share how Parker’s Kitchen is using AI-based predictive analytics to optimize store-level performance. 

“What once was a Jetsons-like idea is now mainstream”

A growth area for c-store foodservice operations is dinner, especially since the morning rush still isn’t back to where it was in late 2019. Keeping to-go food—especially hot food—at the perfect temperature for transporting home or via delivery is a challenge that we explore in “Package Deal.” What’s more, many customers also expect sustainable packaging. Fortunately, there are options. 

Speaking of dinner, I had the pleasure of enjoying authentic Indian street food from a local gas station with an attached foodservice operation called Chit Chaat Café. The butter chicken was amazing! Be sure to read this month’s Gas Station Gourmet column for an introduction to this family-run gem in Vienna, Virginia. 

Don’t miss our interview with Jared Scheeler, CEO of The Hub stores, who is at the helm of the NACS Board of Directors this year as chairman. A true champion of convenience retailing, Scheeler shares his vision for the industry, especially when it comes to small operators. 

Are you excited about 2022? Call me cautiously optimistic. Happy New Year, my friends.