Foodservice
Food service plays a significant role in convenience store retail, accounting for 28.5% of sales in 2025. Recent research shows that food quality (44%), the need for quick meals (28%), and high-frequency weekly visits (60%) are key to understanding consumer choices.
Grab-and-go snack decisions in convenience stores are often made within seconds, but the intentions consumers carry—more protein, recognizable ingredients, better nutritional balance—are significantly transforming this category. Bel Brands is launching Babybel Pro, a two-piece cheese pack containing 10 grams of protein and billions of probiotics, targeting the demand for functional snacks. Industry data shows that better-for-you snack sales have grown 10% recently, with about 70% of consumers frequently or always actively choosing healthy foods; the global gut health market exceeds $71 billion and is projected to surpass $105 billion by 2030. Households using GLP-1 medications account for about 23%, further driving demand for smaller-portion, multi-benefit snacks.
ExtraMile convenience stores' supply partnership with Core-Mark has expanded to 1,034 stores, covering the vast majority of its U.S. locations. The partnership focuses on food service innovation, utilizing a 'one-truck' delivery model. ExtraMile plans to enter Texas in 2027 and reach approximately 1,500 total stores by 2029.
The convenience store industry has recently seen a wave of limited-time spicy chicken products: 7-Eleven introduced a spicy chicken sandwich, Circle K partnered with Pepsi to offer Flamin' Hot boneless wings, and Rutter's added several new spicy chicken items. Additionally, Kwik Trip collaborated with Mountain Dew on a new donut flavor, Stewart's launched a peanut butter cup, and UDF's Dulce De La Cruz ice cream entered grocery channels.
McLane Company has promoted Farley Kaiser to Vice President of Retail Foodservice, where she will lead the strategy, growth, and execution of the company's retail foodservice and private brand programs. Kaiser previously served as Senior Director of Culinary Innovation, succeeding the departing Jon Cox.
Kentucky convenience store operator Estepp Energy announced it will introduce PJ's Coffee at its seven locations, using formats ranging from full coffee shops to end-cap counters, to enhance beverage quality and expand fast-food partnerships.
Restaurant brands are increasingly viewing convenience stores as expansion vehicles. This year, Whataburger partnered with Love's Travel Stops and Refuel Operating Co. to open its first travel center location and develop co-built sites. The company has operated in the convenience store channel for 26 years, currently has about 40 locations, and will optimize its non-traditional business layout with new prototype designs in the future.
As consumers view beverages as affordable indulgences amid economic pressure, competition between QSRs and convenience stores in the made-to-order beverage space is intensifying. Brands like McDonald's and Whataburger are introducing innovative products, while convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Wawa continue to lead with established systems. Industry experts suggest that convenience stores should learn from QSRs' menu innovation and digital operations to strengthen their own advantages.
Food and beverage innovation is increasingly critical in convenience store retail, but shrinking consumer spending and price sensitivity pose obstacles. PepsiCo Beverages President Mike Del Pozzo, Driscoll's CEO Soren Bjorn, and Athletic Brewing CEO Bill Shufelt shared their assessments of the current state of the convenience store channel and growth strategies at the WSJ Global Food Forum.
Over the past few weeks, the U.S. convenience store industry has seen the return of several popular limited-time products, new co-branding collaborations, and sports-based menu innovations. From Casey's Bacon Cheeseburger Pizza to Wawa's Gritty smoothie co-branded with the Philadelphia Flyers, to 7-Eleven's World Cup-themed meals, chains are attracting consumers through differentiated food services.