Posted by Middleby May 8, 2024 5:30 PM

Keeping C-Store Fried Foods Fresher, Longer

They’re called convenience stores for a reason. C-stores provide today’s consumers with a growing selection of groceries, auto supplies, sporting goods, medicine, and prepared foods. While the wide variety of items for purchase is important for attracting consumers, the prepared food component continues to change the landscape of c-store operations.

As the foodservice industry sees a blurring of operation types, these changes also exist in convenience stores. Today’s c-stores can look more and more like fast casual or quick-serve restaurants, providing a wider range of food options. As more drivers use electrical vehicles, the time drivers spend at roadside establishments will increase even more. This means the changes in driving habits will continue to evolve the c-store itself.

C-Store Stats and Facts from the National Association for Convenience Stores (NACS)

As a leader in convenience and fuel retailing, NACS suggests 80 percent of c-stores sell gasoline and service over 1,000 customers per day. Whether it’s a charging station or a fuel pump, servicing drivers will always be a great way to attract customers to a convenience store. The reality, though, is profits aren’t made at the pump. They come from purchases inside the store. On average, customers spend between three to four minutes inside a convenience store. That means every second counts. It also means that the items available inside the store must be desirable, or there’s a chance the customer won’t leave the gas pump island at all.

How? Prepared foods. In 2022, the average sales of prepared foods in convenience stores in the U.S. was more than $250,000 per store. This is more than twice the amount of sales in the hot dispensed beverage, cold dispensed beverage, and frozen dispensed beverage segments — combined.

What Food Attracts Today’s Customers?

Many consumers are turning towards health-focused food options, and sales suggest this category could be profitable. However, today’s c-store consumers still like comfort food classics. It’s important to consider a combination of both healthy foods and indulgent foods. When it comes to indulgent comfort foods, fried foods will always be king. And in the fried food space, there are a few fan favorites that operators should consider.

French fries are a simple “must have” in any c-store fried food program, followed closely by chicken. The worldwide annual growth for takeout fried chicken is expected to hit $10.52 billion by 2032, with much of that growth coming in the North American markets. Another fried food favorite to consider is poppers. This higher profile offering could lead to increased profits.

How to Keep Fried Foods Crispier in C-Stores

To ensure convenience and efficiency in c-store foodservice, made-to-order isn’t always the easiest of options. Sometimes, it’s better to make fried foods in quantity and then hold them in quality-preserving spaces. Serving fried foods like French fries or chicken nuggets can be a good investment but hard to keep crisp if not done correctly. And no one wants soggy fries. By keeping track of traffic flows, operators can schedule batches to come out at the right times.

Using a Carter-Hoffmann Crisp ‘N Hold fried food warmer will help extend the life of fried food. With gentle air circulation to remove extra steam, the Crisp ‘N Hold quickly brings food to a proper holding temperature. This allows food to stay crisp and hot for up to four times longer than heat lamps. A Crisp ‘N Hold is perfect for your convenience store’s current and future foot traffic, available in countertop, drop-in, and floor-standing units.