US Convenience Store Foodservice Market Report 2026

The US convenience store foodservice market is projected to reach $78.1 billion in 2026, continuing steady year-over-year growth. Momentum is occurring within a more deliberate consumer environment: financial caution persists, food choices are anchored in habit and perceived value, reinforcing the need for clearer quality and price justification within routine trips.

While c-stores are strongly associated with convenience and affordability, these equities do not consistently translate into food-led consideration. Many visits remain transactional, particularly fuel-driven, and prepared food offerings must compete against ingrained QSR perceptions and expectations. Opportunities lie in refining core strengths rather than pursuing complexity. Improvements in food quality, value perception, and operational consistency rank above feature-driven upgrades. Beverages, customization, and visible freshness cues offer accessible pathways to drive incremental engagement. Digital tools such as order-ahead and frictionless pickup can further integrate foodservice into everyday routines.

The next phase of growth will favor operators who balance differentiation with affordability and strengthening credibility without disrupting the speed and ease that define the channel.

This Report Looks at the Following Areas:

• Market size and forecast for c-store FS segments
• Interest in improvements in c-store food/drink
• How consumers describe c-store food/drink
• Interest and experience in c-store food/drink
• Behaviors and attitudes towards c-store foodservice
• C-store FS launch activity and marketing

Market Definitions

For the purposes of this Report, Mintel defines convenience stores as establishments that retail a limited line of goods, primarily groceries and ready-to-consume beverages and snacks, in easily accessible locations. The majority of convenience stores also sell motor fuel. According to the NACS (National Association of Convenience Stores), common characteristics of convenience stores include:

• Building size of less than 5,000 square feet
• Stock of at least 500 SKUs
• Off-street parking and/or convenient pedestrian access
• Extended hours of operation with many open 24 hours a day, seven days a week

Note: Sales data in this Report includes foodservice sales only and excludes sales of retail products (eg CPG) and sales of gasoline. Foodservice outlets that are franchised and/or operated by third parties, such as a Subway operating in a c-store, are also excluded from the market size.