With the 2025 NACS Show recently held in Las Vegas, it was clear that convenience store foodservice is undergoing a transformation. Retailers, equipment manufacturers, and technology providers showed solutions aimed at turning convenience stores into genuine food-destinations.
Convenience stores are no longer just a stop for a soda and snack. Consumers expect freshly prepared meals, premium coffee and service speed that rivals quick-service restaurants. According to Foodservice Equipment & Supplies (FE&S) and data from Technomic, convenience-store foodservice sales grew 5 % in 2024 and are projected to grow another 5.7 % in 2025, outpacing QSRs (which grew 4.1 % in 2024 and are projected to rise 4.7 % in 2025).
The Shift in Foodservice Expectations
Today’s c-store shoppers demand more than convenience. They want quality, variety, and value. Items such as breakfast sandwiches, pizza, burritos and bakery goods have become everyday staples. Premium coffee programs and made-to-order options are drawing new traffic. FE&S highlights how foodservice is now viewed as one of the most profitable categories inside the store.
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) supports this: in 2024, foodservice accounted for 27.7 % of in-store sales and 38.6 % of in-store gross margin dollars in U.S. convenience stores.
Equipment Becomes a Differentiator
Competing with QSRs poses challenges for c-stores. Many stores have limited footprint, fewer kitchen staff and may lack infrastructure for full ventilation systems. As a result, equipment selection becomes crucial. Operators are seeking solutions that are compact, ventless, versatile and easy to operate.
This is where the work of our brands comes in. For example, our ventless rapid-cook ovens allow an operator to install fresh food-programs without major hood installations. Our models such as the Double Batch and Bullet deliver high throughput and flexibility. The TurboChef Double Batch oven features two independent cavities, uses air impingement at speeds up to 50 mph and offers ventless operation via a catalytic converter. The TurboChef Bullet oven combines radiant heat, high-speed impingement and RF energy to cook items rapidly and consistently in small footprints.
Operators can thus serve breakfast sandwiches in the morning, transition to hot melts and pizza in the afternoon, and test limited-time offers with minimal downtime. Simultaneously, the CookTek induction warming solutions complement such ovens by keeping items at perfect serving temperature without open flame or added ventilation.
The Road Ahead
Foodservice at c-stores will continue to evolve, and the lines between convenience stores, QSRs and cafés will blur further. NACS highlights that while foot traffic growth may slow, the value proposition of foodservice is increasing. Operators who invest in smart equipment, flexible menu platforms and efficient operations will have a strong competitive edge.
TurboChef ovens are ventless, high throughput solutions built for tight footprints, fast service, and high expectations. Paired with CookTek induction warmers, they allow operators to serve fresh, consistent food in any environment.
Sources
Negrete-Rousseau, Rita. “Today’s C-Store Foodservice: Ready to Take on Its Rival.” Foodservice Equipment & Supplies Magazine, October 1, 2025.
National Association of Convenience Stores. “C-Store Foodservice Delivered Exceptional Growth in 2024.” NACS, 2025.