Never-frozen, grab-and-go options now available nationwide with McLane’s cold-chain solution

McLane Company Inc., one of the nation’s largest distributors and a trusted partner to retail and restaurant brands, today announced the launch of its National Commissary program, a groundbreaking extension of its McLane Fresh programs, delivering fresh, never-frozen, grab-and-go foods with a seven-day refrigerated shelf life to convenience stores across the country.

“McLane’s new National Commissary program represents our investment in shaping the future of food in convenience retail,” said Jon Cox, McLane’s vice president of retail foodservice. “The program is built around what today’s consumer expects—fresh, flavorful food—and what operators need: safety, efficiency and simplicity. We’re proud to help our customers grow their grab-and-go business with a program that’s easy to implement and built for success.”

Convenience retailers are experiencing growing demand for fresh food options that rival what consumers can get at fast-casual restaurants and grocery stores. McLane Fresh, with programs like Central Eats, CupZa! and Prendisimo, meets this trend by offering a consistent and operationally seamless way for retailers to grow food sales without expanding in-store prep or labor.

Central Eats, part of McLane Fresh, provides retailers with high-quality, prepackaged, grab-and-go cold items, such as subs, sliders, salads and fruit cups, with an industry-leading seven-day shelf life and no artificial additives. Products are prepared through the nationwide commissary network, ensuring consistent quality and safe delivery via McLane’s proprietary cold-chain logistics.

McLane’s National Commissary line, developed under its Central Eats brand, includes:

• Cold handhelds like sandwiches, wraps and sliders
• Protein-rich snack trays and sweet-and-salty combos
• Better-for-you options such as veggie cups, salads, oatmeal and parfaits
• Global flavor combinations for modern palates

All items are fresh, never frozen and individually wrapped. Packaging is designed for easy merchandising and customer enjoyment, whether in refrigerated cooler cases, near hot food items for bundling or as part of a store’s all-day meal options, from breakfast to late-night snacks.

“EG America recognizes that scaling our foodservice offerings presents an opportunity to add more high-quality, grab-and-go items. Participating in McLane’s National Commissary program has allowed us to do just that,” said Brian Ferguson, EG America's chief marketing officer and senior vice president. “Central Eats’ fresh, never-frozen products and premium ingredients align perfectly with our commitment to quality and convenience. This program is helping us elevate our foodservice strategy and drive growth across our stores.”

The program supports both large and small operators with flexible piece-pick ordering, reducing waste and enabling customization by location. Customers receive National Commissary items alongside their regular McLane deliveries, simplifying inventory and reducing operational complexity.

To learn more about McLane and its convenience c-store solutions, visit mclaneco.com/cstore-solutions.

About McLane

Founded in 1894, McLane Company Inc. is one of the largest distributors in America, serving convenience stores, mass merchants, and chain restaurants. As an industry-leading partner to the biggest retail and restaurant businesses, McLane buys, sells, delivers, and serves the world’s most beloved brands. With headquarters in Temple, Texas, McLane has more than 80 distribution centers across the country, employs more than 25,000 teammates, and delivers to nearly every zip code in the US. McLane is a wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.

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The program is built around what today’s consumer expects—fresh, flavorful food—and what operators need: safety, efficiency and simplicity.