Are C-Store Drive Thru’s the Next Quick Service Restaurant Sector?

Convenience stores with Drive-Thru’s can be found all around the country including Texas, Arizona, and Wisconsin to name but a few locations.  Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® has documented more options for fresh food with portability within the C-store sector in all 50 States and North America than anyone.  Now as important as portability C-stores are finding success with Drive-Thru’s.

Express Convenience Centers locations with Drive-Thru’s are cutting-edge convenience stores with delicious quick-serve food, fresh coffee, and a variety of groceries and beverages. Express Convenience Centers sell everything that is at the Drive-Thru window as well.

If you are on your way home from work, have the kids in the car  and  need to make a quick stop for milk, a Ready-2-Eat Dinner, or Desert your commute gets better and faster because you never have to get out or your car.  Don’t want to get your Hair messed up on a cold, wet and rainy day? Not to worry no longer a problem just drive up and place your order at the Drive-thru window. Consumers say that is “better for you”.

QSR’s (Quick Service Restaurants / Fast Food) has long thrived selling 60% to 65% of their Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food thru the Drive-Thru.  Now drive-thru’s are a stable at Starbucks and companies the ilk of Panera Bread developing new units with Drive-Thru’s.

Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru™ Steven Johnson believes that C-store sector may have a new and growing advantage over legacy chain restaurants. Johnson stated “Convenience stores have brand permission from consumers to bundle mix and match meal options that can be customized into a family meal. At the same time C-stores have the ability to bundle multiple meal periods in one purchase.”

The ability to bundle a gallon of milk, a box of cereal with a hot turkey sandwich and ice cream all to-go in one stop without getting out of the car.  That’s a competitive advantage.  Casey’s General Store you have the added option of delivery which consumers find increasing important.  Thus the incremental brand value from meal component bundling via drive-thru or delivery becomes a real competitive threat to legacy QSR’s.

Visit: www.FoodserviceSolutions.us  if you are interested in learning how Foodservice Solutions 5P’s of Food Marketing can edify your retail food brand while creating a platform for consumer convenient meal participation, differentiation and individualization or you can learn more at Facebook.com/Steven Johnson, Linkedin.com/in/grocerant or twitter.com/grocerant