C-Stores Win the Quick Stop, but Shoppers Want More

New Acosta Group research identifies pathways to capture more food and beverage occasions

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Sept. 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Convenience stores have secured a powerful place in Americans' everyday routines, with more than half of c-store shoppers purchasing food or beverages from the channel at least once a week. But new Acosta Group research finds an opportunity to turn those frequent visits into more food and beverage occasions by delivering what shoppers say they want next: better value, higher-quality food and more freshly prepared choices.

The study, released ahead of the 2026 NACS Show, surveyed 775 U.S. convenience-store shoppers and examined how c-stores compete with grocery, mass retail, fast food, coffee shops and other channels for shoppers' food and beverage purchases.

C-stores are particularly strong when immediacy matters. Road trips and travel days are a c-store occasion for 37% of shoppers, while 32% turn to the channel for a quick snack and 32% because it is the closest option. Yet these shoppers are highly channel-fluid: 81% also purchase food or beverages from fast-food restaurants, 78% from mass merchandisers and 77% from traditional grocery stores.

"Convenience stores have earned an incredibly valuable position with shoppers because they solve real needs quickly, but convenience alone isn't enough to win every occasion," said Kathy Risch, SVP, Shopper Insights and Thought Leadership for Acosta Group. "Shoppers are telling us that value and food quality can change the equation. When c-stores pair their inherent advantage in speed and accessibility with fresh, high-quality food and beverage offerings, they have an opportunity to compete for occasions shoppers may be taking elsewhere today."

MORE CHANNELS COMPETE FOR THE CONVENIENCE OCCASION

The competition extends well beyond the c-store channel. Fast-food restaurants lead for quick meals and cravings, while coffee shops compete strongly for beverages and indulgent occasions — putting c-stores up against channels that can combine convenience with specialized food and beverage offerings. Grocery and mass retailers, meanwhile, lead for fill-in and stock-up trips.

Value emerged as the clearest opportunity for future growth. Fifty-three percent of shoppers said better value for the money would make them more likely to purchase food and beverages from convenience stores in the future, followed by higher-quality food at 47% and more freshly prepared meals and snacks at 35%.

The opportunity can be as straightforward as creating a more compelling meal solution. A sandwich paired with a beverage was the most appealing c-store combination tested, selected by 62% of shoppers. The demand is already there: 84% reported purchasing prepared food from a c-store in the past three months.

"The next phase of convenience is about getting more out of an interaction retailers already have with the shopper," said Hobart Walker, SVP, Small Format Division, Acosta Sales Agency. "The right assortment for the market can turn a quick stop into a larger basket while giving shoppers more reasons to come back."

FRESH FOOD EXPANDS THE OPPORTUNITY

Health and wellness presents another potential growth avenue. Nearly three-quarters of shoppers said healthier or better-for-you foods are at least somewhat important when shopping c-stores, with freshly prepared foods, fresh fruits and vegetables and high-protein options generating the greatest interest.

"The c-store shopper isn't one-dimensional, and neither is the competitive landscape," said Jami McDermid, President, CROSSMARK. "Brands need to understand which products and occasions can break through, then make sure those products are available, visible and ready to convert demand at the shelf."

For c-stores looking to capture more meal occasions, the competitive set extends well beyond the convenience channel.

"Consumers aren't thinking about channels when hunger hits; they're deciding what can satisfy the occasion," said Travis King, President, CORE Away From Home. "That creates an opportunity for c-stores to strengthen fresh food and foodservice programs and compete for meals that might otherwise go to a restaurant."

Acosta Group's Acosta, CROSSMARK and CORE Away From Home agencies will bring their respective retail, sales and foodservice expertise to the 2026 NACS Show, helping brands and retailers translate changing shopper behavior into strategies for winning more convenience-store occasions.

Research for the C-Store Occasions study was conducted Aug. 26-31, 2026, among 775 U.S. shoppers who purchased food or beverages from a convenience store within the prior three months. Respondents are members of Acosta Group's proprietary Shopper Community.

ABOUT ACOSTA GROUP

Acosta Group is a collective of the most trusted retail, marketing and foodservice agencies empowering brands and retailers to win in the modern marketplace. By delivering transformative, commerce-focused solutions and more than a century of expertise, Acosta Group connects the company's partners with people at every point in the consumer journey.

Comprised of Acosta, ActionLink, ADW, CORE Away From Home, CROSSMARK, Mosaic, Premium Retail Services, and Product Connections, Acosta Group understands and anticipates evolving consumer needs, fueling accelerated performance to connect tomorrow's commerce today. For more information, please visit acosta.group

SOURCE Acosta Group