Foodservice
Convenience foodservice sales on the rise
December 28, 2022
Visits to convenience stores for foodservice items, like beverages and prepared foods, were up 2% in the three months ending November compared to a year ago, The NPD Group reported in a press release.
Consumer spending on foodservice menu items at convenience stores was up 8% for the combined months of September, October and November versus a year ago. Units and dollars of foodservice products shipped from broadline foodservice distributors to convenience stores increased by 3% and 13%, respectively, compared to a year ago.
The breakfast and morning snack periods, or morning meal daypart, which accounted for almost 25% of foodservice visits to convenience stores, grew traffic by 3% and was a key contributor to total visit growth in the most recent quarter ending in November.
The evening snack period, which increased by 4%, was also vital to foodservice traffic growth at convenience stores during the period. Traffic at lunch, typically most popular for convenience store foodservice, was up 2% compared to a year ago. At dinner, foodservice visits also increased by 2% year-over-year. Traffic at the afternoon snack daypart was flat compared to a year ago.
Beverage-only orders represent over half of convenience store foodservice visits and drive growth for the channel overall. However, the popularity of burgers and breakfast sandwiches ordered at convenience stores throughout the day has also spurred growth.
Burger servings increased by 12% in the quarter ending in November compared to a year ago. Servings of different varieties of prepared breakfast sandwiches from convenience stores increased by 8% over a year ago.
