CHICAGO – Reporting from the NACS Show last week in Chicago, Food Business News says that Tyson Foods’ expansion into convenience stores underscores the company’s confidence in the channel.

At the NACS Show in Chicago, Tyson Convenience, a division of the company, showcased a wide assortment of grab-and-go, heat-and-eat and made-to-order items that span multiple dayparts and unique flavor profiles to capture emerging consumer demographics.

“Convenience stores are becoming food destinations,” Nancy Todys, vice-president of marketing for Tyson Convenience, told the news source. “Operators are stepping up with better offerings.”

Earlier this year, Tyson Foods Inc. and AdvancePierre Foods Holdings Inc. announced a definitive merger agreement to combine their two highly complementary portfolios. The combination of the two companies is now bringing a portfolio of more than 60 items from recognizable brands like Ball Park, Hillshire Farms, Jimmy Dean and State Fair to convenience stores.

Food Business News writes that the foodservice offers brought forth by the Tyson and AdvancePierre merger were on display at the NACS Show, highlighting new innovations in grab-and-go sandwiches. “Featuring transparent packaging with a recessed rigid lid to retain freshness, Fresh-Cut Sandwiches from AdvancePierre include such varieties as black forest ham and swiss, chicken salad and Southwest turkey wrap,” notes the news source.

AdvancePierre’s the Hot N’ Ready line of breakfast sandwiches has been upgraded with new ingredients and packaging, notes the news source, adding that the new package features a hand-wrapped look with a window for product viewing prior to purchase. Todys said that the transition to a semi-transparent sandwich wrap follows extensive research and consumer insights.

“Gone are the days of mystery meat in a c-store,” Anne Livermore, director of sales, Convenience Channel West at Tyson Foods, told the news source.

Two of Tyson’s new products featured in the Cool New Products Preview Room at the NACS Show also appeared in the top 10 of total product scans by event participants who frequented the unique area. The Hillshire Snacking Small Plates and Fresh-Cut Sandwiches with Flavor-Guard Packaging captured the attention of NACS Show attendees. For the past 17 years, the Cool New Products Preview Room at the NACS Show has served as the destination for attendees to see new products, flavors, packaging and innovations available to the convenience and fuel retailing industry.