Convenience stores are no longer just quick stops for fuel, coffee, and packaged snacks. Across North America, the channel continues to evolve into a true food destination, with operators investing more heavily in prepared foods, grab-and-go meals, fresh bakery, beverages, and impulse-friendly snack formats.
Recent NACS reporting shows just how important foodservice has become to the convenience channel. In 2024, foodservice accounted for 27.7% of in-store sales and 38.6% of in-store gross margin dollars at U.S. convenience stores. Prepared food represented the largest share of foodservice sales, showing continued demand for quick, ready-to-eat options throughout the day.
This shift creates a strong opportunity for packaged bakery. Products that are easy to merchandise, simple to grab, and ready to enjoy can help convenience retailers expand their food offering without adding unnecessary operational complexity. Individually wrapped donuts, 2-packs, donut holes, clamshells, and thaw-and-sell formats all support the kind of fast, flexible food experience today’s convenience shoppers expect.
Industry coverage also points to convenience stores becoming more focused on fresh offerings across multiple dayparts, combining grab-and-go options with prepared food programs to meet changing consumer habits. For bakery suppliers, this means convenience retail is becoming an increasingly valuable channel for products that deliver both indulgence and operational ease.
At CT Bakery, we create packaged donut solutions designed for today’s fast-moving convenience environments — helping operators offer craveable bakery products that are easy to stock, easy to serve, and easy for customers to enjoy on the go.
Suggested source links
NACS — C-Store Foodservice Delivered Exceptional Growth in 2024
Best source for the foodservice sales and margin statistics.
NACS Magazine — Global Foodservice Trends
Useful support for the idea that convenience stores are becoming destinations for fresh offerings across all dayparts.
NielsenIQ — The Now and Future of Convenience Stores
Good supporting source for the grab-and-go nature of convenience stores and quick inventory turnover.