10 Convenience Store Food Service Trends To Look Out For

Convenience stores have come a long way from being just a place to grab a quick snack or drink. They have transformed into a one-stop-shop for a variety of products, including food. In recent years, convenience store owners and operators have stepped up their game by offering a wider variety of fresh and healthy food options to their customers.

Convenience stores have evolved from just being a place to grab a quick snack to being a destination for fresh and healthy food options. With these food service trends in mind, convenience stores are sure to stay relevant and continue to meet the demands of their customers.

Here are some food service trends in convenience stores that you should look out for:

1. Fresh food options

Gone are the days when convenience stores only offered pre-packaged food. Many convenience stores now have their own kitchens and offer freshly prepared food options such as salads, sandwiches, and hot meals.

2. Healthy food options 

More and more people are becoming health-conscious, and convenience stores have taken notice. Many convenience stores now offer healthier food options such as fresh fruits, vegetables, and protein bars.

Healthy and fresh food options are becoming more and more popular in convenience stores.

3. Grab-and-go meals 

With busy lifestyles, customers are looking for quick and easy meals that they can take with them on the go. Convenience stores are meeting this demand by offering grab-and-go meals such as pre-made sandwiches, wraps, and salads.

4. Customizable options 

Customers love having the ability to customize their meals. Convenience stores are now offering customizable options such as build-your-own sandwich or salad stations.

5. Ethnic food options 

With the world becoming more diverse, convenience stores are offering a wider variety of ethnic food options to cater to different tastes. Customers can now find options such as sushi, burritos, and curry in convenience stores. Check out this article by Eater to see 20 gas stations serving up great food.

Tacos from a gas station in Atlanta, GA. Image rights belong to Eater.com.

6. Specialty beverages 

Coffee and soda are no longer the only options when it comes to convenience store beverages. Many convenience stores now offer specialty beverages such as cold-pressed juices, kombucha, and craft sodas.

7. Digital ordering

Convenience stores are taking advantage of technology by offering digital ordering options. Customers can now order food and drinks through mobile apps and pick them up in-store.

8. Sustainability

As customers become more environmentally conscious, convenience stores are offering sustainable food options such as locally sourced produce and reusable containers.

9. Food partnerships

Convenience stores are partnering with popular food brands and restaurants to offer their products in-store. Customers can now find options such as Starbucks coffee and Subway sandwiches in convenience stores.

10. Late-night options

Convenience stores are catering to customers who need late-night food options by offering hot food and snacks all day and night. Customers can now find options such as pizza, hot dogs, and chicken wings in convenience stores.

In order to keep up with the latest food service trends in convenience stores, it’s important to have efficient and reliable equipment. This includes refrigeration units to keep fresh food options at the right temperature, cooking equipment to prepare hot meals, and digital ordering systems to streamline the ordering process.

For convenience store owners and operators, choosing the right equipment and smallwares can be a daunting task. That’s where companies like Essentialware come in. Essentialware is a trusted provider of operationally essential commercial kitchen accessories. We offer a wide range of high-heat resistant oven gloves and mitts, non-stick speed oven baskets, and release sheets for bun toasters and clam-shell grills. All are FDA-compliant, efficient, durable, and reliable.

In order to stay competitive in the convenience store industry, it’s essential to keep up with the latest food service trends and invest in efficient equipment. By doing so, convenience stores can continue to meet the needs of their customers while also improving their bottom line.