Meals To-Go Up 38% Year Over Year at C-Stores.

Stealth Competition is no longer just between restaurants, grocery stores and supercenters this had better be your wake-up call.  The United States conveniences stores have increased in numbers since 2005 by 8,100 according to Nielsen. The US total store count as of January 2013 stood over 149,000. 

Regular readers of this blog know we have documented the focus of the convenience store sector on ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat fresh prepared food.  Not only were sales on “meals on the go” up 38% year over year but total same store sales were up year-over-year 4.90%.  That number again was the best of any sector in retail foodservice.

Increasingly Convenience Stores are adding Drive-Thru’s which are providing not only direct competition for restaurants but grocery stores as well.   C-stores with drive-thru’s are making most stores items available including basics the ilk of bread, eggs, milk and cereal along with ready-2-eat and heat-N-eat fresh prepared food.  This is FRESH FOOD FAST and MORE.  Consumers are dynamic not static and they want more and they like saving time.  Convenience stores are becoming food retail giants. 

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