The Return of Grocerants

A Walmart spokesperson told Fast Casual that they are looking looking to both restaurants and services that really relevant to our customers

As many retailers have struggled since the pandemic, Walmart had to face an unusual situation, McDonald's and Subway operators who prospered by their in Walmart locations were shuttering their doors. Walmart, always thinking ahead, decided to fill that in-store space with "relevant" tenants, ranging from local businesses to foodservice operators according to Fast Casual. A smart move as ‘local’ becomes even more important post pandemic as well as shoppers yearning for those foods they haven’t been able to create at home over the past year plus.  Example: local fast casual brand la Madeleine French Bakery & Café will launch "Express" locations within 10 Walmart stores throughout Dallas-Fort Worth this year with the first opening in Garland, Texas in July.

The Express prototype store features a footprint ranging from 980 to 2,209 square feet and the menu will include fan favorites including chicken Caesar salad as well as new items, including pizza, created specifically for the Walmart location. Each bakery will also feature a retail section offering shoppers menu items as well in addition to new products such as jams and sauces. la Madeleine French Bakery & Café, founded in 1981, operates more than 86 corporate and franchise bakeries in nine states. A Walmart spokesperson told Fast Casual that they are looking looking to both restaurants and services that really relevant to our customers — be it local businesses (locally owned barber shops), a service that has localized relevance (tool rentals in the Carolinas) or a larger chain that is really delivering on how customers are looking to shop/get their meals (Domino's)."  Retail Customer Experience reported last week that Walmart Canada and Ghost Kitchen Brands announced a partnership for a one-stop meal pickup and delivery services involving a slew of brands, including Saladworks and Quiznos within Walmart locations. "We believe in Ghost Kitchen's strategy and vision and we're very excited to be the first retailer to team up with Ghost Kitchens," Sam Hamam, senior director of licensees at Walmart Canada, said in a news release. "We're always looking at ways to improve our customer shopping experience with greater access to affordable products, services and brands."

Good for Walmart, bad news for McDonalds and Subway as post-pandemic behavior continues.