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You see it everywhere. The convenience store landscape is changing, not just for us, but for the customer. We’re all busy, and customers are looking for more than just a quick gas stop or a bag of chips. They want options. Hot, fresh, and quick food. You might already know this, but foodservice isn’t just a trend. It’s becoming the most important thing for growth in our industry. Think about it. When’s the last time you saw a new store open without a coffee machine or a roller grill? The numbers don’t lie. Adding a quick-service restaurant (QSR) is one of the smartest moves you can make to grow your business.
Why Foodservice is a Game-Changer
Higher margins are a big part of the story. While we’re all fighting over pennies on the gallon and with cigarette sales, foodservice items give you a much bigger markup. Some of them can reach profit margins of up to 50% or more. The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has been saying this for years, and their data backs it up. Customers are willing to pay more for quality, fresh food. Not only does it increase the amount of money you make from each sale, but it also gets people into your store in the first place. You bring in new customers who are specifically looking for a hot sandwich or a slice of pizza. Then, when they’re inside, a lot of them grab a drink or a snack to go with their meal. It’s the classic upsell.
This also builds loyalty. When customers know they can get a reliable, tasty meal at your store, they’ll come back again and again. Consistency is the key here. People love a good routine, and if you become part of their lunch or dinner routine, well, that’s business you can count on. It’s better than just waiting for the next car to pull up to the pump. Anyway, the weather is getting warmer so people are going to be out and about more and that means more people on the roads. I just saw a new report from the National Retail Federation (NRF) about how consumer spending is expected to rise this quarter, which is good news for everyone in retail.
What it Takes to Get Started
So, how do you make this happen? It’s not about just throwing a microwave in the corner. Adding a full-fledged foodservice program requires some serious thought and investment, but the return is worth it. First you need the right equipment: ovens, fryers, prep stations, maybe even a hood vent system if you’re going big. Then you have to figure out your menu. Are you going with simple things like hot dogs and tornados, or are you going to try something more complex like a made-to-order deli? Sourcing the food and managing all those new ingredients will be different from what you’re used to. Then, there’s staffing and training. Your team needs to know how to prepare the food safely and efficiently, and how to handle a rush of customers at lunchtime.
This is where technology comes in. You need a system that can handle more than just gas and cigarettes. A good Point of Sale (POS) system that can integrate foodservice sales with everything else is crucial. You also need to be able to manage inventory for perishable items and track all your sales data. This is how you make sure you’re not throwing out food and that you can see exactly what’s selling well. Keeping track of food safety compliance and all that good stuff is also super important. That’s where a solution like Petrosoft’s QwickServe can make a huge difference. It’s built specifically for this. It handles all the nitty-gritty of QSR operations from the menu board to the back-office, so you can focus on the food and the customer.
The ROI of Hot Food
Yes, it takes money to make money. But the ROI of adding foodservice is strong and you can measure it. NACS data shows that in-store sales for c-stores with a QSR component are significantly higher on average than those without. The average inside gross margin for all c-stores is around 35%, but for foodservice, it’s often more than 50%. A well-run foodservice operation can bring in a ton of new revenue, sometimes accounting for a huge chunk of your overall inside sales.
With the right tech partner, the whole process of adding hot food to your store is a lot easier than you think. A scalable solution is what you need, whether you’re just adding a roller grill or a full kitchen setup. The right POS system and back-office support can handle menu changes, pricing updates, and all the reporting you need to see exactly how your new foodservice program is performing, which helps you reduce waste and maximize profits.
Ready to Cook Up Some Profits?
Adding a hot food program to your c-store is a smart move that can drive profits, increase customer loyalty, and set your business apart from the competition, and it’s not as hard as it might seem. You just need a plan and the right technology to support you.
If you’re ready to get started, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation and let’s talk about how you can add a foodservice program that’s perfect for your store.
