1. Department: Food

Surprising Fresh Meal Solutions: Convenience Stores

 


Steven Johnson Grocerant
Guru® at Tacoma, WA based
Foodservice
Solutions®
believes that customer migration from the restaurant sector to
the convenience store sector will continue. In the bustling world of quick
bites and on-the-go meals, 
convenience stores have quietly
transformed into unexpected champions of fresh food. These unassuming
neighborhood pit stops, once synonymous with chips, sodas, and lottery tickets,
are now outpacing many traditional restaurants in the race for hungry
customers. Let’s explore how these unassuming spots are dishing out more than
just snacks and becoming culinary contenders.

The Rise of Convenience
Store Food


1. Diverse Food
Options

Convenience stores have
expanded their culinary repertoire beyond the predictable. From hot
foods
 to grab-and-go refrigerated items, they cater to a
wide range of tastes. Whether you crave a hearty sandwich, a fresh salad, or a
steaming cup of soup, your local convenience store likely has it covered.

2. Health-Conscious
Choices

Consumers are
increasingly health-conscious, seeking out options that align with their
well-being. Convenience stores have responded by offering healthier
alternatives
. Think fresh fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and even plant-based
snacks. These choices appeal to busy individuals who want a quick meal without
compromising on nutrition.

3. Restaurant-Quality
Food

Gone are the days when
convenience store food meant greasy hot dogs under heat lamps. Today, these
stores prioritize quality. Their foodservice programs focus on
providing restaurant-quality meals. Whether it’s a crispy
fried chicken sandwich or a customized coffee, convenience stores are stepping
up their game.

4. Locally Sourced
Ingredients

The farm-to-table
movement isn’t exclusive to fancy bistros. Convenience stores are
embracing locally sourced ingredients. By partnering with
nearby suppliers, they offer fresher produce and support local communities.
This commitment to freshness resonates with consumers who appreciate knowing
where their food comes from.


5. Customization
and Convenience

Convenience stores
understand that one size doesn’t fit all. They allow customization—whether
it’s building your own sandwich or personalizing your coffee. Plus, their
extended hours mean you can grab a fresh meal at any time, even when other
eateries are closed.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to the National
Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)
, convenience store foodservice
sales hit new highs in 2022. Here’s a glimpse of the data:

·        
In-store
sales
 accounted
for 33.4% of industry sales, totaling $302.8 billion.

·        
Average
basket spending
 increased to $7.52 per
visit.

·        
Foodservice
sales
 represented 25.6% of
average monthly in-store sales and 36.1% of in-store gross
margin.

·        
Prepared food,
commissary items, and dispensed beverages (hot, cold, and frozen) contributed
to this growth.

The Future of
Convenience Food


As convenience stores
continue to evolve, they’re poised to become even more formidable players in
the food industry. Their commitment to freshness, customization, and quality
positions them as serious contenders. So next time you swing by your local convenience
store, don’t be surprised if you find a delicious meal waiting for you
alongside the chips and candy.

In the battle of fresh food,
convenience stores are proving that sometimes the best bites come from the most
unexpected places

ores: The Surprising
Fresh Food Heroes

In the bustling world of
quick bites and on-the-go meals, convenience stores have
quietly transformed into unexpected champions of fresh food. These unassuming
neighborhood pit stops, once synonymous with chips, sodas, and lottery tickets,
are now outpacing many traditional restaurants in the race for hungry
customers. Let’s explore how these unassuming spots are dishing out more than
just snacks and becoming culinary contenders.

The Rise of Convenience
Store Food


1. Diverse Food
Options

Convenience stores have
expanded their culinary repertoire beyond the predictable. From hot
foods
 to grab-and-go refrigerated items, they cater to a
wide range of tastes. Whether you crave a hearty sandwich, a fresh salad, or a
steaming cup of soup, your local convenience store likely has it covered.

2. Health-Conscious
Choices

Consumers are
increasingly health-conscious, seeking out options that align with their
well-being. Convenience stores have responded by offering healthier
alternatives
. Think fresh fruit cups, yogurt parfaits, and even plant-based
snacks. These choices appeal to busy individuals who want a quick meal without
compromising on nutrition.

3. Restaurant-Quality
Food

Gone are the days when
convenience store food meant greasy hot dogs under heat lamps. Today, these
stores prioritize quality. Their foodservice programs focus on
providing restaurant-quality meals. Whether it’s a crispy
fried chicken sandwich or a customized coffee, convenience stores are stepping
up their game.

4. Locally Sourced
Ingredients

The farm-to-table
movement isn’t exclusive to fancy bistros. Convenience stores are
embracing locally sourced ingredients. By partnering with
nearby suppliers, they offer fresher produce and support local communities.
This commitment to freshness resonates with consumers who appreciate knowing
where their food comes from.

Want Top-Line Sales Growth

Bottom-Line Profits 


Focus on Building Share of Stomach 

5. Customization
and Convenience

Convenience stores
understand that one size doesn’t fit all. They allow customization—whether
it’s building your own sandwich or personalizing your coffee. Plus, their
extended hours mean you can grab a fresh meal at any time, even when other
eateries are closed.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

According to the National
Association of Convenience Stores (NACS)
, convenience store foodservice
sales hit new highs in 2022. Here’s a glimpse of the data:

·        
In-store
sales
 accounted
for 33.4% of industry sales, totaling $302.8 billion.

·        
Average
basket spending
 increased to $7.52 per
visit.

·        
Foodservice
sales
 represented 25.6% of
average monthly in-store sales and 36.1% of in-store gross
margin.

·        
Prepared food,
commissary items, and dispensed beverages (hot, cold, and frozen) contributed
to this growth.

The Future of
Convenience Food


As convenience stores
continue to evolve, they’re poised to become even more formidable players in
the food industry. Their commitment to freshness, customization, and quality
positions them as serious contenders. So next time you swing by your local convenience
store, don’t be surprised if you find a delicious meal waiting for you
alongside the chips and candy.

In the battle of fresh
food, convenience stores are proving that sometimes the best bites come from
the most unexpected places.

Don’t over reach.  Are you looking for some fresh food ideations
to drive top line sales and bottom-line profits? 
Interested
in learning how
Foodservice Solutions®
can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient
meal participation
differentiation and individualization?  Email us at:
[email protected] or visit us on our social media sites
by clicking the following links:
Facebook,  LinkedIn, or Twitter

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