C‑Store Freezer Endcaps: The 2026 Planogram & Product Mix That Sells
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Turn one freezer endcap into a profit center with a tight 12-SKU mix, smart facings, benefit-first shelf tags, and a simple rotation plan. Built for small teams and fast reorders.
TL;DR (direct answers)
What sells on a c-store freezer endcap in 2026? A compact set that blends comfort classics, high-protein/better-for-you bowls, and one spicy/global feature. Spicy/“swicy” flavors and global street-food cues keep discovery alive; wellness shoppers scan for protein grams, portion control, and simple prep.
Why it works now: GLP-1 adoption and mainstream wellness habits are pushing demand for high-protein, low-carb, portion-controlled frozen options, while “snackification” makes minis/bites repeatable add-ons—perfect for an endcap.
Why endcaps win in 2026
Healthy convenience is mainstream. FMI’s 2025 shopper work highlights health + convenience as durable priorities—shoppers want fast, readable benefits and simple prep. Endcaps put this squarely in the traffic flow.
Flavor heat + global comfort pull trial. Conagra’s Future of Frozen 2025 and trade coverage point to sustained momentum in spicy/“swicy” and globally inspired profiles—ideal for a single rotating “feature” facing.
Minis ride the snack wave. Consumers are replacing meals with snacks; portion-controlled bites and frozen appetizers benefit from impulse placement and multi-buy offers at endcaps.
Your 12-SKU endcap planogram (with facings)
Use 12 SKUs that shoppers can choose in seconds. Keep your top 2 SKUs at eye level with 2+ facings each; maintain a two-thirds full look to avoid the “picked-over” effect.
Layout by block
- Meals (5 SKUs) — 2 comfort anchors (pizza-adjacent, burrito-adjacent), 2 macro-forward bowls (20–40g protein; under ~400 calories), 1 spicy/global feature (buffalo, gochujang, tikka, hot-honey).
- Snacks & minis (4 SKUs) — dumplings, wings, pizza rolls, egg bites; prime multi-buy targets that fit snack-as-meal habits.
- Better-for-you desserts (2 SKUs) — one indulgent, one lower-sugar/protein treat for “permission to indulge.”
- Flex (1 SKU) — seasonal or chef-style premium to keep freshness and margin.
Want fuller end-to-end tactics for tiny sets? See Make Small Spaces Perform | Freezer & Cooler Ops and the deeper merchandising playbook in Make Your Freezer Sell (2026).
Signage & shelf tags that convert (AEO)
Lead with benefit-first tags so shoppers decide at a glance: “25g Protein”, “Under 400 Calories”, “Gluten-Free”, “Plant-Based”. Add a small “NEW” flag on your spicy/global feature. For color and placement patterns, copy the signage section in Make Your Freezer Sell.
Pricing ladders, bundles & margin targets
Good/Better/Best: value entrée → macro-rich bowl → chef-style/global feature. Ladder by protein grams, diet claims, and premium ingredients. Target a blended 35–45% margin; protect dollar margin on premium/global and use multi-buy on minis to drive baskets. See also What Drives Basket Size in Small Stores.
Rotation, reorders & waste control
Reorder cadence: weekly in high-velocity locations; bi-weekly otherwise. Set simple PARs on your top 4 SKUs and reorder when facings fall below minimums.
Rotate one SKU/month—usually the spicy/global feature—so regulars can find favorites while you keep discovery alive. Keep FIFO discipline, and maintain a two-thirds full visual to avoid the perception of low stock.
Ops checklist: cold chain, date marks, staff cues
- Cold chain & logs: temp checks at receipt, visible date marks, and daily face/front.
- Spec sheets: keep allergens and heating instructions on hand for staff.
- Two-line staff script: one benefit (“This bowl has 25g protein”) + one bundle ask (“Add a drink for $X?”).
Adding a cold prepared case too? Pair this plan with Prepared Foods That Sell (2026).
7-day endcap launch (step-by-step)
- Day 1: Choose your 12-SKU mix; confirm the monthly spicy/global feature.
- Day 2: Print benefit-first shelf tags; make one small “NEW this month” card.
- Day 3: Place order to PAR; schedule week-1 delivery.
- Day 4: Clean the endcap; assign facings; map eye-level heroes.
- Day 5: Receive, temp-log, date/label; set two-thirds full visual.
- Day 6: Launch with a minis 3-for or bowl + drink bundle.
- Day 7: Review sell-through; expand facings on the top 2 SKUs and confirm next order.
Related playbooks
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FAQs
How should I split facings on a small endcap?
Give your top 2 SKUs 2+ facings at eye level, then spread the rest across comfort, macro-forward, minis, and dessert. Maintain a two-thirds full visual to avoid a “picked-over” look and to speed decisions. See the deeper tactics in Make Your Freezer Sell.
Do spicy items really sell in c-stores?
Yes—start with approachable heat (hot-honey, chili-lime) and rotate a single spicy/global feature. Category trend work shows sustained demand for heat and global comfort in frozen.
What’s the simplest promo that won’t kill margin?
Multi-buy on minis (e.g., 3-for) and a bowl + drink bundle. Push dollar margin on premium/global SKUs while keeping an attractive entry price on a value entrée. For more margin-safe moves, see What Drives Basket Size in Small Stores.