Operations

Study finds convenience stores on par with QSRs

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June 28, 2022

Are convenience stores the new QSRs? According to a study by Bluedot, a customer arrival platform, data from a deport indicates that consumers are putting c-stores on par with fast food restaurants, according to a press release.

The survey sampled 1,570 American adults aged 18 and older in May.

Nearly 6 in 10 consider purchasing a meal from a convenience store when stopping for fast food. The research also uncovered significant demand for mobile ordering, drive-thru and curbside pickup. Sixty-one percent of consumers state they would visit a c-store more often if all were available.

"The data supports what industry leaders have been saying for some time — c-stores are now competing head-to-head with QSRs. Clearly, the investments c-store brands have been making into foodservice initiatives are paying off," Emil Davityan, Bluedot co-founder and CEO, said in the release. "The data also strongly signals that there's an opportunity for gas and c-store brands to do much more with loyalty programs and mobile strategies to boost retention, especially if discounts are determining consumer preferences and habits. It's another page out of the restaurant industry's playbook that could really level the playing field."

Other findings from the report include:

• Convenience stores top of mind when consumers consider stopping for fast food. Fifty-nine percent consider purchasing a meal from a convenience store when stopping for fast food.
• 1 in 3 consumers visit convenience stores for fast food — 27% for grab-and-go refrigerated food, 25% for hot food (e.g., hot dogs, pizza), and 21% for made-to-order food like custom sandwiches.
• Consumers walk out if there's a line. Fifty-seven percent will leave and skip purchasing if there's a line in the convenience store. Of those, 16% if there's one person in line, 30% if there are two people in line, and 54% if there are three or more people in line.