Show summary Hide summary
Walmart is quietly beefing up its in-store dining options by adding hot dog stations from Texas-born Crave Hot Dogs & Barbeque, a family-run chain that has expanded from food trucks to express counters. Shoppers can expect quick, grill-side meals inside select Supercenters as the retailer experiments with more food-service partners beyond its traditional offerings.
Walmart brings Crave hot dog stands into stores
Crave has begun installing compact food counters inside certain Walmart locations. These are not full restaurants. They are express stations meant for shoppers who want a fast bite while they shop.
Daily service will span breakfast, lunch, and dinner at participating stores. The model focuses on speed and convenience over full table service. Crave leaders say the arrangement helps reach customers who might not visit a standalone restaurant.
Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. earns rare Kyrie Irving comp from Bill Simmons
Sean Penn awarded Oscar forged from war-damaged Ukrainian train: he skipped the ceremony
What Crave will serve inside Walmart
Crave’s menu emphasizes grilled specialty hot dogs and Southern barbecue items. The brand highlights real beef and smokehouse flavors.
- Hot dogs: Chicago-style and other specialty topped dogs
- Barbecue: Ribs, brisket offerings, and classic sides
- Bowls and combos: Items like Mac N Brisket bowls
- Light breakfast options at some locations
Beyond the express counters, Crave still operates brick-and-mortar restaurants and food trucks. This mix of formats lets the brand adapt its menu and layout to different store footprints.
Which Walmart stores will get Crave counters
The chain opened a Crave station in the Walmart Supercenter in New Smyrna Beach, Florida, in September 2024. That location marks one of the first in-store rollouts.
Crave has plans to accelerate growth within Walmart and on its own real estate. Multiple units are already in development.
- Existing and planned builds in Florida, Ohio, and Kentucky
- Further expansions slated for New York, Georgia, and Texas
- Ambitious goal: management has mentioned scaling to more than 100 units over the next year
Why the partnership matters for shoppers and brands
Walmart’s collaboration with regional chains offers quick meals and a new reason to linger during shopping trips. For restaurant operators, the partnership provides instant foot traffic and lower real-estate friction.
Benefits for customers
- Fast, affordable meals inside a one-stop shopping trip
- Familiar regional flavors introduced to new markets
- Convenience of in-store pick-up and dining
Benefits for restaurants
- Access to Walmart’s large customer base
- Reduced costs versus standalone locations
- Opportunities to test markets quickly
Part of a bigger in-store dining push
Walmart isn’t stopping with Crave. It has been forming similar deals with sit-down and fast-casual brands. One recent example is Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, which plans to open a dozen in-store counters across Texas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Kentucky.
Executives from partner brands say these agreements help them meet fast expansion goals. For Walmart, the strategy enhances the shopping experience and adds fresh food choices without converting large store spaces.
How this could reshape grocery trips
Integrating recognizable restaurant concepts into big-box stores may shift how customers shop. Quick meals can make errands feel less rushed and turn a weekly grocery run into a mini outing.
- Short-term impact: increased foot traffic and longer visits
- Long-term effect: more brands experimenting with micro-outlets inside retailers
- Potential outcome: wider national availability for regional chains
