Explore the convenience-store (c-store) market in the US with this dynamic report. Consumer insights shed light on the performance of the industry as a whole, enabling your business growth.
Below, we’ve summarized the key topics covered, and offer hand-selected insights from the full document.
Key Topics Covered
- C-store visitation trends and frequency.
- Consumer perception of c-store foodservice.
- Consumer engagement with c-store foodservice.
- Relevant dining occasions.
- Consumer attitudes on c-store foodservice vs restaurants.
C-Store Foodservice Market Growth
The convenience-store foodservice market grew an estimated 14% in 2023. Mintel predicts that this growth—sustained by increased investment—will establish steady continued growth over the next five years. With major players rolling out store designs that enable a better foodservice customer experience and strong foodservice-leaning loyalty programs, the c-store foodservice industry is poised to be a solid fast-food alternative.
C-Store Foodservice Consumer Insights
- C-store foodservice purchase occasions: Consumers tend not to rely on c-store foodservice for healthy or late-night snacks. Instead, they’re mostly purchasing when on the go (nearly six in 10 consumers). Facing fewer options when traveling, consumers permit convenience and indulgence in smaller portions.
- Consumer c-store foodservice perceptions: Convenience and taste top consumers’ perceptions of c-store foodservice. Despite operators’ efforts to elevate menus, consumers still lack perceptions of health and quality. While consumers aren’t looking for a high-quality dining experience, they will need assurance of quality.
- Exploration of frequent c-store foodservice shoppers: Men are more likely to be frequent shoppers than women, suggesting a more positive view from men, and a service that is more likely to fit into their schedules. C-store foodservice operators can do more to meet women’s needs, e.g. by making ordering/pickup a faster process that fits into their commutes, or by offering in-store baked goods alongside coffee.
Find a complete analysis of the c-store foodservice consumer in the full report. You may also be interested in our other in-store foodservice market research.
Expert Analysis
Leading foodservice analyst Varchasvi delivers expert industry insights with this in-depth report.
Strengthening breakfast and snack offerings at c-stores can transform consumer perceptions of foodservice quality, helping establish parity with QSRs.
Varchasvi
Research Analyst
Collapse All
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- Key issues covered in this Report
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Executive Summary
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Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Store visitation and shopping frequency
- Graph 1: convenience store visitation, 2022-23
- Graph 2: convenience store shopping frequency, 2023
- Frequent c-store foodservice shoppers: a closer look
- Graph 3: convenience store shopping frequency, by gender, 2023
- Graph 4: convenience store shopping frequency, by work from home status, 2023
- Graph 5: convenience store shopping frequency, by generation, 2023
- Graph 6: c-store foodservice purchase occasions, by purchase frequency, 2023
- Graph 7: c-store foodservice associations, by purchase frequency, 2023
- Convenience store foodservice: usage and interest
- Graph 8: usage of and interest in c-store items, 2023
- Graph 9: usage of and interest in c-store items – Net, 2023
- Purchase occasions
- Graph 10: c-store foodservice purchase occasions, 2023
- Graph 11: c-store foodservice purchase occasions, by gender, 2023
- Graph 12: c-store foodservice purchase occasions, by parental status, 2023
- Graph 13: c-store foodservice purchase occasions, by generation, 2023
- Graph 14: interest in c-store food purchase occasions from non-shoppers, 2023
- Convenience store foodservice perception
- Graph 15: c-store foodservice associations, 2023
- Graph 16: c-store foodservice associations, by parental status, 2023
- Attitudes
- Graph 17: c-store foodservice attitudes, 2023
- Graph 18: c-store foodservice attitudes, 2023
- Graph 19: c-store foodservice attitudes, 2023
- Graph 20: c-store foodservice attitudes, by region, 2023
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Competitive Strategies
- Marketing and advertising
- Menu activity and innovation
- Opportunities
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The Market
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Graph 21: Consumer Price Index change from previous period, 2022-23
- Market size and forecast
- Market segmentation
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Appendix
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