How to Position Pizza Snacks, WingBites®, and Grab-and-Go Items for Maximum Sales
Snacking isn’t just a habit —it’s part of everyday life. For today’s busy customers, snacks are fuel between meetings, after-school treats, late-night cravings, and everything in between. And for C-store owners, that opens up an important sales opportunity. By positioning warm, satisfying snack items like Hunk A Pizza® and WingBites in the right way, you can boost same store sales, move more product throughout the day, and keep customers coming back for quick, tasty options they can grab on the go.
If you’re only thinking about your foodservice program for lunch or dinner sales, you’re missing out. Between-meal cravings, quick snack breaks, and after-work hunger are all chances to boost your bottom line—with the right snacks, the right setup, and the right marketing.
Here’s how to turn your snack game into real revenue.
Snacks Are Serious Business
You know it, we know it: people love snacks. Most people snack at least one – and often a few– times a day. For C-stores, that means multiple chances per customer, per day, to make a sale outside of traditional mealtimes.
Pizza and wings might not be the first thing customers think of when they hear “snack,” but that’s exactly why they stand out. Instead of prepackaged chips or candy bars, you can offer something hot, fresh, and filling without a wait. When you position these items as snacks—not just meals—you tap into a much wider customer need.
Reframe Your Pizza as a Snack
Pizza is one of the top-selling items in convenience stores, but most customers still think of it as a lunch or dinner choice. By shifting that mindset—and positioning pizza as a quick, satisfying snack—you can open up new opportunities to drive sales throughout the day. A Hunk A Pizza can be the perfect solution for someone who’s hungry but short on time, especially during late mornings, mid-afternoons, or late-night hours.
Here’s how:
- Promote the Hunk A Pizza as a quick bite, not just a lunch or dinner option. It’s easy to carry, easy to eat, and hits the spot.
- Position Thin Crust as a lighter option for people who want something savory without feeling stuffed.
- Use signage and staff prompts to reframe pizza as a quick grab—“Just need a snack? Grab a slice!”
These subtle shifts can turn your mid-morning or late-afternoon traffic into reliable revenue.
WingBites: Your Snack MVP
WingBites are tailor-made for snack sales. Those bite-sized, boneless pieces of chicken are small, protein-packed, and perfectly portioned—just right for customers who want something hot and satisfying without committing to a full meal. They’re easy to eat on the go, work well as a standalone snack, and pair well with other items like chips, a fountain drink, or even a Hunk. Because they bake quickly and hold well in a warmer, WingBites are a smart option to keep stocked between peak mealtimes when customers are looking for fast, flavorful grab-and-go options.
Why WingBites work:
- No mess, no silverware, no fuss. Just pop them in a tray and go.
- They bake quickly. Keep a fresh batch in the warmer to catch impulse buyers during high-traffic times.
- They work well as upsells. When a customer orders a Hunk A Pizza, suggest WingBites as a side.
- They’re easy-peasy to combo. WingBites pair great with a fountain drink or snack-size chips for an easy, satisfying combo.
Make it Easy to Grab and Go.
The way you display grab-and-go snacks can make or break a sale. Keep your warmer clean, organized, and easy to shop—no clutter, no empty spots, and no expired products. Snacks should always be hot, fresh, and ready to grab with little effort. Placement is just as important: positioning snacks near the checkout, fountain drinks, or coffee station can prompt impulse purchases from shoppers who didn’t even know they were hungry.
Here’s how to get the most out of your warmer:
- Stock snack portions like WingBites and wings during off-peak hours to keep sales steady.
- Keep it clean and clutter-free. A spotless warmer and well-lit food display builds trust and appetite.
- Use POP signage to highlight snack options, combos, or limited time offers.
- Position your warmer near the register or in high-traffic zones to catch impulse buyers on the go.
The more visible and convenient your snack setup is, the more sales you’ll see.
Combos = Bigger Ticket Sales
What starts as a $2 snack can quickly become a $6 sale when you add a fountain drink or chips. These small add-ons may seem minor, but over the course of a day—or across multiple stores—they make a big impact on your bottom line. Combos also take the guesswork out of ordering for your customers. By bundling popular snack items like WingBites or wings, a Hunk, or even a Hunk of breakfast pizza with a drink or side, you’re not just increasing ticket size—you’re offering a quick, easy solution for busy people on the go.
Try promoting:
- Hunk + Fountain Drink = Perfect Pit Stop
- WingBites + Chips + Drink = Snack Combo to Go
- Add a Drink for $1 off with any hot snack purchase
A well-priced combo deal is a win-win: it feels like value to your customer and delivers real revenue to your store.
Target the Right Dayparts
When are customers most likely to snack? It’s not always when you’d expect. Snacking habits don’t follow the same rules as traditional mealtimes—and that’s good news for your store. In the convenience space, traffic often spikes during “in-between” hours. These are times when customers are on the go, running errands, or commuting—looking for something quick to hold them over. According to convenience store traffic patterns, snacks tend to peak during:
- Late mornings (9 a.m. – 11 a.m.) – After the breakfast rush, but before lunch. Customers are often grabbing a quick bite to fuel the rest of their morning.
- Mid-afternoons (2 p.m. – 4 p.m.) – This is a classic energy slump window. Whether they’re at work or picking up kids from school, people are looking for something filling but not heavy.
- Evenings (7 p.m. – 9 p.m.) – Dinner might be over, but cravings still hit. These later hours can be a prime time for indulgent or “second dinner” snacks, especially for shift workers or travelers.
By understanding these peak snack windows, you can stock and market accordingly—keeping your warmers full and your combos front and center when customers are most likely to say yes.
Train Your Team to Suggest Snacks
Don’t forget the power of your people. Your team plays a big role in driving snack sales all day long. Employees are one of your most effective sales tools—and when they’re trained to suggest small add-ons at the right time, it makes a big difference. A friendly, well-timed suggestion can turn a one-item transaction into a combo sale or spark interest in a product the customer hadn’t considered.
Train your staff to keep snack options top of mind. When a customer is checking out, encourage simple, low-pressure prompts like:
- “Hungry for a snack?”
- “Want to add some WingBites to that order?”
- “We’ve got fresh Hunks in the warmer—want one to go?”
- “Grab a drink and make it a combo!”
It’s not about being pushy—it’s about being helpful and creating value for the customer. Over time, suggestive selling becomes second nature, and those small upsells can add up to major revenue.
FAQ
Q: How do I know which snacks are selling best?
A: Your TBHC Delivers Account Manager can help you track sales and identify top-performing snack items for your store. They can also help you adjust stock levels to match demand during specific dayparts.
Q: What snacks should I stock during slow times?
A: WingBites, wings, and Hunks are ideal—they’re quick to prep and sell well throughout the day. Keep the warmer stocked, even when traffic is light.
Q: How do I know what’s working?
A: Monitor sales by time of day. Use your Point-of-Sale (POS) system or Sales & Waste Charts from the Pizza Portal to track what sells and adjust inventory accordingly.
Q: How often should I change out snacks in the warmer?
A: Stick to hold times and rotate in fresh items. Your Account Manager can help you plan the right prep schedule for your store’s traffic.
Q: What if I don’t have room for more snacks?
A: Start small. Even adding a Hunk or WingBites display near the counter can create quick wins.
Ready to Grow Snack Sales?
Your pizza program isn’t just for lunch and dinner anymore. With the right mix of portion sizes, warmer placement, and staff training, snackable items like Hunk A Pizza and WingBites can become steady sellers all day long.
Need help stocking, marketing, or setting up your snack strategy?
Talk to your TBHC Delivers Account Manager today for personalized support that helps you sell more and waste less.
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TBHC Delivers
TBHC Delivers is the largest distributor of Hunt Brothers Pizza; we are our own business and brand. We own our trucks and follow, believe and deliver on all Hunt Brothers Pizza’s visions. TBHC Delivers builds upon the high-quality product of Hunt Brothers Pizza with value-add customer service like our 15-Point Promise.