Food

C-stores are stealing fast-food tactics. And fast-food customers

Convenience-store foodservice grew 5% last year and is expected to jump another 5.7% this year, according to new data from Intouch Insight.
Circle K pizza
Convenience-store pizza edged out chain pizza in a survey of consumer taste preferences. | Photo: Shutterstock

Made-to-order food, value offerings, loyalty programs. 

Sounds like the hallmarks of any solid fast-food restaurant. Increasingly, however, they are becoming the hallmarks of convenience-store foodservice programs. And the tactics are quickly stealing customers from restaurants. 

C-store foodservice grew 5% last year and is on pace to grow another 5.7% this year, according to the 2025 Convenience Store Trends Report released Tuesday by customer experience solutions and mystery shopping firm Intouch Insight.

In-store sales at convenience stores hit a record $335.5 billion in 2024 and are expected to top $3 trillion by 2028, the report said.

What’s more, 72% of consumers said they now see convenience stores as a “real alternative” to quick-service restaurants, up from 56% last year and 45% in 2022, Intouch Insight said. 

Made-to-order food is now second only to gas as a driver of c-store visits. 

“Somewhere between the roller grill and the espresso machine, convenience stores unlocked something big,” the report said. “C-stores are now crafting crave-worthy meals, building digital loyalty ecosystems, remodeling interiors and serving quality coffee that rivals the people with the green aprons. And customers are responding.”

In many areas, in fact, c-stores are winning out over restaurants when it comes to food, the report found. 

Forty-three percent of consumers said c-store food is just as fresh as food from a grocery store or fast-food restaurant, and 11% of those surveyed said it’s even fresher. 

C-store pizza narrowly beat out large chains (like Domino’s) and mid-sized chains (like Jet’s Pizza) in taste ratings, the report said. 

When it comes to value, three-quarters of c-store consumers said made-to-order food at c-stores is a good value, up 13 points from last year. 

Sandwiches, wraps and paninis are the fastest-growing category of made-to-order food from convenience stores, according to the report. But there has been significant growth in other areas too: Hot meal purchases rose from 29% last year to 35% this year and salads grew 20% to 25% during the same time period. 

“It shows that more customers are shifting from simple snacks to full-on meals and better-for-you options in a space they once overlooked,” the report said. 

Convenience (66%) drives the majority of foodservice sales at convenience stores, but promotions and discounts (11%), taste (7%) and price (6%) are also driving sales that might otherwise go to a fast-food restaurant. 

Most c-store diners opt to eat in the car, either while parked or while driving. But as convenience stores remodel their locations, a growing number of consumers are choosing to dine in-store. Eleven percent say they usually eat inside the c-store, that’s up from just 3% in 2023 and 5% a year ago. 

Members help make our journalism possible. Become a Restaurant Business member today and unlock exclusive benefits, including unlimited access to all of our content. Sign up here.

Multimedia

Exclusive Content

Financing

Wendy's faces more upheaval that it doesn't deserve

The Bottom Line: The fast-food chain early last year decided to replace a successful CEO with a restaurant industry outsider. That outsider has now left, leaving the company with more uncertainty.

Technology

Olo's restaurant tech odyssey will continue in private

Tech Check: After a rocky few years on the public markets, the online ordering giant will continue its quest for “hospitality at scale” under a new owner.

Financing

All restaurants are pricey in California, not just fast food

The Bottom Line: The state’s fast-food wage hasn’t driven up prices at limited-service restaurants, at least compared with full-service chains. That doesn’t mean it’s not expensive there.

Trending

More from our partners